Page 66 of Buzzer Beater

“It is a major decision, but she may surprise you. I think you should talk to her.”

I chuckled. “I’ve been hearing that a lot this morning.”

“Good, so do it.” She stood and walked away, in the opposite direction of where Lucy was waiting. I guess she was giving us privacy.

I went back and slipped into the cabana. Lucy looked up and gave me a questioning look. “What was that about?”

I sat down next to her and held her hands. “I just needed to clear up some things with her. Make sure I had her blessing.”

She smirked. “Her blessing for what?”

“I’ve really enjoyed these past few days, Lucy. More than enjoyed. They’ve been the best days of my life, and it’s because I’ve spent them with you. I know we just reconnected. I know there are a lot of barriers in the way, but I want this. I want us to try.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head just slightly. “Colin, what are you asking?”

“I want you to stay. Just two extra days. I’ll take care of your room and flight back. I just want more time.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that at the end of all of this, we’re going separate ways.”

I squeezed her hands. “Maybe temporarily.”

“What does that mean?”

“I want us. I want everything we had back, but I know that isn’t an option, so I want a new us. I want you and me to be together.”

She sighed. “We live a thousand miles away.”

“It’s a good thing there are cars and planes and phones and cameras.”

Her shoulders drooped. “How long can that last? Colin, I feel like doing any of this will just draw out the pain. We should just appreciate the time we had and that’s it.”

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She was really able to just walk away? Like this hadn’t happened?

“I can’t do that.”

She sighed. “It’s what has to happen. We have two separate lives. We both know the long-distance thing didn’t work for us.”

I almost rolled my eyes. She was really bringing up the Olympics again. “Lucy, I didn't cheat on you.”

She pulled on my hands. “No, I know. That’s not what I meant. I was miserable while you were away. I hardly made it through my classes, I didn’t live my life anymore. I was just waiting for the next chance I had to talk to you.”

I locked my eyes on hers. “It was the same for me. It was so hard to focus through games and practice.”

“So why do that to ourselves again? You have no time to take off and visit me. My job keeps me so busy, there’s no way I could take vacation time, especially not after this trip. I just don’t see how it could work.”

She’d thought about it. Knowing that was enough to encourage me. If she’d thought about it, she wanted a future with me. Even a little bit. I just needed to convince her.

“Think about it? Please?”

She hesitated, then nodded.

“I have to head to practice, but can I see you after lunch? We can go swimming or lay out.” I knew I sounded overly hopeful, but I didn’t care. I was over my pride when it came to her.

A bit of the joy of yesterday was missing from her eyes, but I was determined to make it up to her. “Sure. I’ll meet you at the main beach at one.”

I leaned forward and kissed her cheek, then left the tent before she could call me out for crossing that line.

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