Page 52 of Made Better Together

“Seasons starting strong,” Bree says once we’re back in the locker room.

Undefeated still.

Immediately after I wake up Friday, my mind slips to the dinner with Connor, and since my classes are over the week, I allow myself to linger there for a beat.

I can’t wait for tonight. God, we’re finally going to have some real time together.

Maybe I should take a nap after practice, so I’m feeling good for the date?

I can hear Bree’s voice in my head. Why, think you might be up late tonight?

I smile involuntarily at the question. For sure, Connor has not lost his physical appeal to me. That hiking photo he DM’d me, with him all sweaty in those shorts, biceps on display, slutty little glasses? Delicious.

In reality, when I get home at four, I lay back on the bed, playing on my phone instead of napping, scrolling through a popular influencer’s account, SoccerQueens. About five minutes later, a knock comes on the suite door.

“Eden, someone’s here to see you.”

It sounds like Becky, who lives two rooms over.

“Thanks,” I shout back.

It can’t be Connor, right? A memory flashes of when I gave him my dorm room number a few weeks ago. We’re supposed to meet at the restaurant in a couple of hours, though.

Just in case, I sneak into the bathroom and brush my hair. My face is bare, but whatever. It’s glowy from my post-shower moisturizer at least.

I step quickly—not race, never race for a guy—down the stairs.

Only…it’s not Connor.

It’s my Mom. What the heck?

“Surprise!”

I walk toward her open arms and give her a hug.

“Oh my gosh? Hi!”

She pulls back slightly, wearing a big smile. “Hi, sweetheart! I hope you don’t mind me just showing up.”

“Not at all, but how?”

She steps out of our hold and pulls up the strap of her bag, which had slipped off her shoulder. “The neuroscience institute in Miami that funds a lot of my research asked me to fly in for their annual meeting yesterday. I thought I’d take advantage to come see my girl.”

I note a couple of my dormmates peering out of their rooms, likely curious about the commotion. “Oh, this is amazing. Come to my room.” She nods as I start leading the way. “How long are you here?”

“My flight leaves Sunday. I’m sorry I didn’t give you any warning—I wanted it to be a surprise. Am I messing you up?”

I shake my head. Time with my mom on the East Coast? It’s more precious than anything.

Even the date.

We reach my door, and then I lead her inside my suite. “Not at all. I have a game on Sunday afternoon, if you’ll still be here. Also, I was going to dinner with a friend later tonight…”

“Well, she can join us? Or I can join you, I guess?” Mom says with a little laugh behind me.

I turn around to face her after placing my key card on my kitchen counter. “He.”

Her eyebrow rises. “He?”