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“Me either.” I get up and start to get dressed.

Breakfast sounds perfect.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Maya

I leave for work earlier than usual on Monday. Serena has an early call so we drive in together. I’ve got both Reid’s and Cash’s vehicles at my disposal, but it’s always better to sit in traffic with a friend.

“I hope we didn’t give your pool the ick at the party,” I say once we’re en route.

She laughs. “We were going to have it cleaned anyway. I’m sure a couple of drinks made their way in there along with whatever you did.” She pretends to give me the side eye.

“Sorry not sorry?”

“I’ll bet.” She smirks. “So, I guess things are going well?”

“Yeah, they are. He’s a great guy. I think I love him, Serena.” My voice drops.

She smiles. “Why do you say it like that? Is it a secret?”

“Well, I haven’t told him yet, but it feels like it happened really fast.”

“Look at West and me. Warp speed. I haven’t even known him a year and we’re already married.”

“Oh, that was really fast. I guess I didn’t know the timeline.”

“We met in mid-January. It’s been just under eleven months.”

“You knew? Like, no doubts at all?”

“None.” Serena grins. “You get this feeling deep in your chest and it takes hold. You can’t shake it. The idea of living without him wasn’t fathomable. There’s no way to deny that kind of feeling.”

“How is that different from new relationship excitement?”

“You don’t have butterflies—that’s new relationship excitement—you have calm, steady love. Something strong and solid, that doesn’t allow you to second-guess yourself. You just know.”

“That’s how I feel,” I admit. “But there is a little second-guessing. I don’t know if he’s on the same page. He’s starting to open up, to let me in, but I don’t know if he’s ready for forever.”

“The timeline doesn’t have to be fall in love and immediately get married. West and I skipped some of the fun stuff, but our relationship is different. I have Joey and he needs stability. And West was more than ready for forever. That doesn’t mean you and Cash have to rush. You can do things one step at a time. You can have the surprise engagement and the year-long wedding planning. It’s your life—live it however the two of you want. If you both need more time, take it.”

“I think I’m scared because he’s so amazing. I don’t know what I would do if he left me.”

“I have a feeling, after watching the two of you together, he’s not going anywhere.”

I smile. “There’s a chance you might be right.”

She giggles. “I’m totally right.”

“So, how do you and West handle being apart during the long road trips?”

“Honestly, I’m too busy to miss him much now that the show has started. Between work and Joey, I barely have time to breathe. We do talk every night, though, even if it’s just a few minutes.”

“You make a point of making time together.”

“Yes. It’s kind of a rule. I mean, something we discussed. A full day never goes by where we don’t at least text. There are times when I’m in bed before he’s off the ice, and I’m already on set by the time he’s up, but if that’s the case, there’s always a text. I’ll say good night, hope you had a good game, I love you. Stuff like that.”

“It’s a good rule.”