Page 125 of Uniquely in Love

Sophia

Are you okay?

I heard that Owen’s been in a bad mood ever since they left.

Ellie

Honestly, babe, I don’t even know.

I’m just… numb.

We’ve never fought like that before.

I’m here if you need me. Justsay the word.

Even if it’s just to bring over a bottle of wine to commiserate. I’ve had my fair share of shitty breakups.

Not that this is a break-up. Just… I’m in your corner.

Thank you. You’re such a good friend. I’m lucky to have you.

Right back at ya, Ellie.

“You look like shit,”Maggie said, leaning against the door of my classroom a few hours later. Both of us had the same period as our planning period, though I wasn’t exactly getting any planning done. At least I was here, trying to put on my best face for my students.

I blew out a breath. My eyes were red and puffy from crying. “Yeah, well, I feel like it, too.”

“What happened? Did you and your hockey boy break up?”

“Not exactly. We just got in a fight, I guess?” Now I just felt like I was being dramatic.

No, we hadn’t broken up. He’d had to go, and yes, he’dleft, but he looked just as devastated as I had. The pain in his eyes had broken my heart. Because I’d done that to him. I was the one who was ruining everything.Again.

I couldn’t let us go another five years apart. I wanted him forever. Wanted to be by his side every day for the rest of my life. Wanted the future I’d been dreaming of. He was the only one who held the key to my heart.

She came over to me, rubbing my back. “Then why are you crying, babe?”

“Because he left. And it just brought up all these oldfeelings and I feel like my life is imploding. I want to be with him. But I just…” I dropped my head against my desk. “What am I going to do, Mags?”

“Go after him.” She quirked an eyebrow like it was obvious. “Tell him how you feel. You love him, right?”

Shaking my head, I frowned. “You say that like it’s that simple. I can’t justgo.He’s gone on a long away series, and I have a job. I have to teach.”

She nodded. “Well, I guess that’s fair. When does he get home?”

“Like, a week and a half,” I said, biting my thumbnail, pretending I didn’t have the Seals game schedule basically memorized at this point.

Maggie hummed, looking deep in thought. “Is there a game this weekend?”

“Yes. Why?”

She shrugged. “Just a thought.”

Could I really book a flight and justgo?Show up at his game and tell him how I felt? That I’d never planned on moving out. That I’d told my landlord I was happy where I was. That I loved him.

My god, I loved him so much.

My friend headed out of my classroom, turning to look at me as she got to the doorway. “Go get your man, Ellie. Don’t wait to tell him.”

---