Page 123 of Just One Season
“I’ve heard about this fake dating situation. You know, one of my sisters started out by fake dating her husband. It’s not as uncommon a situation as you might think…” Stella’s voice trails off, inviting questions, but I barely register her words.
“Why would you think I’m thinking of Kellen?” I attempt nonchalance and sip my wine.
“The state of denial you are in is extraordinary, babes.” January rolls her eyes.
“I don’t know what you mean.” But my voice cracks, and I drain half my glass to soothe my throat.
“Lucy. You banged him in a hotel bathroom on New Year’s Eve.”
Stella gasps. “Amazing. Ethan and I have a thing for public places as well.” Her face takes on a dreamy expression.
January grins at Stella. “And this is why I hang out with you.” She turns back to me. “But that bathroom situation is so not you. It’s never been you.”
“That word is so harsh,” I grumble.
“What word? Oh, banged? Could’ve been worse. I could’ve said fu?—”
“Please stop.”
“Okay. How about: made sweet love?” January raises her eyebrows. “On a public bathroom counter?”
I cringe. “Ew on multiple levels.”
January and Stella laugh, and I join them.
“I was trying out being adventurous,” I say.
“Bullshit.”
“Please invite me to the wedding,” Stella begs.
“Wedding??” I look at Stella and then January, who are both grinning.
“You and this hockey player. Because now I’m wondering how much of a chance we really have to convince you to move to London.”
“Trust me, there’s no wedding.” I shake my head aggressively, then make a miserable sound and rub my forehead with two fingers.
“Yes. You’re right, Lucy.” January leans over and puts her hand on my forearm. “No wedding. But here’s whatisgoing to happen. You’ll get this job and move to England. It will be amazing. You’ll travel all the time to fantastic European cities. You’ll make lots ofnew friends—like Stella. You’ll meet a sexy English man who will make you forget all about Kellen Bassey. Could be a rugby player.” She tilts her head. “Could be a Scottish man. Or Irish. French? They can be assholes but sexy as fuck.”
“I repeat: rugby players.” Stella nods knowingly.
“But what about my dog, Janny?” I stare at January with a hint of desperation.
“Not your dog, remember, Lulu?” January shakes her head.
“Yeah.” I wonder how MBM is doing at the Delightful Doggy Palace. It’s primarily a daycare, but they also have space to board a limited number of dogs. I’ve been checking the live video feed, but January’s already swatted my hand away from my phone three times to stop me from obsessively peeking.
I might have found a permanent home for the stupid mutt.
Lina has a neighbor family who just lost their dog, and they’re interested in adopting MBM. I already met up with one of the moms at a green area in the middle of Fort Collins, and she laughed and cooed at my dog, who traitorously licked her hand and her face. We made plans to meet again with the other mom before they make a final decision.
Fiona is returning to the Blizzard. She’s scheduled to transition back at the end of February, so if I get this job, I’m free to go basically any time after that.
But what if I don’t get the Winchester FC job?
And what if my dad comes through with a real job offer? Surely I can’t take it, even if I don’t get the England job. I can’t do that to myself.
“Jesus, babes. Are you in there? Do you need to check your dog’s social media feed or whatever?”
