“In a good way?”
“You’re part of his world now—hockey, travel, hanging out with his niece—and you’re still yourself, only more… steady? Lighthearted? I don’t know, but all of this is wonderful.”
That shot a spike of warmth up my neck. “Careful where you say that. My mom might stage an intervention!”
“She’s not your compass,” Erica said, “And she’s definitely not ready for what’s coming next.”
My pulse picked up. “I’ve thought of what might come too, and it kinda terrifies me.”
She took a moment to let my words sink in. “You’re not being swept away; you’re walking it, and he’s walking it with you. He’s showing you he’ll make room for you in his big, loud world.”
I swallowed hard. “What would I do without you, my disaster hotline?”
“You’d still be fine. I love you, babe. Also, check your email. I’m sending you a mini-Hollywood sign to hang above your door. ‘WAG Entrance Only’.”
I laughed. “Smart-ass.”
“Always.” She blew me a kiss, then the screen went blank.
I tucked my phone away, and sank back into the grass under the tree. The breeze brushed my cheek, carrying the scent of wildflower. Cassy parted her legs to block a boy charging through with the ball. He nutmegged her clean, and she just blinked at the ball spinning away.
I laughed. She finally took off after it, ponytail bouncing.
Watching her light up on the field—unfiltered joy in motion—something inside me softened. Maybe falling wasn’t the only height of a perfect morning, maybe it was this too: the steadiness of small moments that made you want to stay.
Then my phone buzzed again. A message from Sean.
Sean:Hey, where are you two causing trouble?
I smiled and tapped back.
Me:Hello.Soccer match. Cassy’s out here channeling her inner Messi. Sport clearly runs in the Murphy bloodline.
Sean:\*laughing emoji\*Of course it does. So, Abby’s cooking up a wild idea for a celebration for the win. But really, she’s still high off her weekend with Jeff.
I snorted.
Me:I’d be giddy too… What does she have in mind?
Sean:She’s decided a dinner isn’t enough. She wants college-town style music, bar, dance floor, and probably shoes she'll regret wearing tomorrow.
I laughed.
Me:She’s ending her weekend-long date with a bang\*dancing emoji\*Love it! But on Sunday night?
Sean:There’ll be a proper team celebration later, but this one’s pure Abby. She’s already picked out her playlist.
I felt a flutter of excitement. The kind that made you want to say yes before you even knew the details.
Me:Pulling an all-nighter and surviving Monday on caffeine? Count me in. This win deserves a little Abby-spark plug.
Sean:Glad you’re on board. And there’s more than one win on my calendar.\*winking emoji\*
I bit my lip, smiling at the screen. A wink across the distance, and the idea of dancing in a college bar felt like a memory waiting to happen.
Later, I lifted my head to the low, throaty roar of an engine. A second later, the sound cut out with a final growl. A motorcycle. My heart thumped, a reflex I couldn't quite label. Fight, flight, or flirt? Too soon to tell.
I sat up and peeked at Cassy, curled on the other side of the couch; she shifted but didn’t wake. She must be worn out from soccer.
