"No. But I'm choosing to trust her." I lift Lucy's hand. Press a kiss to her knuckles. "Because I need somewhere we can be alone. Really alone. And this is the best I could do on short notice."
She looks at the cabin. Then back at me. "How long have you been planning this?"
"Since you texted me this afternoon. Since I knew where this was heading." I search her face. "Is this okay? We don't have to stay. We can just drive around if you want. Or I can take you home."
"No." The word comes fast. Certain. "Show me inside."
The cabin is cold but dry. I flip the breaker by the door and lights flicker on. There's a woodstove in the corner with kindling already laid. A worn couch with faded cushions. A table with two mismatched chairs. A doorway leading to what looks like a bedroom.
It's not much. But it's private. And right now, that's everything.
Lucy walks the small space while I get the fire going. She runs her fingers along the back of the couch. Peeks into the bedroom. Comes back to stand by the stove as flames catch and start to spread.
"This is nice," she says. "Cozy."
"It's falling apart."
"It's private." She turns to face me. "No one knows we're here except Mrs. Henderson. And she's not going to tell."
"I hope not."
"Even if she does." Lucy steps closer. "Even if the whole town knows by morning. I don't regret this."
The words hit me square in the chest. Because she means them. I can see it in her eyes. This woman who spent her whole life playing it safe just walked into a situation that could blow up spectacularly, and she's not running.
She's choosing me anyway.
I close the distance between us. Frame her face with my hands. "You're sure about this? About us? Because once we start, there's no going back."
"I'm sure." She goes up on her toes. Brings her mouth close to mine. "I've been sure since I was fifteen years old. I'm just finally brave enough to do something about it."
I kiss her. Slow. Deep. Trying to pour everything I can't say into the press of my lips. She melts into me. Her hands slide up my chest and into my hair. The kiss deepens and I lose myself in the taste of her.
When we break apart, we're both breathing hard.
"We need to talk," I say.
"Now?" She sounds incredulous.
"Now." I take her hand. Lead her to the couch. Sit and pull her down next to me. "Before this goes any further. Before I lose the ability to think straight. We need to be clear about what we're doing."
She settles into the cushions. Tucks her legs under her. Watches me with eyes that are still dark from kissing. "Okay. Talk."
I take a breath. Try to organize thoughts that scatter every time I look at her.
"This afternoon you said you wanted me. You said you were done waiting. And Lucy, I want that too. I want you. But I need you to understand what you're getting into."
"I know you're leaving."
"In two weeks. January second." The date sits between us like a ticking clock. "My whole life is in Boston. My career. My apartment. My team. Everything."
"I know."
"And I'm not good at this." The admission burns. "Relationships. Staying. Being what someone needs. My ex proved that whenshe posted everything on social media. Every way I failed her. Every time I chose hockey over us. She wasn't wrong."
"I'm not her." Lucy's voice is firm. "I'm not asking you to choose between hockey and me. I know who you are. What you need."
"That doesn't change the fact that I failed at it before." I force myself to hold her gaze. "I'm the same guy who doesn't know how to balance career and relationship. Who disappears into training and travel and forgets to call. Who can't promise forever because I don't know if I'm capable of it."
