"Yep."
"Do you miss them?" Polly asks.
I nod and take a sip of my wine.
"Would you ever move back there?"
"My life is here," I tell her.
"That's not what I asked." Polly pushes.
"I miss them. Yeah. But I also have a life here in London. I love my job. I have amazing friends." I stare at her. "What more could I want?"
"A wise woman told me once that safe isn't always what you need."
"That woman should mind her own business." I chuckle.
The next three days blur together. Work. Training. Preseason prep. Collette texts me updates as she packs.
Colette: Last box packed. Can't believe I'm really doing this.
Collette: Flight is tomorrow morning. Pierre is sending the jet at 8 a.m.
Collette: I'm nervous and excited and terrified all at once.
Jo: You're going to be amazing. They're lucky to have you.
Collette: Thanks. Miss you.
I'm lying in bed when my phone buzzes.
A photo.
Collette, Pierre, and Felix at what looks like a private airport. All three of them, smiling.
Collette: They met me at the airport!
I stare at the photo. My family. Together in New York. Pierre looks happy, relaxed, like a weight has been lifted. Felix has his arm around Collette's shoulders, and Collette is beaming. Theylook like a family. And I'm here, in London, thousands of miles away.
Jo: So happy for you. Send pics of the apartment!
Collette: Will do. Love you.
Jo: Love you too.
Felix: Don't worry about Lettie. We've got her.
Jo: I know you do.
Felix: We miss you.
Jo: Miss you too.
I set my phone down.A single tear falls down my cheek.I roll over onto my back and stare at the ceiling. Why is this affecting me so much?I've always done my own thing, separate from my family.I'm lonely.The thought hits me like an arrow to the heart.I'm lonely.I've never needed a partner before. They've always seemed more hassle than they're worth.I have Polly, Hazel, and Tate. We always said if we were into women we'd be perfect together. But alas, we are not.I don't need a man in my life. I'm an independent woman.But ... it would be nice to have someone to cuddle every now and again.My mind wanders to Emmett, the last person I cuddled in bed.Damn, he was a good cuddler.
Urgh.
8
