By the end of the afternoon, I’d roasted a turkey, complete with dressing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and green beans.
When everything was ready, we piled our plates high and sat in front of the big screen to watch football. We wouldn’t play Jacksonville this season, but it was fun watching them and reading what the offense was going to do.
“Are you nervous about your visa interview?” I asked as we spread out on the sofa.
“No. I’ve already done it once. The questions will be relatively the same as the first time.”
He might not have been nervous, but I was until we had it in hand. Then I could relax.
When we went to bed later that night, Colin rubbed his stomach. “I love these food holidays.”
I grinned. “Just wait until Christmas.”
Chapter 24
Colin
The first weekend in December, we flew to New York to play the Kings. I wanted to see as much of the city as we could over the three days we were there. Our game was scheduled for 1 PM on Sunday, and after arriving Friday afternoon, we hailed a cab and headed over to Brooklyn for dinner.
I’d traveled all over Europe and Southeast Asia with my club, but nothing compared to New York City. I wanted to see it all.
“How much sightseeing can we do over the next three days?” I asked as we rode from Manhattan toward the Brooklyn Bridge.
“Not very much, unfortunately, but we can squeeze in a few things. We can always come back.”
I didn’t want to remind him that our time was running out. My visa would expire in less than 60 days, and I still hadn’t received an offer from the Storm regarding next season. Without it, I would go back to Australia at the end of January.
“I’m not sure we are going to have that kind of time. It’s not like I can walk up to Coach and ask if he’s planning to resign me.”
He reached across the seat and placed his hand over mine. “No, but my father can, since he’s acting as your agent.”
I gazed out the window. “I hate to impose, especially since they’re still in London.”
Carson leaned across the seat until we were shoulder to shoulder. I turned my head to look at him. “Just send him a text, babe. He’ll be happy to check on things for you.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“But for tonight, let’s forget about the world and contracts and football games. I just want to enjoy the time we have here.”
His words reminded me of our first night together. The twenty-four hours that had changed everything for us. And he was right. There was nothing I could do about any of it tonight.
“Okay,” I whispered. “Nothing but us.”
After a harrowing cab ride that felt more like a carnival rollercoaster ride, we pulled up in front of a little restaurant tucked into the middle of an old brick building. Gino’s was supposed to have the best pizza in New York City, and I was starving.
After Carson paid the driver, he slipped out of the backseat, holding out his hand for mine. I stared at it a moment, then took it. We stood face to face on Brooklyn street as the cab sped away, my hand in his.
“Hungry?”
I nodded, staring at him. “Yes. Starved.”
Carson met me for a soft kiss as the world fell away. When he kissed me, nothing existed but him and me. When he pulled back, he kissed my forehead, then turned toward the restaurant.
Neither of us had noticed how long the line was or how frigid the wind was coming off the river. I wasn’t used to weather like that, and Carson knew it.
Wrapping his arms around me, he leaned in to speak into my ear. “It’s colder than I expected. We can go someplace else if you don’t want to wait.”
When he looked at me like my comfort was his only concern, I decided right then that I’d wait in a snow drift if it meant he continued that.
