Me:You’re absolutely not doing that. The man is probably home with his family. It’s so much easier this way.
Gavin:I’m still sending Denis.
Me:Too late. Uber is here. I’m getting in the backseat noooow.
Gavin:Emily . . .
Me:I heart you for wanting to take care of me.
Gavin:Text me the second you get home.
Me:I will.
Me:Home.
Gavin:I’m sorry about tonight. I wish it hadn’t gotten so fucked up.
Me:It’s not your fault. Ben needed his dad. I love that and I love that you’re his comfort. Please don’t worry.
Gavin:I’ll make it up to you.
Me:No and more no. You’re a dad, Gavin, I understand that. I told you I will always respect the way you protect him. It’s all good, trust me. Go be with Ben and text me in the morning.
Me:There are no less than five hundred roses at the nurses’ station right now. It’s like an explosion of long-stem red has completely taken over every inch of desk and counter space, even the floor, they’re everywhere. And the way they smell! And how gorg they are, I can’t! No one knows who sent them and no one knows who they’re for, there’s no card or anything. But I have this strange suspicion they came from you.
Gavin:Guilty.
Me:Gavin! I told you, you do not need to make it up to me!
Gavin:The flowers are because I miss you. And if I can’t see you, then at least I can make you smile.
Me:I don’t even have a sassy reply. Your text just sucked every word out of me and turned me into a pile of mush.
Me:Seriously, no one has ever done anything like this for me before. They’re beyond beautiful. Thank you.
Gavin:When can I see you?
Me:I’m off this weekend, but I’m going to the hockey game with Maya and Bettie on Friday. How about Saturday?
Gavin:Saturday, you’re mine.
“To many more girls’ nights,” Maya said as she held her beer in the air, sitting between Bettie and me, directly in front of the ice. “Thank you for everything, Bettie.”
“Yes, the biggest thank-you to you,” I added.
“My darlings, I hope this is the first of many games we go to together.” She clinked her wine against Maya’s beer and mine.
“I’ll cheers to that.” I took a sip and smiled.
While the players were busy warming up, Maya, staring at them, added, “This game is going to be so different than the last one we attended.” She knocked me with her elbow several times. “Not that I didn’t have a good time last time, it was a blast—but once I saw Jordan on the ice, whoa, things mentally took such a different turn.”
“I don’t think I’ll forget that day for as long as I live,” I groaned.
Gavin:I prefer the Tampa T-shirt over the Bears one. Although both look extremely sexy on you.
Me:Why would you say that?
“And look where things stand now.” Bettie took a drink, placing her chardonnay in the cupholder.
