38
Kennedy
The first time I cried that Wednesday was when Sammy wrapped her arms around me on a crowded New York City sidewalk. I’d almost lost it when I checked out of the hotel in Los Angeles, and again when the plane lifted off for JFK, but I’d held it together until now. Until my best friend hugged me.
“It’s so, so, so good to see you.” Sammy beamed. She pulled back, but her hands stayed on my arms as she looked down at me, grinning from ear to ear.
“Oh, you too, Sammy.” I sniffled, my voice thick. “I’m so glad to be back.”
And I was. God, I was. The hustle and bustle, people rushing on the sidewalks, blaring horns from impatient drivers, the wail of a fire truck somewhere in the distance. It was home.
I took in the colorful billboards, the arena we were about to enter, the foul smell from the subway underneath us, and my friend peering down at me.
“You’ve lost weight, Kennedy,” she said, tilting her head. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay.” I swiped under my eyes, catching stray tears with the pads of my fingers. “More than okay, actually.”
“We’ve got so much to talk about,” Sammy said, and she was more right than she knew. But not tonight. “I can’t believe you’re going to be here again.” She smiled.
“Yeah,” I breathed, a small laugh escaping. “We do have a lot to talk about. But we’ve got time. I have no job. There’s nothing on my schedule. We can meet anytime you want, I’m all yours.”
“Wow. That’s just so . . . wow.” Sammy laughed and pulled me into another hug, holding me tight.
“Excuse me,” a woman muttered as she squeezed past us, her tone laced with sarcasm rather than apology. What she really meant was, You’re in my way, you idiots. I just grinned at the familiarity, the impatience of New Yorkers, and Sammy and I shuffled over to the edge of the sidewalk.
“Did you come here straight from the airport?”
“No. I stopped by Nash’s apartment building and dropped my bags off.”
“Oh,” she said, looking at my empty hands. “Duh. Of course, you’d have luggage if you came straight here.” She rolled her eyes at herself. “He still doesn’t know, right?”
“No. He has no idea.”
It had been hard to keep the secret. Nash and I had talked several times after he’d left. Each call made it harder, but I wanted to surprise him. I’d told him I was still working on getting the transfer back to New York but that I was definitely coming. He’d seemed satisfied with that.
“Man, I’m excited,” Sammy said, practically bouncing. “Let’s go in. We’ve got time, but I think we should get a drink and celebrate.”
“Sounds like a perfect plan to me.”
We did just that. I followed Sammy as she navigated the arena like a pro, weaving through the crowd with ease.
She knew this place better than me, having been to far more games than I had.
We took the elevator down to the exclusive restaurant and bar area tucked beneath the stands.
Sammy found us a high-top table in the back, close to the exit that led to the rink.
From there, we could peek around the dark, heavy curtains and catch a glimpse of the players as they warmed up on the ice.
“How’s the apartment hunt going? Found anything yet?” I asked as we settled in, leaning an elbow on the table.
“I’m not sure.” Sammy twirled the decorative stick that held the olives in her martini, her brow furrowed. “I’ve looked at a few places, but nothing feels right yet. The Realtor says she’s got another couple lined up later this week.”
“Oh, that’s good. I’ll come with you if you want,” I offered.
Her face brightened. “Yes, of course I want that. I could definitely use your help.”
I grinned. “Who knows, if Nash doesn’t want me staying with him, I might need to crash on your couch for a while.”
Sammy snorted, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, like that’s ever going to happen. He’s not letting you out of his sight after tonight.”
I laughed, shaking my head.
“Have you started to look for a new job yet?” she asked, her expression turning a little more serious.
“Not really. I browsed some listings, but that’s it.” I took a slow sip of my wine. “I’m going to take my time applying this time,” I explained to Sammy. “I want to find something that fits my life. I’ve learned that a successful career isn’t everything.”
Her smile broadened. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks,” I said, smiling back. “I’m kind of proud of myself, actually.”
“Cheers to that, girlfriend.” Sammy giggled and clinked her glass against mine before draining what was left of her martini.
The bar was getting crowded, the noise level rising around us as more people came in. The TVs hanging overhead showed the players starting to hit the ice for warm-ups. It was getting close to game time. I was glancing around when I spotted a familiar man in line for some seafood.
My stomach flipped.
“I’ll be back in a second,” I told Sammy, sliding off my chair.
“O-kay,” she said slowly, her brows lifting as her eyes followed me.
I hesitated, almost turning around, but that wouldn’t make sense. I couldn’t hide even if I wanted to, so I straightened my shoulders and kept going. My heart was beating faster with each step. It was silly, really. I’d known this man almost my entire life.
Back in LA, after handing in my resignation letter, I’d made myself a promise.
There would be no more running or stepping aside when things got intimidating, no more shrinking back when I was uncomfortable.
It was time to put myself first—well, myself and Nash—and that was why this was so important.
I took one last deep breath then reached out to touch his arm.
Nash’s father turned, and his expression was priceless. Surprise widened his eyes first, quickly softening into happiness and then—finally—relief.
“Kennedy,” he sighed, wrapping his arms around me.
It wasn’t at all what I’d expected. I’d thought he’d be disappointed, maybe even a little cold, after all the time I’d spent ignoring Nash, him, and Liz. But here he was, holding me like none of it mattered.
“Hi, Howard.”
He released me but didn’t let me go completely, his hands settling firmly on my shoulders. He leaned back slightly, studying me with that familiar frown crinkling his brow between his soft hazel eyes. “Does this mean you’re back?” he asked quietly, and I didn’t miss the hope in his voice.
“Yes.” I nodded, feeling a little lighter just saying it. “I resigned.”
His eyebrows shot straight up. “Is that what you wanted?”
“I needed to,” I said honestly.
“Yeah?” His voice softened. “You’re okay?”
“Yeah, Howard. I’m good.”
His whole body seemed to exhale, a long sigh escaping as his shoulders relaxed. “Does he know?”
I didn’t need to ask who he meant. “No,” I said, shaking my head with a small smile.
Howard’s lips curved. “He’ll love it, Kennedy. And hopefully that’ll help him get his game back.”
I hadn’t even thought about that, but he was right. Nash had always called me his good-luck charm. I could only hope I’d live up to that tonight.
Howard adjusted the plate in his hands and nodded toward the tables. “Did you see Liz?”
“No, but Sammy and I have a table over there,” I said, pointing toward our spot. Sammy noticed and lifted her hand in greeting.
“Ah, good. I think Liz was getting sushi.” Howard’s eyes met mine, a faint crease forming between his brows. “Do you mind bringing this to the table? I’ll go grab her.”
“Not at all,” I replied, taking the plate of shrimp and oysters from him.
I’d just set the dish down when I heard a familiar squeal behind me.
“Oh my God, Kennedy!” Liz’s voice carried over the noise of the room. “Finally!”
She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me so tightly I could barely breathe. I felt the tears rise in my eyes, and that was the second time I cried that Wednesday.
“I can’t believe you’re back,” she sighed into my shoulder, pulling back just enough to look at me. “Thank you, Kennedy. You have no idea how much he needs you.”
I did have an idea. Probably almost as much as I needed him. “I’m sorry it took me this long,” I whispered.
“You’re here now.” Liz hugged me again, then leaned back to rub my arms, only to pull me in for yet another hug, like she couldn’t quite let go.
Her happiness was contagious, but also a little overwhelming.
Both she and Howard seemed to believe that Nash would be able to pull through and have a great game because I was there. That was a lot of pressure.
“Looks like you girls are out of drinks,” Howard said when he returned, eyeing our empty glasses. “I’ll get us some more.”
He disappeared and reappeared a few minutes later with a bottle of champagne and four glasses. The cork popped, and the four of us raised our glasses, laughed, and drank. Sammy left briefly and came back with a huge plate for us all to share.
“I’m so happy you’re back,” Liz said softly, reaching up to caress my cheek. “You’re so good for him, Kennedy. Your mother and I waited a long time for the two of you to finally realize what you meant to each other. Don’t leave him again, please. He’s so lost without you.”
The lump in my throat was back. I swallowed hard, fighting the tears again. “I won’t,” I promised.