Until Then. // denis shapovalov - sascha zverev

6.2 - a good sandwich

Willow's POV

The tournament begins in two days and I'm at a complete loss of what to do. I've been ignoring everyone's texts and calls and avoiding everyone, going straight back to my room after work and locking the door and ordering room service. I think I've literally had room service the last 6 meals. I sit on my bed, contemplating if I want to have pasta for the third time or a BLT sandwich. I shift on the bed to look out the small slither I've left open from the curtain. Then sun's almost down. The days are shorter in September. A part of me was itching to get outside and explore the city and find an overprices restaurant for dinner. But the other part of me was worried that I'd bump into Alex, Denis, or... I guess Domi's on my list now, too.

If I run out quickly, I think I'll be able to avoid bumping into anyone. But knowing my luck, the boys will probably be randomly working at any restaurant I pick. I let out a defeated sigh and fall flat on my back onto the bed. I think about Alex. It's been two days since we've had sex and can't stop thinking about it. My body seemed to remember every moment, every touch we shared. And so does my stomach, because after taking the Plan B, I've already started cramping and spotting. I throw the menu to the side and slip on my shoes and a sweatshirt. I wasn't going to let three boys ruin my time here.

I take the elevator down and spill into the street, taking in a deep breath. For some reason, it felt different to be outside, completely free, than jogging down the street to the stadium at 6am for work. I look around at the stores and start walking along the sidewalk. I walked past a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, a boutique, a busy restaurant, another boutique, an empty restaurant, a wedding shop... I stop walking and trace my steps back, peering into the store. This must be where Alex bought the dress for me. I think as my eyes jump to a couple racks in the back, filled with colorful dresses.

I sigh. I knew Denis wasn't the right choice for me. Although he was everything a girl could ever ask for, I also know that the entire time I was with him, I was thinking about someone else. I shake my head and walk quickly away from the wedding store. And where was Domi and me? Domi, my best friend for the last 5 years. I have gone half a decade without ever doing something "romantic" with this man so why now all of the sudden? He's my best friend, and I don't every want to ruin that.

-

The pulled pork sandwich melts into my mouth. It was the perfect texture and combination of flavors.

"Oh my god," I saw with a mouthful, unable to help myself.

I put down the sandwich and stare at it in awe. How could something ever taste so good? Or maybe I'm just glad to finally be out of the hotel room I've trapped myself in.

The waiter comes by and asks if I need anything but I shake my head and compliment how good the food is. There's a light breeze that flies through the streets, warning that Fall is coming and the warmer days are dwindling. I let out a breath before resuming to my sandwich, thinking.

Being with Alex was... terrifying. It's like a rollercoaster that doesn't have a brake. There are moments where we're on the tracks traveling up and up and up and I don't want it to stop. Like that tingling feeling you get in your stomach as you wait to reach the top. Except I don't want to. Because when we do, that's when my entire lurches forward into a downhill spiral. Being with Alex is exciting yet terrifying.

On the other hand, Domi. Is Domi even on the table? When the hell did this happen? Well I guess I'll do a Pros and Cons while I'm thinking about him. Domi is stable. He's like starting your morning with a cup of coffee every day. It doesn't have to be the same coffee. It could be a latte one day and a mocha the next. But it's always a coffee and it's always there. Things would be the same. It would be like living a similar day over and over again and that, honestly, wouldn't be so bad. The path of the least resistance.

And Denis. Denis would be like adopting a puppy and watching it grow up. He'd take you on new adventures and encourage you to discover new levels of patience, happiness, disappointment, excitement, and longing. Being with him would allow me to grow, too. To grow into a better person, to find more confidence in who I am. We'd be able to counter each other our well. I would be able to direct him, and he would be able to guide me.

I sit back in my chair, only halfway through the sandwich, letting out a heavy sigh. I look into the busy restaurant through the glass window. Everyone's chatting about different parts of their lives. I then look to the street around me. The people walking in and out of the shops with four bags or zero bags, all seem the same amount of contentedness. The air smells damp and cool, even if it hasn't rained since I've been here. I realize that I really do love this city. Growing up, moving from place to place, usually staying in a rural urban area, I've never had the chance to be apart of a community like this. Where no one knows everyone and where you could just morph into a different person every day, and no one would even bat an eye.

New York was beautiful, even when it's not trying to be. The food was good, the music was better, the streets were full, and the skies were empty. It was perfect. I didn't realize that I had fallen in love with the city after being so caught up in the boys. The secret alleyways that Alex showed me and the glowing street lights that Denis and I ran through, they were perfect. I had fallen in love with New York.

Plus, this sandwich. True love.

"Willow? Hey!" I hear someone say from a couple feet from behind me. Domi comes over and sits in the seat across from me. "What's up? Sorry, I was grabbing a couple protein bars from the store!" Domi says.

"Hey, you," I smile to the familiar face. "Try this sandwich, it's amazing." I slide over my plate to him.

He examines the sandwich before picking it up to take a bite out of it. He puts down the sandwich and leans back letting out a satisfied sigh. "Holy shit."

"I know," I laugh, picking up a couple of fries to shove them in my face. I look at Domi genuinely, "I know."