Nova is a recent law school graduate, clinging to her dream of becoming a sports lawyer through an internship with New York City's NHL team, hoping she can land a full time position. One problem though, the captain of the hockey team is someone she...
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My eyes flutter open as the sound of crashing waves and seagulls greet me, and I slowly remember where I am. Smiling, I look down at Declan, sprawled out on his stomach with his arm laying across me abdomen, his hair pointing in every which way.
I disentangle myself from him, pulling on a sweatshirt as I leave him to his slumber and make my way downstairs and out of the house. I decide to sit on one of the chairs they have set up, right on the sand, leaning my head back to take in the rays of sun already shining bright so early in the morning, peaking through the morning haze. I sink my toes into the sand, feeling its coolness cover my feet as the sun heats the rest of my body. Closing my eyes, I take in everything around me as I mentally prepare myself for the day.
I know today is going to be difficult for me. The very first time I'm not spending a holiday with my family. But I also know that I need this, that I need to be selfish, otherwise I may completely lose who I am now to who I once was. If I refuse to move forward, I'm going to continue watching everyone move on with their lives while I stay exactly where I was five years ago.
I still feel like the girl I was when my dad passed, but Declan coming back into my life has made me realize I can't let pass me by anymore. It may not be how I imagined my life would pan out, but I still need to take advantage of it, because I'll only have so many trips around the sun in this life, and I need to live it to its fullest.
As I continue appreciating where I am, I hear footsteps in the sand approaching me, and I open my eyes to find Dakota sinking into the chair next to me, extending a cup of coffee towards me.
"Sorry It's not all dolled up like my brother gets them for you."
I chuckle and take the mug from her, holding it to my nose and letting the smell of espresso fill my nostrils, already giving me a jolt of the energy I need this morning to keep up with the holiday festivities.
"This'll do just fine, thanks Kota."
She smiles over at me, "Of course. So, how are you doing?"
I look out at the waves, watching seagulls as they fly over the shore before answering, "I'm doing fine."
"Fine as in terrible, or fine as in okay?"
I crack a smile, knowing I can never hide anything from Dakota. She watches everyone and everything, picking up on things no one else would ever notice and for how short a time she's been around me, I know she is already able to pick up on everything I attempt to hide from the world.
"Fine as in... overwhelmed."
I see her nod out of the corner of my eye, "Overwhelmed is okay. I wouldn't expect anything better. I mean, you did willingly sign up to spend a holiday with my entire family and three hockey players, so overwhelmed is on par with how you should be feeling."
I turn to her, my brows tugging together, "Three?"
Dakota sighs, "Yup, Rome and August are coming since the game is in L.A. which is relatively close to us, and they don't have time to go home."
