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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Walking into Declan's apartment, the aroma of oregano wafted to me as soon as the door swung open. I leave my things in his front entry and walk into the kitchen, Declan's back to me as he cooks something over the stove.
"You got enough to share?"
He jumps, turning to look at me with wide eyes and I can't help but chuckle. He drops the utensils he was using and walks around the island to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me off the ground.
"You scared the shit out of me."
I loop my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, holding myself up against him as I say, "I'm sorry, I thought you could hear me."
I run my fingers through his hair as he buries his face in my neck, cherishing our closeness. We've both been so focused on work that our time with each other has been minimal, and this is our last chance to spend time together before the holidays. Declan is flying home to be with his family, and he begged me to come but Lennon is staying in the city for the holidays, and I didn't want her to be alone. Clinging to him, I hope I won't regret not taking him up on his offer.
"I've missed you," Declan's voice is muffled through my neck, making me smile.
When we've been spending time with each other these last few weeks, we've always held each other, wanting to take advantage of any extra moment we've had together. I won't see him until after he returns from spending time with his family and his next away game, and I feel my heart ache just thinking about being separated for that long.
It may sound extreme, but he's become such a vital part of my life that even a moment apart hurts. I obviously still love that we live our separate lives and continue to have our own identities, but I wish we could share more small moments together, not just the ones the media somehow always captures.
It feels as though we've been living under a magnifying glass; every outing we've had in public has been posted all over the internet for others to judge and ridicule. I've done my best to put on a strong front for Declan, but I would be lying if I said it hadn't kept me up most nights, the anxiety threatening to consume me.
To get through it, I remind myself that we're worth it, that he's worth it.
Bubbles begin to boil out of the pot, sizzling echoing throughout the room as it hits the stovetop.
"Declan, you better set me down, otherwise our dinner is going to be ruined."
He groans, planting a kiss on my cheek before allowing me to slide to the ground. I look around him as he begins stirring what seems to be pasta, making my stomach growl.
I wrap my arms around his middle, peeking from beneath his arm as he continues cooking, just enjoying being here with him. I burrow myself into him, a draft through his spacious apartment sending chills through me.
