Chasing the puck

Chapter Forty-Five

The morning sunlight streamed through the thin curtains, casting soft golden rays across Sarah’s bedroom. She lay still under the covers for a moment, taking in the quietness of the apartment. There was a lightness in the air that she hadn’t felt in a long time—a feeling that something heavy had finally been lifted. Her relationship with Mark was over, and though there had been moments of sadness and doubt, she was beginning to feel a sense of peace.

She stretched, feeling her muscles relax as she thought about the day ahead. As her feet hit the cool floor, Sarah couldn’t help but reflect on the journey that had led her here. The breakup had been painful, but now that she had some emotional distance, she could see the freedom it had brought her. Her heart still felt tender, but there was a growing excitement beneath the surface—an anticipation for what lay ahead.

In the kitchen, the familiar smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as she poured herself a cup. The scent was comforting, and for the first time in a long time, she felt like she was truly starting her day for herself, without the weight of someone else’s expectations pressing down on her. She sipped slowly, standing by the window and watching the world outside come to life.

Later that morning, Sarah arrived at work, her heels clicking against the polished floors as she made her way to her desk. The energy in the office was already buzzing—phones ringing, fingers tapping on keyboards, conversations drifting through the air. Sarah greeted her colleagues with a smile, feeling more present and engaged than she had in weeks. She had thrown herself into work since the breakup, and today was no different. Her mind was focused, and the project she had been working on seemed to flow effortlessly.

During a meeting with her boss and team, Sarah felt a sense of pride as she presented her ideas. The familiar nerves that used to accompany these meetings were gone, replaced with a quiet confidence. As she spoke, the room fell silent, everyone listening intently to her proposal. When her boss nodded in approval, Sarah felt a surge of accomplishment. This was the space she had craved—time to focus on her own growth, without the distraction of a relationship that no longer fulfilled her.

That afternoon, Sarah met Summer at their favorite café, the comforting aroma of coffee and pastries wafting through the air as they took their seats by the window. The sun cast a warm glow over the small table, and the bustling city outside provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation.

“So, how are you really doing?” Summer asked, her eyes full of concern and curiosity.

Sarah took a deep breath, stirring her latte as she thought about the past few weeks. “I’m actually okay,” she said with a small smile. “I mean, it’s been hard, and I still think about Mark sometimes. But I feel… lighter. Like I can finally breathe.”

Summer smiled, reaching across the table to squeeze Sarah’s hand. “That’s so good to hear. You deserve to feel free.”

They talked for a while longer, their conversation shifting between updates on work and Sarah’s newfound hobbies. Summer listened as Sarah explained how she had rediscovered her passion for painting, and how work had become a refuge for her.

But when Sarah mentioned Tyler, Summer raised an eyebrow. “Tyler, huh?” she said with a knowing smirk.

Sarah blushed, taking a sip of her drink. “We’ve been talking again… Nothing serious, though. Just catching up.”

“Just be careful,” Summer warned gently. “It sounds like things are going well, but you’ve been through a lot. Don’t rush into anything.”

“I won’t,” Sarah promised. “I’m taking my time. But I can’t help but feel like there’s something still there with him.”