and I’m glad she did. The execution was harsh and I’m not sure I’ll ever feel the same way about weddings again, but it led me to you and for that I’m grateful.”
She seemed satisfied with my answer and I blew out a breath, glad to be done talking about Cindy. I didn’t want to bring any of that baggage into my time with Adele.
Neither of us felt like doing much as the hour to leave grew closer. We settled on the couch watching TV, tangled up and somber. The ride to the airport was silent. Adele came with me, even though I told her it wasn’t necessary. I was hopping on a plane to California and wishing there was some way I could take her with me.
“I can’t believe you have to leave already. It feels like you just got here.” Adele hugged me tightly outside security.
“We’ve got a home game next Saturday, but I’ll figure something out to get back before the end of the week.” I kissed her forehead and ran a hand down her head until I caressed her neck. “Or I could fly you out to California.”
Her body tensed against mine, all but giving me the answer before she’d even said the words. “I don’t know. I don’t like the idea of you paying to fly me out. It’s bad enough you keep flying here. Paying for my flight makes things seem sooo… serious between us.”
I chuckled lightly. “I am serious about you. Think about it.” I pulled back. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I leaned in for one last kiss.
“Call me when you get there so I know you made it.”
“Worried about me?”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
Finn
As luck would have it, I was on a plane headed back to New York on Wednesday. My agent booked an interview on a morning show. Typically, I declined that type of press, but an hour of being uncomfortable to spend a night with Adele was definitely worth it.
“What are they interviewing you about?” she asked from her bed. Sleepy-eyed and hair mussed. If I weren’t already running ten minutes late, I’d never get out of here without touching her again.
“You mean besides the fact I’m a famous soccer star?”
“Yes, besides that, of course. I don’t see many interviews with soccer players on daytime television.”
“The host is a friend. He’s been asking me to come on for some time and it finally worked out.”
“Your life is bizarre. Interviews, parties, celebrities.” She waved a hand in the air and smiled.
I pulled my jacket on. “Speaking of parties, the team has a media event next weekend.” Before she could shoot me down immediately, I bent down to kiss her. “David Beckham is rumored to drop by.”
She sat up as I walked to the door. “No way.”
“Yes way.”
She stood on top of the bed when she could no longer see me over the bookshelf. “I swear to God, Finn, if you’re dangling Beckham just to get me to California, I will kill you.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, sweetheart.”
The interview took most of the morning and with Adele at work, I had a few hours to kill. I stopped by the café and took my usual table.
“Hey, handsome. Back for another go at winning your girl?”
“Won her back. Now I’m just here to kill some time until she gets off work. What’s on special today?”
“Cinnamon rolls.” She smiled and grabbed my coffee. The place was quiet, so she took a seat. “She came to her senses, huh? Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
“Doing the long-distance thing or have you convinced her to move back to California?”
“Nah. Long distance for now.” I hoped someday I could convince her to come back, but I’d hop on a plane every week if that’s what it took to be with her. “I think she enjoys the independence and challenge of being on her own.”
Flo raised a brow.
“What? You don’t think so?”
“New York is a tough city but being on your own is hard no matter what or where. Take it from me. I’ve moved ten times in five years. And sure, it gives me some satisfaction to know I’m capable of starting over each time, but if I had a man like you offering to move me across the country and take care of me… well, even I’m not dumb enough to turn that down.”
I didn’t think Adele would see it that way. Furthermore, I wanted her to see herself the way I did – as a woman who could have everything,