Chapter 4

Jack is poised on the edge of my sofa, staring down at the open envelope.

For several beats he says nothing, simply studies the tickets before him. It finally seems to sink in when a whopping smile spreads across his face, mirroring mine. Suddenly he launches himself toward me, arms outstretched as he lifts me into the biggest bear hug. For a moment, he forgets it's not cool for an eighteen-year-old to hug his mum and dance around like an excitable puppy, and just as quickly, he's setting me back down on my feet before clearing his throat. "These are awesome Mum, and the seats, they are immense."

"You're welcome, honey; I'm glad you like them."

Jack reverts to giddy mode. "Like them? Zach Evans up close and watching the hockey genius Jon Morgan at work…Yeah, I like them."

My stomach clenches at that name.

Before I can stop myself, my brain seizes a chance to inquire further about the man who not so-subtly asked me for my number a couple of weeks ago. After all, I can pass this off as pre-season research. "So, why is this Jon Morgan a ‘hockey genius'?"

That earns me an eye roll. "Mum, seriously." Jack elongates the seriously. "He's a hockey legend, he scores for fun, and I swear the man practically dances across the ice. He's just awesome."

I've never been into sports, so I don't know why hearing my son gush over a hockey player I met for less than three minutes is having such an effect on me. But the truth is, I don't need to hear Jack fanboy over Jon Morgan to elicit my physical response. I've been doing some fangirling of my own over the last few days, lost in those steely-gray eyes and how waves of thick dark hair fell over them. I'm tempted to tell Jack that I quite literally bumped into his hero when collecting the tickets, but something holds me back from spilling, a need to internalize the private moment we shared. It felt intimate and intense. Far more intense than a chance meeting like that should. So, I shove down my words and bury the feelings.

"Well, clear your schedule because the first game is next Saturday."

I just needto get out and face the music. Sitting in the airport car park is neither comforting nor productive.

Just the other side of the departure entrance is Elliott and Darcy. I've barely seen Elliott since we separated, and I moved into my apartment six months ago, but the hardest part in all this is by far saying a temporary goodbye to my daughter. It cuts deep to be so far away from her but in my heart, I know this is the right decision for her and for me. Darcy has always been close to her dad and when back with Liam, she will bloom once again. Jack is pleased to have me close by in Seattle, and I'll be flying back to see Darcy as many times as I can.

Swinging open the door to my Mini Cooper, I head inside the airport and look for them both. Jack said his farewells yesterday as he has tryouts today for the college hockey team which he couldn't miss. I find them sitting with coffees, Darcy's head thrown back in laughter. She seems happy, and it warms my heart. I've got a bet with myself that says $100 she'll be in Liam's arms within thirty minutes of touchdown in London.

"Hey, you two," I say as I approach their table, a fake smile plastered on my face.

Elliott snaps up from his seat when he hears me. "Felicity! Nice to see you. Can I get you a drink?"

I'm shocked by my ex-husband's chivalry, but I shake my head. "No thank you, I need to head straight to work after this, so I don't have much time." Which is the truth.

We make polite chatter as I take the remaining seat at their table, and all the while I can see Darcy texting Liam to confirm their flight details and that they are on time. A few minutes later, glancing up at the clock, it's time for me to leave. "I'd better let you both get through security and to the gate."

With that, Darcy pockets her phone and pulls me into the sweetest hug. "I'll miss you, Mummy, but I'll come see you as soon as possible."

I squeeze my eyes shut as they form a dam to my tears. "Yes, darling, Christmas. I'll be back for Christmas."

She smiles and kisses me on the cheek and then grabs her bag, whipping off to check the departure board for the thousandth time.

Once out of earshot, Elliot turns to me, his eyes looking a little glassy which takes me by surprise. During our marriage, I saw little to no emotion from him, which is part of the reason why our relationship felt so devoid of love. Yet here we are, divorced and going our separate ways, and he's now getting emotional? My inner cynical side tells me he's uncomfortable with his sudden lack of control over my life, that I'm finally forging my own path without his supervision, and it dents his ego. Or could it be that he will miss me? That I meant something to him after all and the imminent separation across different continents has finally brought it home.

Who knows, and why does it matter? I'm almost annoyed at myself for spending so much emotional energy on him, us, or what was an us.

"So, you'll keep me in touch about Jack then? I doubt he'll contact me when he heads off to university—you know how he is."

I smile weakly, and I can tell Elliott is every bit as uncomfortable with this as I am.

"Yes, I take him to watch the Scorpions tomorrow night, first game of the season, so I'll remind him to keep in touch with you, let you know how his tryouts went."

Elliott nods and extends the handle on his carry-on bag, kicking it out onto two wheels. I stand there, arms crossed, ready to back away when he lurches forward and plants a kiss on my cheek, catching me completely off guard. I stumble backward but steady myself on the table with a firm hand.

"Take care of yourself, Felicity. I… yeah… just, be careful okay."

Be careful?I'm tempted to ask why he thinks I can't look after myself, but it's not worth it. I, too, want Elliott to provide me with updates on Darcy, so I think better than to start an argument. "Yeah, I will. You too."

His lips pinch together in another awkward smile and then he takes off toward Darcy, throwing his arm across her shoulders. She turns around and sends one last wave my way before disappearing into a crowd of people.

Well, shit.I think I will take that coffee.