Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
“Not without you,” Anthony promised me.
I already couldn’t wait for the next time all of us were alone together again.
Hugo took me and my mom to Wirthaus Mohren for dinner, one of the best places to try German cuisine in Ravensburg. Brick columns and U-shaped light fixtures added a sophisticated flare to the space, adding to the uniqueness of the cozy atmosphere.
“This place is adorable!” my mom gasped as we waited for the host to lead us to our table. She gave my arm an excited squeeze as we shared a smile.
“I haven’t seen anything like this,” I agreed as my eyes swept around the restaurant, admiring its European features that I didn’t see anywhere in the States. It was an experience unlike any other, and I was just glad that my mom could be here to experience it with me.
“Then, we should enjoy it as much as possible,” my mom replied, shooting me a warm look before following the host.
She was right. This trip was unlike any other thanks to her and the guys. Part of me never wanted it to end.
The host seated us at a table with bench seating on one side and separate chairs on the other side. Hugo sat across from me and my mom, sharing warm looks with me throughout the evening.
I hadn’t gotten a chance to fully express to him how much this meant to me. My mom worked so hard for so long to raise me and Madison to the best of her ability on her own, and all I wanted was to be able to treat her as well and thank her for all the support she had given me over the years.
Unfortunately, money had always been an issue, so it meant a lot to me that Hugo was giving us this experience. And that he and the guys paid for our travel as well. There were no words that could explain how grateful I was for them and everything they had done for me, my mom, and my team.
I would always remember this trip that I got to take and all the memories I got to make with everyone who was along for this crazy ride. Part of me didn’t want to leave Germany and end this trip when it had been so exciting, but there was a lot to take care of at home. I had a lot of unfinished business to take care of, and I wanted to rise even higher than this in my career.
“So, you’re the captain of the men’s team?” my mom asked Hugo as we dug into our entrees of roasted pepper pork for Hugo and breaded schnitzel for my mom and me.
Hugo nodded as he cut into his pork.
“I couldn’t ask for a better team to be the captain of. I’m sure Leah can relate,” he said as he nodded to me. “They’ve done great this season. I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting them to make it to an international tournament like this, but they took everyone by surprise. They earned it.”
“I know. I can’t be prouder,” my mom replied as she nudged me. “She’s meant to play hockey.”
“It’s in our blood,” I tell Hugo. We were meant to lead amazing teams, and I believed that we were meant to meet each other, even if it started with some competition. In the end, we came together, along with his team of guys that I also couldn’t resist.
“I don’t remember you ever going out to dinner with a boy before,” my mom murmured to me with an excited tone.
“Mom!” I whispered, shooting her a warning look that made Hugo chuckle.
“That surprises me. She’s quite the catch,” Hugo replied.
“See?” my mom said as she shot me a victorious look. She so badly wanted me to find a good guy to be with. I wasn’t going to tell her that there were six guys that I wanted to be with, but I hoped that she could tell that I was happier now than ever before regardless. “He’s a catch too.”
“Oh, I know he is,” I laughed softly, coaxing a smile on Hugo’s face.
In their own ways, all six of the guys were a catch, drawing me in for different reasons that kept things interesting. I hoped that I was enough for all of them and that I wouldn’t lose their interest at some point. My life would feel incomplete without every single one of them.
“Well, I just want to say thank you again for all of this. Dinner and putting a smile on my daughter’s face,” my mom told Hugo with a sincere tone to her voice. “This has made my year.”
Hugo’s expression softened.
“I’m just glad Leah has a mom like you in her life. I know she loves you very much,” he said as he looked between us.