"I'm still happy to see you," she said. "God. I could hardly even sleep last night wondering what would happen today. How are you even here?"
"I took a plane, babe."
"No," she said, pushing me playfully. "I mean how. Did you get permission? Did you have to leave the team?"
"I didn't. Training camp doesn't start officially until Monday, so no, if you're worried, I'm not breaking any rules by being here."
"Monday? So you're just here for the weekend?" she asked. Her hand ran through my hair.
"Just a short trip this time."
"That's too bad," she said. She touched my hair again. "I feel like it's been such a long time since I saw you."
"You missed me?" I asked, smirking.
"Yes, I missed you. I know how much you love to hear me admit it. It's going to suck seeing you leave again."
"Then come with me." She scoffed.
"I can't do that."
"Why not. The semester just wrapped, right?"
"Right, but you're going to be training. When would I even see you?"
"I'd come home every night."
"Home? What do you want me to do? Come live with you?" she asked jokingly.
"Yeah," I said seriously. "You should."
"Roman. Stop."
"Stop what?"
"You know what. It's like three weeks before I have classes again."
"I do know that," I said, taking her hand. "That's why I've been making some calls. There's a college about fifteen minutes away from my place in Miami. I've been talking to them. Asking about admissions and transfers." She looked at me quizzically.
"You're going back to school?" she said carefully.
"No. It’s a little late in the admission cycle, but since you would be transferring with the bulk of your credits already fulfilled, they said there wouldn't be a problem with you joining the psychology program this fall." Her mouth fell open.
"What?" she croaked.
"I wasn't going to ask you to give up your degree to be with me. I'm serious about you moving in, Veronica. I want to be with you. Come to Miami with me tomorrow night."
She launched into my lap, kissing me. Her hands cupped my face. I held her by the waist, pulling her into me. She was laughing with tears streaming down her cheeks. I couldn't make out what she was saying through it all.
"I can't believe this is happening," she said, looking at me.
"Believe it, babe."
"I can't believe you'd do this for me."
"I did it for us. I love you, Veronica."
"I love you, Roman," she said. I wiped a tear that was making its way down her face.