Catie knew she should say no, should cut things off clean and fast rather than letting it fade slowly and painfully as he moved into a whole new life… but she wasn’t ready, couldn’t let go. And shit, shit, shit, she was in so much trouble. She had to stop this before it went too far, before it broke them both.

“It’s going to be strange being so far from home for an entire season,” Danny mused, and she knew he’d made his decision. “Looking forward to your visit will keep me from losing it.”

Her walls crumbled into rubble. Unspoken was that their relationship would progress in fits and starts, around her training and events and his commitments to his club team.

“You’ll love it,” she reiterated, trying not to imagine him having so much fun that he forgot her.

Danny blew out a breath. “Yeah, I think it’s time the baby of the family grows up and figures things out without the rest of his family riding to the rescue.”

Catie tugged gently at his hair. “Not everyone has that support structure.”

“I know. And I will never, ever be sorry to have a family like I do. They’re my fucking world.”

God, the way Danny loved. So openly. So without boundaries.

“It’s just that they tend to take care of me without realizing they’re doing it.”

Making herself think about it instead of just reacting, Catie nodded slowly. “They’re always there, ready to step in with an assist.”

“Exactly. I’ve never had to fall on my own and pick myself back up.” He bent one leg at the knee. “Maybe that’s what’s been bugging me. The need to grow up in a way I can’t here.”

Catie thought suddenly of how she’d called the hospitals that one time. Danny’s life, she realized, was the exact opposite of hers—and strange as it was to think, such a life, such a family, could have its downsides.

Especially in a small country where the Bishop-Esera clan had a huge profile. Danny couldn’t fall, could never fail, without it becoming a major incident. He couldn’t stretch his wings. He had to leave New Zealand for that.

And he was asking her to stay with him while he flew.

Catie knew he’d pull away as soon as he found his feet, and oh, it would hurt. But so be it. Danny needed this, and she found she couldn’t say no. Not to this man who never asked for anything.

“Family’s going to figure it out,” Danny murmured. “About us.” A question in his eyes.

“I know.” Leaning down, she pressed her lips to his, the promise within the touch a thing of dazzling hope that hid the panic in her heart.

27

GOODBYE, HOTSHOT