I don’t text her that night or the day after. Instead, I send her Greek food from the first restaurant we went to. I wait for the phone to ring or for a text to come through and nothing. I shake my head when we land in Edmonton after taking the win in San Jose. When we finally get on the plane to head home, I send her one last text.

Me: I’m on my way home. I’ll swing by when I land so we can talk.

I don’t know if it’s the threat of going to see her or the fact that she actually is ignoring me, but I smile, thinking about the ways I’m going to drive her crazy.

I’m answering an email when my phone beeps, and when I see it’s her, I smile right away.

Vivienne: There is nothing to talk about. Please stop.

I grab my phone and smile while I answer her.

Me: Hey there, nice to hear from you. I’m free tonight after seven, does coffee work?

I put the phone down and see the three dots bubble come up and then disappear, and I have a picture of her freaking out about it, so I send her another text.

Me: Do you want me to bring you something specific, or do you want to come to my place? I’m good with either.

This time, the bubble comes up, and then it beeps.

Vivienne: I don’t want either, and I’m not meeting you anywhere.

God, I missed her. I smile to myself as I finally start to breathe easier knowing that I’ll see her tonight. It doesn’t mean anything, but just knowing I get to see her is everything.

Me: Your place it is. See you at seven. I’ll bring Elsa.

She sends me five texts in a row.

Vivienne: I’m not home.

Vivienne: Don’t come over.

Vivienne: I won’t be home.

Vivienne: There is nothing to talk about.

Vivienne: Merde.

I don’t answer her. Instead, I get home and dump my bag, and I actually grab the fishbowl and walk out toward the car. I stop at Starbucks on my way to her house, and the doorman smiles when he sees me. “Hey, Mr. Dimitris, long time, no see.”