Page 95 of This Could be Love

“I’ve rediscovered my self-confidence and become moreself-assured. Found my way back to the old me. And I think that mostly has to do with things having gone well. Between you and me, I mean.”

“I’m happy to hear you see things that way.”

“Yeah, that’s how I see things.” I cleared my throat. “That’s why I wanted to ask you if you could foresee becoming my trainer. Long-term.”

“Long-term?” she repeated, as if she’d misheard.

I nodded. “Over the last year, things between Milan and me didn’t really work. That’s become clear to me now. We were walking in place; we weren’t getting anywhere.”

Kay was about to say something, but I beat her to it.

“It’s not his fault. Or, well, not alone. After my injury, I was a different person. We both should have seen that there needed to be a new start. In every respect.”

“Well, maybe things just needed atime-out.”

“No.” I shook my head firmly. “It’s more than that.” I looked right at her. “So, what do you say? Do you want to be my trainer?”

“Lou.” She sighed regretfully. “As much as I am honored…it just won’t work.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to whizz about the world anymore. Spend my life in airplanes and hotels.”

“You wouldn’t have to. I can travel to the big tournaments without you. We could get a co-trainer who’d take your place on tour.”

Kay furrowed her brow. “To what degree would I be your trainer then?”

“You’d train me between tournaments and during the off-season.”

“Lou, I can’t constantly fly to Munich to…”

“I’m not talking about Munich.”

Kay stopped short. “But?”

My pulse began to quicken. “From now on, I want to train here.”

Suddenly things grew so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat.

“On Oahu?” Kay asked incredulously.

I nodded and something in her face began to click.

“Nothing for you would change,” I said.

“But for youeverythingwould.”

“Change is good,” I said confidently.

“Itcanbe.” Her eyes darted to the side before coming back to rest on me. “Have you talked to your parents about it?”

“No, not yet. I wanted to talk to you first.”

A touch of relief appeared on her face. “Lou, I don’t really know what to say.”

“That you’ll do it?” It was meant to sound casual, but it came out of my lips in a croak. And was followed by a fake smile thanks to my growing sense of uncertainty.

“To be honest, I don’t think it’s a good idea. As much as it pleases me to know you are so happy with our work together, you need someone who’s flexible and can adjust to your life.”