Page 115 of A Major Puck Up

“No. Duck instead of shit. And maybe instead of dick? I don’t know. The Langfields confuse me sometimes.”

I laugh. “Tell me about it.”

Sara crouches beside the stroller. “Hey, little Viv. How’s it going?”

The cutie’s eyes widen, and she latches on to Sara’s hand and pulls it toward her mouth.

“She’s teething pretty bad,” I explain as Sara gently extricates herself. I dig through my bag and pull out the Ziploc containing a cold, damp towel I brought for her to gnaw on.

Sara points to the seat beside me. “Mind if I join you?”

I shake my head and shift to give her more space.

“God,” she says, lifting her face to the sun and closing her eyes. “It’s a gorgeous day, isn’t it?”

“It is.” It’s sunny and seventy. So very different from the weather at home.

“You must be ready to get back, though. Hotel life with a baby can’t be easy.” Sara turns to me, her blue eyes warm and her expression soft.

With a slow breath out, I let myself relax. I haven’t spent much time with her, but she seems down-to-earth, and if she’s as cool as Lennox says, I think we’ll be good.

“She’s not the problem. If not for the teething, I’m pretty sure this girl would be fine anywhere.”

“So who is the problem?” Sara asks, giving me a knowing look.

“Oh, no one.” I plaster a big, phony smile to my face.

“Hmm, I know a certain someone who also likes wearing a fake smile. Name rhymes with pick too.”

I giggle. “Gavin’s not a dick. He’s just—” I breathe out a resigned sigh. “He’s got a lot on his plate.”

“And the woman he’s obsessed with is now his nanny, and he can’t touch her.”

My jaw drops open, and all the air leaves my lungs. “How…?”

She grins. “I’ve been where you are, babe. Slightly delusional and unaware that a Langfield is obsessed. Want some advice?”

My chin tips up and down, like it’s got a mind of its own, because my brain certainly isn’t on board with discussing this so openly.

“You’re his Peaches.”

I cough out an uncomfortable laugh as my heart trips over itself. “What?”

A wistful smile crosses her face, and she pats my hand, rubbing her thumb over my wrist.

For a second, I’m distracted by the move, but I forget about the odd interaction when she continues. “Even when you were apart, he kept you close.”

“How so?” As far as I know, we hid our relationship from everyone.

Sara shakes her head, her blond ponytail swaying. “Just…” She presses her lips together. “Just pay attention to the little things. He still keeps a piece of you close to him. He’s not over you. And if you’re here to prove to him that you’re all-in, then you’re doing exactly what you should be doing.”

My heart thunders against my ribcage as I consider her words. “And what is that?”

Sara nods toward Vivi. “Putting her first. But,” she says, bumping my shoulder, “can I give you a little hint as to how to maybe move this along a little quicker?”

Once again, I cough out a shocked laugh at her persistence. “Sure?”

She leans in close. “Do you know about the jersey thing?”

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