Page 130 of The Rules of Dating a Younger Man

I pointed to my chest. “For me?”

I stood and approached. Caitlin looked giddy as she handed me the present.

As I unwrapped the pastel paper, I started to laugh, ready for something with a funny joke about becoming a grandpa. We’d laughed about that constantly lately.

Inside the box was a mini Philadelphia Eagles cap, for a baby—a sweet ode to Ryan I was sure Alex was behind. She knew all about Ryan loving the Eagles.

“There’s a card inside,” she said.

I pulled it out. “You didn’t have to do that, Caitlin. Thank you.” Then I read the note. And I read it again. I had to read it at least five times to understand. My hands shook as I looked up at Alex. Her eyes were glistening as she nodded.

I looked over at the guys and noticed Holden crying, too.

What the hell?

They knew. All the wives were also wiping their eyes. No one had read the note, yet they all freaking knew.

This baby shower might have been planned, but this was the surprise of a lifetime. Officially the happiest moment of my life. I couldn’t get to Alex fast enough, lifting her up and spinning her around—spinning them around.

I looked down at the note again, making sure the words were still there and this wasn’t a dream.

My unborn niece might call you Gramps. But I’m the lucky little miracle who’ll get to call you Daddy.

Love, The One You Always Believed In

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