Page 145 of A Whole New Play

Corey and I pose with our arms on each other’s shoulders, then each link up with a kid on either side. Carlee takes a few shots. We say goodbye to the fans and rejoin our family.

The impromptu photoshoot drew attention, but no one else approaches us for a picture. Either they don’t recognize us, or they’re just respecting our privacy.

“Dang. That’s embarrassing,” Morgan tsks. “Those kids didn’t even recognize you.”

Dane scowls at Carlee’s best friend. “What are you even doing here?”

“Me? I’m friends with Valerie.”

It’s true. Valerie and I have been long-distance for months. Whenever she’s in town, we spend a lot of time just the two of us, but we also do things with family and friends. It didn’t take long for Morgan, Carlee, and Valerie to grow close.

“But what are you doing here?” Morgan continues her attack on Dane. “Don’t you have an ice skating competition to practice for?”

“Uncle Dane plays hockey,” Andy pipes up, unaware Morgan is intentionally insulting the professional hockey player.

“Oh, does he?” She says sweetly to my son, but her eyes sharpen into daggers when she looks back at the blond. “I had no idea. It’s not like he talks about it all the time.”

“Okay, okay,” I interrupt before Dane can say something snarky in response. “Knock it off, you two.”

I have no idea what’s happened between Dane and Morgan to make them despise each other. It used to be funny. Now, it’s in danger of making things awkward.

I need to ask Dane what’s going on.

But that can wait.

Because that’s Valerie walking through the terminal exit. Seeing us, her lips part into a wide smile, and the organ in my chest flips.

“Valerie!” Abby and Andy cry out. They race forward, each one holding one end of the “Welcome Home” sign.

“Hi, guys!” Her backpack bounces as she races forward to meet the twins.

The three of them crash into each other in an excited embrace.

“Well, that’s adorable,” Morgan observes with a small smile.

“Isn’t it?” Carlee sighs. My sister glances at me and nudges me with her shoulder. “You all right over there?”

“Yeah.” I wipe away the tear that leaks from the corner of my eye. “I’m fine.”

I get a little emotional every time I witness the affection the twins have for my girlfriend. And the affection she has for them.

I’m such a sap.

It’s been a little over a month since Valerie last came to Texas. Paxter’s been in negotiations to be bought out, and she’s been working hard to take care of the financial side of the potential deal.

When I first heard the news, I was conflicted.

I didn’t want Valerie to be forced out of her CFO position, but I can’t lie and say I wasn’t relieved at the possibility of her having a reason to move back to Texas without me needing to ask.

When we got back together, she’d asked me if I was okay with long distance. And I was. I am. But there’s no denying that things would be easier for us if we lived in the same time zone.

I thought Paxter’s buyout could be the catalyst that led Valerie to return to Texas.

And it was.

Just not in the way I expected.

As it turns out, the company buying Paxter is based out of Dallas. And while they don’t need a second CFO, they’re choosing to keep Paxter operating as a separate entity. As such, they’re going to need someone to be in charge of the financial department, independent of the parent company.

---