Page 147 of A Whole New Play

“Yes,” Valerie chuckles. “I mean, as long as your dad says it’s alright.”

The twins turn to me simultaneously. “Can we go swimming, Dad?” Andy begs.

“Please,” Abby adds, bouncing on her toes.

I huff a laugh. “Yeah, that’s fine. But only because it’s Valerie’s first day back.” I give my girlfriend a wink.

She winks back.

“Yeah, right.” Andy rolls his eyes. “You’d say yes even if it wasn’t her first day back.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Oh, you think so?”

“Yes,” Abby speaks for her brother.

“And why is that?”

“Because you love her,” my daughter states without a hint of hesitation. “Duh.”

Breath lodges in my throat. My eyes snap to Valerie’s to gauge her reaction to Abby’s declaration.

We’ve been together for months, and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I am in love with Valerie Palmer. But I haven’t found the moment to tell her how I feel. There just hasn’t been a good time.

She’s been so busy working in California, and I’ve been focusing on training in the off-season and caring for the twins. I didn’t want to tip the scales of our lives and risk disrupting the happy balance we’ve found by making such a serious declaration.

Just say you’re a coward. No reason for a long-winded explanation.

My subconscious is right.

I am a coward when it comes to Valerie.

But when I see amusement and affection gleaming in her eyes, I suddenly find all the courage I need.

“You’re right,” I tell Abby, but my gaze remains locked on Valerie. “I do love her.”

A pretty blush highlights her cheeks.

Her smile softens just before she utters words that make me feel like the luckiest man on the planet. “I love you too, Carter Jones. More than you’ll ever know.”

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