Page 149 of Play Book

I groan. “It’s the ‘like us’ part that freaks me out.”

“Stop it,” she says, shaking her head. “She’s a grown woman. And Braden’s a great guy. He adores her and will take care of her.”

“He’d better,” I mumble.

“Come on, we raised her better than to put up with any guy’s shit.”

“I know.” I give her waist a squeeze. “Okay. I guess this is it, huh?”

“Go give our girl away,” she whispers, her beautiful eyes filled with happy tears. She’s still as beautiful as the day I met her, and I press a soft kiss to her lips.

“See you after.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too.”

I walk down the hallway to the anteroom where Ally’s waiting for me.

I open the door and momentarily catch my breath.

For a fraction of a second, it’s like looking at Carly.

She’s been gone for so long now, but I see bits and pieces of her every time I look at her gorgeous daughter.

My gorgeous, grown-up, about to get married daughter.

“You okay, Dad?” she asks, cocking her head slightly.

Saylor had been six months pregnant with our first child when Ally had asked if she could call us Mom and Dad. We’d said yes, of course, and never looked back.

And today she’s getting married.

Not for the first time, I wonder what my sister would think if she could see her. Would she appreciate the amazing young woman she’d grown up to be? Ally had double majored in art and communication, and then went on to get a master’s degree in art history. She’s been working at a museum in New York, but Braden was just traded to the team in Las Vegas, so they decided to get married and give Ally a chance to focus on her art. Maybe have a baby.

Christ.

One of my babies is thinking about having a baby of her own.

How has this happened?

It’s hard to wrap my head around how fast the last fifteen years have flown by. She went from a sad, scared kid who hated everything to the most amazing young woman, daughter, and soon-to-be wife I know. Other than my own wife, of course. I might be a little biased when it comes to Saylor, though.

“Dad?” Ally’s watching me carefully.

“Sorry.” I turn. “I took a short trip down memory lane.”

She smiles, reaching out a hand to me. “We have a lot of great memories.”

“We do.”

“And we’re going to have lots more. Promise. Just because I’m getting married… I mean, nothing has to change.”

“Oh, honey.” I shake my head. “Everything is going to change. But that’s how it’s supposed to be. This is your time. Yours and Braden’s.”

“Yeah, but you and Mom—I wouldn’t have any of this if it weren’t for you.”

“We’re your parents and that’s what parents do. From the day I got custody of you, all I wanted was to give you the life you deserve. That any kid deserves.”

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