Page 63 of Forever Player

We enter the apartment and I show Willow around.

“If you need anything or want to change the decorating or something, feel free,” I say to her. “This is your home now.”

“Brett, I appreciate your hospitality, but this is temporary until I can save enough for first and last month’s rent,” she reminds, but I don’t like those words or the thought of her and Maylee leaving.

“I’m hoping to convince you otherwise.” I shrug and show her around. “I have an assistant. She does my grocery shopping.”

“You have an assistant to do groceries for you?” Willow asks with surprise.

“I never shop or cook for myself,” I admit sheepishly.

“You seemed like such a pro back in Sugar Meadow,” Willow notes.

“That trip to the grocery store is something I won’t be forgetting any time soon.” I wink at Willow and rub Maylee’s cheek because she was a little culprit that day.

“Stacia, that’s my assistant’s name, she comes by a few times a week to clean the apartment, do the groceries, and cook meals. You can let her know whatever you need and she’ll pick it up for you,” I say to Willow.

“I can do all that. You don’t need her. I’m staying here for free, I can chip in,” Willow offers.

“Uh, uh, that isn’t happening, Honey. You don’t need to worry about those things. I feel bad enough as it is that I have to leave the day after tomorrow. I’d feel better knowing you’ll have some help,” I state as we enter the nursery.

Kaleb put all my office equipment and Asher’s old bed in the locker I have downstairs.

Willow and I basically chose everything so it’s nice to see how it all came together.

“I can send a painter to change the color,” I offer.

“This green is actually perfect,” Willow says. “It feels tranquil.”

I sigh. It does. I also can’t believe I have a baby and a nursery in my apartment. My life changed like a whirlwind and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I just need this beautiful woman to get on board for a relationship.

Next, I show Willow her room. “Wow, you have a beautiful home, Brett.”

“Thanks. The truth is, I’m not here too often. It’s going to be hard to be away from you guys.” As I say the words, I realize how true they are. They haven’t been in my life long, but now it feels like they are my life.

“I wouldn’t want you retiring because of Maylee,” she says as if she can read my thoughts.

“Thanks, but I don’t have too many years left anyway,” I admit.

“But you love hockey. You shouldn’t stop working because of her. We can make things work with your schedule,” she assures.

“I appreciate that, Willow. Hockey’s been my life for a long time, but that’s changed in the last couple of weeks. I have a different perspective now.”

“I understand,” Willow says. “Having Maylee changed my perspective too, but I think it’s important to continue working and living our lives. There has to be a work-family balance. I didn’t have that on the farm. It’s why I wanted to come back here so badly.”

Not going to lie, her words sting a little, even though I know my expectations of an us should be low. I just hoped on some level I was part of the reason she came back to New York.

“Have you been in touch with work at all?” I ask, wanting to hide my hurt feelings.

“Yeah, my manager told me to come by tomorrow and discuss hours. I also need to coordinate with the day care. They said they have space for Maylee and can work around my schedule,” she explains and then she yawns.

“I can take care of Maylee when you go into work,” I offer.

“Thanks.” She smiles and yawns again. “Sorry, it’s been a long day.”

“Don’t apologize, it’s been a big day for us all,” I say to show her I understand.

“Thanks, I told them I would come by around lunchtime.”

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