Page 62 of Forever Player

I take it as a good sign.

We head through the walkways and out to the baggage collection area. I text Maddie we will be out soon. While I wait for our suitcases, Willow finds a bench to feed Maylee.

With our five suitcases and carry-on baggage loaded up on a cart, I walk over to Willow.

“We got everything,” I say.

She has Maylee on her shoulder, burping her, and she nods. We head through the main exit doors into the arrivals area. Maddie is waving at me and I nod to show I spotted her.

Maddie comes running up to us. “OMG, hi, how are you?” she says, focusing on Willow. “You are just so beautiful. I’ve heard so much about you. I couldn’t wait to meet you.”

Maddie means well but she has Willow looking confused.

“You mean you heard about Maylee?” Willow corrects.

“Oh no,” my sister replies, shaking her head. “It’s you I’ve been dying to meet.” She gives Willow a half hug. “And look at you, pretty girl,” she says to Maylee. “Can I hold her?”

Willow passes Maylee over to Maddie, who gushes over my baby girl.

“Asher.” I pick my nephew up and swing him around.

“We missed you,” he says to me. I hold him in my arms and give him a hug.

“I missed you too,” I tell him. I watch Willow watching me. “This is my nephew, Asher. He’s the coolest dude you’ll ever meet.”

“Nice to meet you, Asher,” Willow says, smiling. “You are completely adorable.”

“Mom said I have a cousin now. Can I hold her too?”

“You know what, buddy,” I cut in since Willow seems stuck, “I think it’s best if you hold Maylee when we are back at home. That way you can sit on the couch. Does that sound okay?”

My nephew nods and smiles and I ruffle his hair.

We all get loaded up in Maddie’s SUV.

“I live next door to you guys, Willow, so if you need anything, just let me know. I’m in culinary school during the day but I am home most evenings, unless I’m taking Asher for his hockey practice,” Maddie explains to Willow.

“Thanks, that’s very sweet,” Willow replies.

“Hopefully we can spend some time getting to know each other. My boyfriend, Kaleb, is on the team with Brett and they travel a lot, so we can hang out together. I love cooking, so if you like we can do some meals together when the guys are on the road and also when they are home.” Maddie is babbling and I get it. She is super excited for me but what she doesn’t know is that Willow and I aren’t together. She knows I like Willow, but that’s about it. I hope Willow doesn’t think she’s coming on too strong.

“That sounds really nice,” Willow says. “Living on the farm got pretty lonely. It’ll be nice to have friends close by.”

“Can I help take care of Maylee?” Asher asks.

“I would love the help,” Willow responds with a smile and she looks at me. I smile too.

We head up to the apartment.

“Kaleb set up the crib when he was in town,” Maddie explains.

“I’ll need to thank him,” I say to her.

“Can we go over to Uncle Brett’s?” Asher asks outside my apartment door.

“Uncle Brett is probably tired. We can go over another day,” Maddie assures. “You guys have a good night. Stacia came by earlier so she stocked the fridge.”

“Thanks, Mads,” I say to my sister. “You two have a good night. It’s good to be home.”

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