Page 67 of Forever Player

“Wow, this is so good. You weren’t lying,” she groans and then holds the mug to her chest with both hands wrapped around it.

“Willow, there is one thing you need to know about me. I don’t lie. I’m a straightforward guy. I was honest with you the night we met. I am being honest with you now too.”

“That’s deep for a cup of coffee.” She giggles.

“Don’t do that,” I say, and her eyes turn round.

“What?” she asks with offense.

“You know what I’m talking about, Willow. I need you to know I’ll always give you the truth, no matter what. I don’t believe in games.”

“I appreciate that, Brett.” That’s all she says as she takes a seat at my kitchen table and drinks her coffee.

“Do you girls want to head out for breakfast?” I ask her.

“I’m starved.” She nods.

“Cool, I’m hungry too. I’ll go get dressed. But first I’ll get this little munchkin dressed,” I say lifting Maylee out of the high chair. I blow a raspberry on her belly and she laughs.

I head to Maylee’s room and dress her in a little jumper that has small flowers on it.

“Who’s my pretty girl?”

Her response is to smile and bat her thick dark lashes.

I place her in the crib with her mobile and she seems happy enough, so I go get dressed. Back in my room, I send my assistant, Stacia, a message asking if she can unpack our suitcases this morning while we go to breakfast. I get dressed in a pair of gray-colored jeans and an oatmeal-colored waffle Henley. I run my fingers through my hair and look in the mirror set up beside my closet on the wall.

You got to play your cards right with her. She wants you. Work your magic.

I shake out my shoulders a little, trying to take the edge off. I’ve never had to work for a girl before, yet it seems like I’ve been working for Willow since the first night we met.

I head out to the main room. Willow isn’t ready so I grab Maylee’s diaper bag, and I make sure it’s stocked with diapers, butt cream, and a change of clothes.

When Willow walks out of the room, my breath catches in my chest. She has her hair down in soft waves around her shoulders. She’s wearing a pair of baggy jeans with a heather-gray sweater that hangs off one shoulder. She looks beautiful and all I can think is I want to walk through life holding this woman’s hand and watching her smile because she doesn’t smile enough.

“Ready to go?” she asks, and she grabs the diaper bag.

“I got it ready; we just need some bottles, unless you’re up for breastfeeding.”

“I’ll breastfeed,” she confirms.

“Cool.”

We grab jackets and put on our boots. I wheel the stroller out into the hall. We get in the SUV and Willow’s cell rings.

“Aren’t you going to get it?” I ask.

“It’s Patty, I’ll talk to her later. Everyone wants to see us. I’ll see them when you are out of town.”

“You know the apartment is your home too. If you want to entertain or whatever, go ahead. I sent you Stacia’s contact. She can help out with whatever. I also asked her to come by this morning and unpack the suitcases.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Willow replies.

“I wanted to spend the last day before going back to work with my girls. I didn’t want to spend it organizing clothes.”

Willow remains quiet.

“What kind of breakfast are you in the mood for? Bacon, eggs, pancakes, or some organic healthy stuff?” I ask.

---