Page 61 of Hat Trick Holidate

“Laney. Really? You were a baby the last time I saw you.” It was just last year, but I’ve heard Reed say things like that.

Proud as a peacock, she puts her hands on her hips and declares, “I’m five, and I go to school. Let’s go, Jolie.” They take off running.

Dane and Reed choke out a laugh. Why is it that other kids don’t care if she talks, but I can’t think of anything I want more?

Until Emmaline comes into my view.

She’s running her fingers through her hair and pulls it over oneshoulder.

I was wrong.

I want Emmaline more than I want Jolie to speak.

If Jolie never says a word to me, I’ll know she loves me just like I love her. But I need Emmaline in my life as more than a friend and more than a nanny.

Dane says, “I can’t believe you found her.”

At first, I think he’s talking about my daughter and realize he’s talking about Emmaline. I raise my brows, focusing on Dane. “Yeah.” I sigh. “It sucks that I can’t have her… at least not right now,” I say, trying to throw everyone off the secret relationship trail.

“Why?”

I dig my hands into my jean pockets. “Because she’s Jolie’s nanny and Rustavelli’s sister.”

“In college, Devon’s sister dated a teammate. Now, they’re married. Don’t put parameters on your relationship. Hell, you know that’s what Lettie and I did, and we wasted so much time,” Dane offers his advice.

“It was one night.”

Reed elbows me in the side where my ribs are bruised. “Tell the truth.”

“What the fuck? Are you trying to keep me out of the lineup?”

“Okay, Rustavelli can’t find out. He’ll attempt to kill me, and he’ll lose his career. He’s on thin ice with his contract. Please keep it between us. Jolie needs Emmaline, and I don’t want another woman disappearing from my life because I can’t keep my mouth closed.”

Reed’s solemn expression tells me everything I already know. Rustavelli will blow a gasket.

“We’re going to be friends and get to know each other.”

Danes slaps my back. “The way you’re staring at her is more than friends… take it from me. I know.”

Lettie, Emmaline, and Brooke stride over. “It’s time to let the balloons go. The kids are excited.”

“Let’s celebrate and find out if we’re having a boy or girl,” Dane says as he leans down to kiss Lettie.

Emmaline’s eyes crinkle at the corners she’s smiling so hard. “Thank you for having me and letting my brother and me join in your celebration.”

“I’ve been waiting for you, Rusti…avelli. Is that how you pronounce it?” Lettie covers for her slip of the tongue as Roman and Shearer approach us.

“Rust-A-velli,” Roman says. “Don’t worry, lots of people say it with an I. Sounds more Italian, right?”

The kids hand out balloons to everyone before getting one themselves. Dane and Lettie go around popping balloons. Only one has blue or pink confetti inside. They pop the balloons the kids are holding first and none of them have confetti inside. Lettie’s grandparents don’t have the winning balloon, and her granny says, “Well, shit.”

Emmaline stands between me and Roman. “I bet Shearer has it since he babysits for them.”

“Maybe Brooke since they’ve been best friends since college,” I say.

“Which one, Lettie Bug? Your turn to choose.” Dane looks at Lettie.

She taps her fingers against her lips and then takes the pin and moves in front of all three of our balloons, saying, “Eeny meeny miny moe.” Pink confetti floats down on my head like snowflurries.

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