Page 28 of Scoring with the Coach's Daughter

When I return downstairs, I find the kitchen is spotless. I refill my coffee cup and walk to the porch and Ellie rushes past me with her backpack to the truck to join Jake.

“Where are you running to so fast?”

“Camp!” she beams at me.

“No hugs?”

“I love you, have a great day,” I call after her.

“I love you, too,” she chirps, then she leaps off the porch steps and races to Jake who waves at me.

I wave back. “Have fun!”

She wraps her arms around me and I lean over to embrace her, kissing the top of her head.

He nods and helps Ellie into the truck and they drive off.

Maggie walks up.

“Good morning,” she says, giving me a telling smile. She reads me like a well-read novel.

We stand on the porch of my house and my gaze drifts to the neighboring building, the Dragonfly Inn.

“He’s really good with her,” I murmur as I watch the two of them drive off.

Maggie nods, her expression thoughtful. “It’s good for her,you know. Being around new people, learning new things. It’s expanding her horizons.”

I chew on my lip. “I’m just... not used to sharing her. It’s always been just us.”

“And that’s why it’s good,” Maggie said, her voice gentle but firm. “You’re both allowed to have more people in your lives, Sam. It doesn’t take anything away from what you already have.”

“I suppose not. But it’s an adjustment.”

“One that’s needed if you ask me. It’s been years since you’ve had a date and it looks like he’s serious.”

“That’s what scares me. I wasn’t going to get involved. I can’t risk Ellie having another adult leave her.”

“You don’t want to risk another adult leaving you either, but it happens. You can’t stand on the sidelines forever because one day, that little girl will have a life and family of her own. And where will you be? I love this town, but I hope you leave it one day. It’s easy being a large fish in a small pond. You’re talented enough to swim with the sharks in the ocean.”

“I don’t want the chaos or the traffic of his world. I don’t want to feel like I have to compete with the runway models.” I’m suddenly self-conscious of the fact that I could lose a few pounds.

“You’ve been to a large city before Sam. You can do it again. There’s nothing to prevent you from moving to be with him.”

“It’s too soon. Jake's been great. Ellie is infatuated with him. He gives her all his attention when he’s with her. But, our life is here.”

“You think your life begins and ends right here, but these are modern times. Besides, Ellie might like a change of scenery. This is idyllic, but is it preparing her for the real world? You can’t keep her in a bubble forever. Some manwill break her heart and you’ll be sitting helplessly on the sidelines. She’s growing up and you can’t change that.”

“No, I can’t.”

“I have to get to the restaurant,” she says, observing my face for signs of what? I’m not sure. “You like him,” she smirks.

“Of course,” I chuckle. “The man has the body of a Greek God and he’s talented on the field and between the bedsheets,” I smirk. “And I have news for you, the celly in the endzone is nothing compared to what he can do with his tongue.”

Maggie laughs hysterically. I’m sure she’s shocked by the fact I’m discussing my love life.

“I never doubted it,” she chuckles. “I’ve noticed that townies have been in this week, hoping for a glimpse of Jake. You’re going to make every female in town jealous. It’s clear he only has eyes for you.”

“Mm.”

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