Page 99 of Restricted List

We’ve been together one fucking day, and we’ve already slipped and got caught by someone.

“Did my dad notice?” I whisper nervously.

Lane laughs. “Seeing as he didn’t march after you both, I’d say you’re safe.” He leans closer now, lowering his voice. “Cole wasn’t the same man this morning as he was at the bachelor party. Is this official now?”

I just sigh. “Please don’t say anything. We’re talking to everyone tomorrow. But… yes.”

“Finally. I’ve been rooting for you two.”

“You didn’t even know I liked him until literally last month,” I chide.

“And ever since, I’ve been pulling for you.”

I laugh heartily. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Makes life more fun,” he smiles.

“Dada!” a tiny voice cuts through the crowd.

“Lovebug!” Lane says as he scoops up Sage in his arms.

“Your child is too damn fast,” my dad says as he walks over to join us. “I can’t keep up with her.”

“Ah, Skip,” he says, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “That’s because you’re an old man.”

“Watch it, Brooks.”

Lane laughs before his face scrunches up. “Oh God, what’s that smell?”

“A present from your daughter,” my dad laughs. “Consider it an early Christmas gift.”

“You shouldn’t have, Sagie.” She giggles as she clings to Lane’s shoulders. “You really shouldn’t have. Come on, let’s get you cleaned up and hope this isn’t a blowout. I really don’t need shit all over my suit.”

“Shit!”

I double over in laughter and wipe a tear from my eye. “Oh my God, one of the only words she can fully say. Good job, Lane.”

He grumbles as he walks away, leaving just me and my dad at the bar.

“You look beautiful tonight, baby girl.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I lean closer as he places a kiss on my cheek.

“I saw you dancing earlier. With Cole.”

My breath catches in my throat. Time to sell this.

“The entire wedding party was dancing, to be fair.”

“I know,” he smiles. “You two are friends, aren’t you?”

“We’re all friends. But when the Best Man and Maid of Honor decided to dance together, and the other two people in the wedding party were an actual couple, that just left Cole and me.”

“Fair enough. I like him. Probably the only guy on the team that isn’t a complete pain in my ass.”

I choke on a laugh. “Yeah, he’s a good guy. It’s a Pierce thing, I think.”

He chuckles. “You’ve seemed so much happier lately, Rory.”

---