Page 65 of The Forever Play

“I’ve heard a lot about you.” He gives me a knowing smile, and a surge of butterflies cascades through me as I glance at Zander.

His gaze is kind of soft and mushy and…

Yeah, I really am in trouble.

I don’t think I’m going to be able to stop myself from falling headfirst for this guy all over again.

CHAPTER 24

ZANDER

It takes Zoey all of three seconds to convince me to play with her at the park.

Sienna’s bright smile is working some kind of magic on me, and I’m pretty sure I would do just about anything for either of them right now.

Grady and Teah join us, and Zoey refuses to go anywhere without Wily, so he has to tag along too. Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to mind.

With a football tucked against his side, he walks in front of the stroller, turning to pull faces at Zoey, which causes fits of giggles.

I can’t help laughing or smiling every time that sound pops out of her mouth. It’s adorable.

Wily twirls the ball in his hands, which is a habit I’m sure he’s had since he was old enough to hold a football. As soon as we’re within sight of the park, Grady starts sprinting and calling for a pass. Wily hurls it, but Grady’s already outrun him, and I can’t help a soft scoff.

“Shut up.” Wily laughs. “I’m no quarterback.”

Grady throws the ball back and I easily catch it, showing off just a little as I send a perfect spiral across the grass. Grady catches it like the pro he is and gets a whistle from his girlfriend.

“Looking good, baby.”

He blows her a kiss, and Wily chases after him.

I linger by the stroller while Sienna unbuckles Zoey and sets her loose. She tries to chase after the big boys, but her little legs aren’t fast enough and she soon runs out of steam.

“She’s so cute.” Teah nudges Sienna with her elbow, and the girls quickly get lost in a conversation.

I run after Zoey, turning back to glance at them and noticing Sienna’s smile grow.

Damn, she is so fucking beautiful.

For a second, it takes me back to watching her in high school. Sometimes I’d get to the cafeteria and she was already sitting at our table, laughing and talking with Olivia and Emily. I’d have to stop and watch her for a second… just drink her in.

But then she’d inevitably sense my gaze and?—

Sienna’s eyes dart to mine, her cheeks turning a pretty pink as she quickly breaks eye contact and tucks her hair behind her ear.

Teah’s still talking, and Sienna nods, then says something that makes them both laugh.

This feeling in my chest is overwhelming and I stop running, turning to face her properly just so I can really drink her in.

“Foobawl!” Zoey yells behind me just before two little arms wrap around my leg.

I lift my foot, and she squeals in delight as I startwalking to the playground with her wrapped around my leg.

“Again! Again!” She keeps going until we’ve made it to the sandpit.

As soon as we’re there, she lets me go and takes off for the jungle gym.

I race after her, surprised by her sudden burst of speed. For such little legs, she’s pretty damn quick.

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