Page 88 of The Forever Play

She giggles. “Up?”

“It’s not playtime.” I tap my watch. “It’s still nighttime. See?” I point to the window behind her. “It’s still dark outside.”

“Zoey wanna pay.”

“I know,” I whisper, leaning down to lightly kiss her cheek. “I have to go to football now, but I can play with you later.”

“You come back?”

“Yeah, I’m coming back.” I smile at her.

She grins at me, and my heart is undone.

“Zander Donohue.” A firm voice grabs my attention.

I whip around to find Sienna in Zoey’s doorway, her arms crossed and a stern look on her face. “You get your butt out that door right now. I will not be responsible for you being late.”

“Mommy!” Zoey squeals and starts jumping again.

I laugh, kissing Zoey’s cheek before walking for the door and brushing my lips across Sienna’s cheek too. “See you later, Sparks.”

“Yes, you will.” The burning desire in her eyes sets my insides on fire, and I lean down to kiss her one last time before she slaps my ass and orders me out of the house.

I’m running so fucking late by the time I get back toFootball Frat. The guys are already piling out of the house, asking me where the hell I’ve been.

My smile gives me away, and I then have to put up with some serious razzing. Grady waits for me to grab my shit, and we head to the athletes’ food hall together. They always open early on game day and make sure we’re eating the exact food we need to get us through. The chefs are world-class, and we sit at those tables while I field a barrage of questions and gibes, shoveling food into my mouth and trying my best to get focused for the game ahead.

CHAPTER 33

SIENNA

Zoey never goes back to sleep, and the morning stretches out in front of me. Russell doesn’t get back until really late tonight, and I’m kind of glad about that. I need to talk to him about Zander, and I’m pretty sure it’ll go down like a bucket of cold vomit.

I probably shouldn’t invite Zander back here tonight. I can only imagine the carnage if he strolls out of my room tomorrow morning and bumps into Russell in the kitchen or something.

No, I have to talk to my roommate first, and I’ll do that as soon as I see him in the morning. It’s all about the way I sell it. I’ll be upbeat and let him know that I’ve forgiven Zander and I’m deliriously happy. Surely he’ll come around, right?

Surely he wants me to be happy.

And how cool is it that I’ve reunited with Zoey’s father?

I mean, it’s meant to be, isn’t it?

My little girl is finally getting the family she was supposed to have all along.

Memories of last night continue to flitter through me as I go about the day, doing the housework and making sure the place is spotless for Russell’s return. Anything to aid my cause, right?

Zoey toddles around after me, chatting away, singing, playing, getting under my feet. But her “help” is also adorable, and I’m in too good a mood to let her antics—even the annoying ones—bother me today.

Zander loves me.

I’ve forgiven him.

We’re back together!

Ahhhh! This is crazy and so freaking right.

Humming to myself, I pull Zoey’s sheets out of the dryer and put the next load in. All I have left to do is unload the dishwasher.

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