Page 23 of Taking The Shot

Constance knew why.

This wasn’t love. This wasn’t a fairy tale. This was an arrangement—a practical, logical decision for them both. But no matter what, Paige and Kayla would always come first. If this transition proved too much for them, she would not hesitate to put their needs before anything else.

“I’m thinking about it,” Constance answered gently, keeping her tone soft and reassuring. She didn’t want Paige to feel like this was being forced upon her. Change was hard enough as it was.

Paige’s sharp eyes flicked toward Keith, taking in his presence, the way he stood just a little too stiffly. She was wary of him, of what he meant for their future. He was an unknown, a new factor in a life she was already working hard to understand. Constance had seen the way Paige studied himin quiet moments, as if trying to measure how he would fit into their world—or if he would fit at all.

“This would be a big house,” Constance continued, choosing her words carefully. “With large rooms, a movie theater room, a big backyard… and I would be at home more often with you both.”

Paige’s small fingers gripped the cell phone, her brows furrowing as she glanced at the screen. A picture of the house Keith had found was displayed, its warm, inviting interior almost dreamlike.

“But withhim.”

“Yes.”

Paige’s lips pressed together in thought before her gaze shifted to Keith. “And you play hockey?” she questioned, her voice flat, giving nothing away.

Keith, to his credit, didn’t falter under her scrutiny. “Yes,” he said evenly. Then, after a brief pause, he added, “Would you like to learn?”

That seemed to catch Paige off guard. She blinked, her expression shifting slightly. She had never shown any interest in sports before, and she never once asked about joining a team or picking up a stick. Constance watched her daughter carefully, wondering what was running through her mind. Was she trying to test Keith? To see if he was serious? Or was this curiosity genuine?

“Maybe…” Paige answered, the word drawn out, careful.

Keith’s mouth twitched, and instead of pressing her, he mirrored her tone playfully. “Then maybe…” he mused. “Maybe once we get settled in the new house, if you decide to learn, I’d be happy to show you.”

Paige’s eyes narrowed as if deciding whether she liked that answer. Then, with a dramatic huff, she looked back at the screen. “Hmph.”

Constance hid a smile. That wasn’t a no. That was something.

“So that would be my room,” Paige stated, pointing to the image of one of the bedrooms on the screen.

“Yes.”

“And Kayla would have the other room?”

“Yes.”

“Where would your room be?” Paige asked, turning her gaze back to her mother.

Constance took a breath, knowing this question carried more weight than the others. “Well,” she began carefully, “we would do a walkthrough of the house together because it’s hard to show you in the pictures. But it’s this one.” She pointed to the master bedroom on the screen, keeping her voice even and reassuring.

Paige was quiet for a long moment. Moving was a big deal. Moving into a house with a man who was practically a stranger? That was something else entirely. Constance knew that no matter how much she tried to ease the transition, it would take time. And patience.

“I like that house with the bedrooms,” Paige finally said. “But I want a cat.”

Constance barely had time to process that demand before she caught Paige sneaking a glance at Keith, watching him closely, waiting for him to say no.

Keith didn’t hesitate. “Then we’ll get you one as soon as you get moved in.”

Paige’s head snapped toward him, her mouth slightly open in surprise.

Just like that, Keith nodded, reaching for the phone that Paige was holding so he could start the process. “I’ll send off the paperwork tonight if that’s the one.”

Paige hesitated, then gave a slow, thoughtful nod.

“I think so,” Constance said, speaking the words aloud as if her daughter was the true deciding factor for all of them.

Keith exhaled slightly as if that was one small hurdle cleared. But there was still one more thing to discuss. He lifted his fourth finger, a small, pointed gesture.

---