Page 138 of Fielder's Choice

The elevator dings, and as soon as the doors open, I run off, dropping my bags on the floor.

“Daddy!” I hear my daughter squeal and then the pitter-patter of her little feet before she jumps into my arms.

“Lovebug!” I say, pulling Sage into my chest and planting kisses on the top of her head. “I missed you so much, Sagie. Did you have fun with Aunt Rory?”

“And Owive!” she exclaims.

As if on cue, Olive appears, wearing a pair of tight jeans and a Stars shirt she must have stolen from my closet.

“Hey, Lane,” she says softly, tucking her hands into the back pockets of her jeans.

“Olive…”

I set my daughter down on her feet, and in two strides, I close the distance between Olive and me, immediately sealing my lips over hers.

Fuck not telling Sage about us. I’m in love with this woman, and I’m done hiding that from my daughter.

Olive melts into me, draping her arms around my neck and sighing against my mouth.

I hear Sage gasp. “Daddy kissing Mommy!”

I feel my heart thumping in my chest as I abruptly break our kiss and look down at my daughter. “Sage,” I say gently, voice breathy. “What did you just call Olive?”

“Mommy,” she replies as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.

I turn to Olive now, and I see a smile tugging at the corner of her lips as she bites her thumb. “Liv…”

“I didn’t tell her to say that, I swear,” she laughs uneasily. “She kind of told the girls that I’m her mom a few weeks ago. It was completely unprompted, and we tried to correct her, but she was steadfast. I just… wasn’t sure what you’d think about it.”

“You weren’t sure what I’d think?” I breathe out a soft laugh with a bright smile on my face. “You wanna know what I think then?”

“Yes,” she replies nervously.

I kiss her again, tenderly and passionately. I try to let my lips speak for me, but I know Olive, and I know she needs confirmation of how I’m feeling.

“Liv,” I grin. “My daughter hasneverhad a mother. But you…“ My words start coming out choked as my emotions overwhelm me. “You came in andbecameher mother. You were worried what I’d think, but this is the best thing, baby.Youare what we’ve been waiting for.”

“This isn’t moving too fast for you?” I can hear the worry in her voice, and I kiss it away with a soft peck on her lips.

“How can it be too fast when we’ve been waiting for you for years?”

“Lane…”

“Olive,” I smile against her lips. “Nothing is too fast when I’ve been falling in love with you since I met you.”

Her eyes snap to mine, looking for dishonesty that she doesn’t find. “What?”

“You heard me. I wouldn’t be doing this right now, letting Sage see if I wasn’t absolutely certain about you. And I’m certain because I’m in love with you. God, I didn’t plan on telling you yet, but Sage called you Mom, and that’s it for me.You’reit for me. I love you. I don’t expect you to say it back yet, but I want you to know exactly how I feel about you.”

Olive leans up and kisses me softly. “You’re so incredible, Lane.”

I smile and just enjoy the moment.

She’s not ready to say it back, and that’s okay. She’s been through so much, and she can take all the time she needs to realize she loves me, too.

I bend down and pick up my—our?—daughter, holding her at my side. “Sagie, I’ve got to tell you something. Daddy and Olive are together.”

“Together?”

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