Page 49 of Fielder's Choice

She’s animated with it. She’s acting out the different voices, and my daughter’s giggles echo off the walls.

Seeing the two of them together like this makes my heart swell. I feel as though I’m watching an actual mother and daughter spending time together, and instead of a pang of sadness over wondering when I’ll find that for Sage, all I feel wash over me is contentment.

My girladoresthe woman whose lap she’s perched on, and the happiness radiating from Olive tells me that she’s enjoying the moment just as much.

I was only being cocky when I told Ari I found Sage’s new mom. The more I know Olive, though, the more truth I start to feel in those words.

My want from her isn’t just physical. I actually really fucking like her.

I know I need to take things slow, but I have to show her that here is right where she belongs.

Withus.

seventeen

Olive

“Youseemtiredtoday,Olive.” Corinne looks at me in concern.

“I had a nightmare last night,” I say softly, bringing my legs up in front of me and wrapping my arms around them.

“Was it the usual nightmare?” she asks, jotting down some notes.

“Yes. I was reliving the moment. It felt so real.” A stray tear falls from the corner of my eye as I start to lose my composure. “It’s just like it was happening all over again.”

“When was the last time you had that nightmare?”

I wipe the back of my hand across my cheek. “Six months ago, maybe. It’s been a while.”

Corinne crosses one leg over the other and pushes her short, black hair behind her ear. “What do you think caused the nightmare last night then? Were you doing something different yesterday? Something that might make you anxious?”

“Yes,” I reply quietly. “I stayed with Lane last night.”

“And Lane is your student’s father, right? He’s the man you’ve mentioned getting close to?”

I nod. “We’ve been spending more time together. Yesterday, Sage said she wanted me to come over for a slumber party, and I didn’t want to say no to a girl that’s not even three.”

Corinne raises her eyebrow. “Is that the only reason you went?”

“No,” I sigh. “I wanted to see Lane, too. We talked for a while after Sage went to bed. He was telling me about how Sage is his only family since his parents and grandparents died. It became a very honest conversation.”

“What about that conversation made you uncomfortable then?”

“Lane saying he adores me. He likes being with me, and he can see how happy I am around him. He also mentioned wanting me… physically.”

Corinne nods in understanding. “And you think that was what caused your nightmare?”

“I do. He told me he’d never pressure me, especially once I told him about the virgin thing. But it felt gross saying that because it feels like I’m lying since it isn’t black and white.”

“We’ve talked about that, Olive.”

“I know,” I breathe, pushing my hair over my shoulder. “But what if that’s only how we feel? What if he thinks differently when he finds out?”

She raises an eyebrow. “Do you believe he’ll think differently?”

I mull it over before saying, “No, I don’t think he will. He’s so understanding. I was screaming in my sleep last night, so Lane came in to make sure I was okay. He let me cry into his chest as he held me. Then he carried me to the living room and made me a cup of tea so I could calm down. After that, he had me sleep beside him because he didn’t want to leave me alone.”

“Lane seems like a good man,” she smiles reassuringly.

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