Page 74 of Fielder's Choice

Why is it so loud then?

I lean up to stretch, and in doing so, I fall to the floor.

Ah.

Now I know why the door knocking is so loud. Lane and I apparently fell asleep on the couch last night.

The resounding thud from my ass hitting the floor causes him to jolt awake.

“What are you doing on the floor, Olive?” His voice is still rough from sleep, and the timbre sears through me, landing between my legs.

Awesome. Even his voice will turn me on.

“We fell asleep on the couch,” I groan as I stand up. “Someone is knocking on your door, and I need to hide because I’m notwearing pants. I need to stop falling asleep here when I’m not planning on it.”

Lane stands and stretches himself out, still in the suit pants and button-down he wore on our date last night. Scrubbing a hand down his face, he says, “This is probably Josh and Ella with Sage. You might just have to wrap the blanket around you for now.”

I sigh and grab the blanket from the floor, tying it around my waist so it looks like a maxi skirt.

When Lane opens the door, Sage comes barreling in with Josh and Ella trailing behind her.

“Morning, man,” Josh says as he sets Sage’s things down by the door. “How was the da—” He cuts off abruptly when he notices me in the living room. “I’m going to guess it went well,” he smirks.

“Nothing happened,” I rush out before lowering my voice. “We fell asleep on the couch.”

“Why are you in his shirt?” Ella questions. “And why are you wearing a blanket?”

“The shirt is a long story. But the blanket is because I’m injustthe shirt. It’s long enough, but I’d rather not accidentally flash someone.”

Ella throws her arm around my shoulder and leans close to my ear. “I have leggings in the car. We’re the same height, so they should fit you just fine, Liv.”

“Thank you.”

Sage finally takes notice of my presence. “Owive here, Daddy!”

“I am, sweet girl,” I say with faux happiness, trying to not let on to anything that happened last night. We already agreed we’re not going to be too close in front of her. “I, uh…”

“Olive came over for a tea party, Lovebug!” Lane chimes, sweeping his daughter off her feet and plastering kisses all over her face.

“Yes! I’m here for a tea party.”

“What a coincidence,” Ella smiles, mussing up Sage’s hair. “Uncle Josh and I are here for a tea party, too!”

“We are?” Josh asks, looking confused.

Ella sighs in exasperation. “He’s so clueless sometimes,” she mutters under her breath. “Yes, we are, Joshy.”

Lane sets Sage back on the floor. “Why don’t you go set up the table in your bedroom, Sagie?”

She sprints down the hallway now, disappearing into her bedroom to set up a tea party.

Josh looks right at us now. “Lane, you’re still in last night’s clothing.”

He rubs the back of his neck. “Like Liv said, we fell asleep on the couch. I didn’t change before we sat down, so I must have fallen asleep in this.”

“How was the date, though?!” Ella asks excitedly.

I bite down a smile. “The date was great. We had a very nice time.”

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