Page 111 of Fielder's Choice

“To Sage’s third birthday?”

“Sure, to Sage’s third birthday.”

I smile as we clink our glasses together, toasting to my daughter turning three. We each take a sip before setting the glasses on the marble beneath us.

“You know,” Olive says softly. “I saw you talking to my mom earlier.”

I lean back, bracing my hands on the counter. “Yeah. We were talking about you.”

“You seem to really like talking about me.”

“You’re my favorite subject, Livvy.”

“I figured that would be Sage,” she teases.

I chuckle. “You’re right. You’re mysecondfavorite subject.”

“Honored to be in the top two,” she smiles, and I feel it in my heart. She’s already taken up permanent residence there.

Olive leans closer to me, so I meet her halfway, pressing my lips to hers. She slides closer, so I wrap my arm around her shoulder.

“I think I’m addicted to kissing you,” I say, lips brushing over hers.

“I don’t mind that addiction,” she breathes, her green eyes sparkling in the kitchen lights.

“Didn’t think you would.”

I rest my hand under her hair at the nape of her neck, angling her head and bringing her in again, kissing her more deeply than before. She swipes into my mouth, and I can taste the wine on her tongue.

After we part, Olive sighs and presses her forehead to mine. “I love being around you, Lane.”

I brush my fingers over her cheek. “Your mom has noticed that, too. She also mentioned how well you’ve been doing the past few months.”

“It’s not all because of you,” she replies softly, “but you’re definitely part of it. With everything you’ve been teaching me, I’m learning so much more about myself. I feel like I’m gaining confidence finally.”

“You are,” I assure her. “I can see how your confidence has grown. It’s fucking incredible, Liv. I love getting to watch you take yourself back.”

“I’ve been trying to think of other ways to do that,” Olive says.

“And what have you come up with?”

“That I should figure out what I want to do with my life. I’ve considered signing up for the GED test since I never graduated high school. That probably has to be my first step.”

“Is that what you want to do?” I ask.

“Yes,” she replies, a small smile on her lips. “I want to do that. I love ballet, but I don’t think I want to teach it for the rest of my life. I feel like I’m meant to do something else.”

“Then that’s fucking amazing, baby.” I capture her lips again. “It’s just another way you’re taking yourself back.”

“It is. I want my life back, and I want to feel normal. I think that’s really going to help.”

“Have you thought about what you want to do?”

“Not really,” Olive sighs. “But I need to pass the GED before I can even think about a career.”

I place my hands on her shoulders and look into her eyes. “Whatever you decide you want to do, you’re going to fucking kill it, Liv. You’re kind and passionate, and you can do whatever you set your mind to.”

“You think?” she asks, looking at me hopefully.

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