Page 175 of Fielder's Choice

“I’ll get you a chest freezer then. You’re on your own for the rest, though. Have you seen the price of eggs?”

Lucia is trying not to smile, but it eventually breaks through when she starts laughing. “You’re ridiculous.” She playfully pushes me with her elbow. “But thank you for that. I think I needed you to lighten the mood.”

“That’s what I’m here for, Luc. Don’t be too hard on yourself, okay?”

“Thanks, Lane,” she smiles softly. “I see your girlfriend coming out, so I’m gonna go grab another drink.”

“As long as you agree to let me get you an Uber home. You can come pick your car up tomorrow.”

“Deal.” She passes by Olive on her way back in, and I hear her talk about how great she and Sage were today. I can’t see it, but I can picture the bright smile on Liv’s face.

Olive comes to stand next to me now, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders as we stare out at the sunset. “There’s my Ballerina.”

“Hey, Hotshot,” she says, nuzzling against my side. “Today has been so nice, hasn’t it?”

“Yeah,” I smile. “Stars got the win, and then I watched my two favorite girls dance together on stage. Best day I’ve had.”

“I had so much fun teaching your daughter this year.”

“Ourdaughter.”

She looks at me nervously. “Do you really want me to start considering her my daughter, too?”

I pull her in closer. “Well, you’re her mom, aren’t you?”

Olive smiles as she rests her forehead against my chest. “Thank you for giving me everything I’ve ever wanted, Lane.”

“Thank you for finding us.”

She gazes at me sweetly, so much love in her eyes, before she speaks again. “I’ve been thinking lately. About what I want to do with my life.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” she bites her lip. “I bought some GED test prep materials so I can study. I’m hoping I can take the exam this fall.”

“That’s wonderful, baby.” I pull her close and gently kiss her lips.

“Then maybe I can start college next year.”

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

Liv grins happily. “I want to be a counselor, specifically for victims of sexual assault. I’ve done so much healing lately, and if I can help someone who’s been in my shoes, then I want to do that.”

“I think that’s a perfect idea,” I say, resting my forehead against hers. “You’d be wonderful at that.”

“You think?”

”Iknow.You know what they’ve been through, so you can help them on that front. But you’re also such a bright and amazing person. You’re going to be able to help every person you come in contact with.”

Olive’s eyes flutter closed, a soft smile on her face. “Thank you, Lane. Your support means so much.”

“You have all of my support forever, baby. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Meeting Olive is one of the best damn things that’s ever happened to me, and I’m so proud of how much she’s accomplished since.

She was so nervous and shy when we met that day at Urban Grind, but she’s really come into her confidence. She still has her moments, but they’re fewer and farther between.

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