Page 35 of Fielder's Choice

I mimic her movement. “Like that?”

“Good, Daddy,” she claps.

When Sage woke up from her nap today, she found me on the sofa watching ballet videos.

Because I like being around my daughter’s teacher so much, I want to learn all about what she enjoys.

Sage decided then that she had toteachme. So, in gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt, my daughter and I are in our living room as I learn all of her favorite ballet moves.

I don’t really know what the fuck I’m doing, but my daughter is elated to be doing this with me, so I’m more than happy to keep trying. Anything I can do to put that bright smile on her face is worth it.

And I’m hoping I can learn enough to actually have a conversation about ballet with Olive.

Sage is now demonstrating a relevé by popping up onto the balls of her feet with her arms round in front of her, so I do that in return.

“And sauté,” I hear from behind me. I startle and quickly turn around to find Rory and Cole watching us from the entryway.

“Sauté?” Cole questions.

I laugh. “Apparently, that’s for more than just cooking.” Sage runs over into Rory’s arms, and I walk to join them. “Why did I give you an elevator key again?”

“Because I’m the nanny,” Rory smirks.

Cole leans against the wall with his arms crossed. “Plus, how else would we be able to catch you trying to be a ballerina?”

“Men are ballerinos,” I chide, thankful I learned that during my deep dive over Sage’s nap. “I’m just… learning more about what my daughter likes.”

“And that has nothing to do with her teacher that you can’t stop thinking about?” Rory eyes me.

I sigh. No sense in denying it. “Yeah, that’s obviously part of it. I thought it would be good to learn what she likes. But it’s for Sage, too. I can see how much she loves ballet, and as her father, I want to learn more about what she enjoys.”

“You’ve got a good daddy, Lovebug,” Cole smiles, mussing up her hair while she grins.

“Love Daddy.”

No matter how many times she says that, I’ll always melt when I hear my daughter say those words.

“I love you, too, Sagie. So, so much.” I kiss the top of her head. “Are you ready to go to Aunt Rory and Uncle Cole’s for tonight?”

“Yes!”

“Why do you two want to watch her again?” I ask them.

Rory smiles. “This was Cole’s idea. Said he missed her, and we should have her over tonight.”

I smirk at Cole. “Sounds to me like someone is ready for his own kids.”

He shrugs and bites his lip. “Whenever she’s ready.”

Rory blushes. “Just enjoy the practice for now.”

“I’m good with just pretending for the moment,” he says, wrapping an arm around his wife’s back.

Based on that statement, my friends apparently have a breeding kink, and Ireallydidn’t need to fucking know that.

“Anyway,” Rory says, steering the conversation back. “Got any plans tonight?”

“Nah,” I admit. “It’ll just be a relaxing night at home.”

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