Page 65 of Fielder's Choice

“Eiween dance?” Sage asks, looking right at Eileen.

“Well, how could I ever say no to a face like that?”

My daughter lights up as Eileen takes her hand and helps her spin around the room.

Olive makes her way over to me while they do.

I whisper to her, “If they weren’t here right now, I’d already be kissing you, Ballerina.”

She bites down her grin, cheeks slightly flushed. “And if they weren’t here, I’d be okay with that.”

I smile at her softly. “I love watching you with my daughter.”

“I just love her. She’s sweet and fun, and she tries so hard. She’s kind of hard not to obsess over.”

“Believe me, I know the feeling,” I laugh. “Everyone around us loves her, too. She’s the only blood family I have left, but we still have plenty of family.”

“That’s so sweet,” Olive smiles. “I love that your friends treat her like family.”

“Ourfriends, Liv. They’re your friends now, too. Even Rory’s dad, though, adores her. Sage is practically his granddaughter. We’re really lucky to be surrounded by the people we are. That includes you.”

I look right into her eyes as I say that, mind lost in the depths of green. The shade is so deep and rich, more akin to a forest than an emerald. It’s not a shade I’ve seen before, but it’s absolutely beautiful.

“I’m lucky to know you two as well, Lane,” she says softly. “I’ve only known you for a month and your daughter for two, but I like the impact you’ve already had.”

I can see Eileen across the room, watching us with curiosity, obviously sensing this isn’t a completely innocent conversation. Her lips tilt up in a smile before she goes back to dancing with my daughter.

“What are your plans for Friday?” I ask Olive, not missing my opportunity.

“I don’t have any plans,” she replies. “Why?”

“Because I’d like to see you. We could grab dinner.”

Olive smiles brightly. “That sounds fun. I’m sure Sage would love it if we went back to Cheese the Day.”

I let out a light chuckle.“WithoutSage. Let’s grab dinner without my daughter.”

She stares at me now in surprise. “J-just us? Like a… date?”

“Yes, Olive,” I smirk. “Exactly like a date. Because I’m asking you on a date.”

“You want to take me on a date?” she questions breathlessly.

“More than you know. So let me take you out Friday night. I’ll have someone watch Sage so you and I can enjoy some time together.”

“Yes,” Olive says in a rush before quickly regaining her composure. “Yes, I’d love that, Lane.”

“Perfect,” I grin widely. “It’s a date.”

twenty-three

Lane

“Wecomebearinggifts,”Cole says, gesturing to the trays of coffee he and Ari are carrying. Knox and Josh appear to be carrying bags of pastries from one of my favorite bakeries right near Knox’s place.

“Thanks,” I reply, taking a cup from the tray and removing the lid before taking a large gulp of the black coffee.

“I grabbed something for Sage, too,” Knox adds, grabbing the smallest cup from the tray. “Hot chocolate.”

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