Page 71 of Accidentally Sliding Into A Second Chance

There’s a heavy pounding on the door, startling both of us. “Room Service.” A man calls, his voice echoing through the room.

David’s quizzical expression pulls a laugh from me. “I knew we had an early start, and even though I deprived you of sleep, I didn’t want to deprive you of food too.”

He doesn’t say anything, but the soft expression as he gazes down at me and how he frames my face with both hands makes my stomach flip.

“Thank you.” He presses his lips softly against mine before bounding off the bed to the door. His smile is so wide and excited, I can’t stifle the laugh that bubbles up. “I’m starving.”

Disappointed at the timing of room service, I promise myself that I will ask about Fiona. When the time is right.

And maybe not right before a game.

David’sphoneringsjustas we sit in our seats on the Smokies chartered flight home. My finger traces the raised stitching of the number on David’s jersey. “Hey, peanut. We’re just getting on the plane now.”

He turns the phone to me so I can see Duncan’s name lighting up the screen. It’s Scarlett using Duncan’s phone. I nod, my cheeks pulling up, and his brow raises quizzically.

“Like you call anyone else peanut,” I mouth. He rolls his eyes, and my smile widens.

He keeps his eyes locked on mine while he answers his daughter’s questions. “Probably won’t make it home till after your bedtime…Uh-huh…Yes… Aunt Ava or Uncle Duncan will stay with you until we get home…We’ll talk about that tomorrow.”

“Scarlett is my favorite,” Logan chuckles behind us. David looks through the seat, scowling.

I cover my mouth, stifling a laugh. He turns his scowl on me, but his hazel eyes dance with humor.

Scarlett’s voice carries through the phone, and I chuckle at David’s sterner tone.

“I said we’ll talk about it tomorrow…after school.” I hear a huff from the other end before David says, “Sure.”

Relief floods his eyes as he passes me the phone. “She’d like to talk to you.”

“Hey, Scarlett. Did you and Emmy have fun at Aunt Ava’s and Uncle Duncan’s?”

“Daddy won’t tell me, so I’m asking you.” She immediately jumps in, my brows shooting up. David chuckles, knowing exactly what he sent my way, and I glower.

“What did you get me into?” I mouth, and he shrugs. His expression is pure innocence.

“That kid,” Logan teases, and huffs out a laugh.

“Ask away,” I respond, trying to sound confident. But if I’m honest, my stomach is churning, and I wipe sweaty hands down my jeans.

“When can I call you Mom?”

My mouth falls to the floor, and I turn back to David. “See!” He mouths, eyes wide. I shake my head, squeezing the bridge of my nose.

“I’m sorry, honey, but your dad’s right.” Scarlett grumbles, and I close my eyes, blowing out a slow breath.

“I don’t—”

“Scarrrlett.” A mom tone slips out, David’s surprised expression mirroring my own. “We’ll talk more tomorrow, okay?”

“Caaat,” she whines, the dramatics dripping. I can imagine her rolling her eyes, and it’s difficult to keep a smile from tugging at my lips.

What is a teenage Scarlett going to be like? Will I get to see a teenage Scarlett? A heaviness presses against my sternum. My palm lifts to rub out the tightness.

From the corner of my eye, I see David beaming at me with two thumbs up, and I manage a weak smile.

“Fine,” she mumbles. “Can you put Daddy back on?”

“Of course,” I start to hand David his phone when Scarlett yells my name. “Yes?”

---