Page 68 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie

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I blink at him. "What?"

His gaze holds mine. "Whatever it is you want to ask, Whitney."

I frown. "How…"

"Have you forgotten I know you? You do that thing," he says, gesturing toward my hand. "You start tapping your index finger against your thumb when you’re hesitating to ask something. So, what is it?"

I glance down at my hand, realizing he’s right.

“What is it?"

I hesitate for another second before finally asking, softly - "What about her?"

His expression doesn’t change. "Huh?"

I exhale, my voice quieter now. "Olivia."

A beat of silence.

His jaw tightens. His gaze flickers to the fire.

Then another beat of silence.

Just when I think he won’t answer - just when I’m about to tell him to forget I asked - he finally speaks.

"She left when the kids were just one."

That’s it. No explanation. No anger. Just a quiet, matter-of-fact statement.

I wait, hoping he’ll say more.

He doesn’t.

A lump forms in my throat, but I swallow it down.

A moment later, his voice is quieter, almost raw.

"Thank you," he says. "I know I have said this before or countless times, and I know what your answer is gonna be, but still, thank you for agreeing to be with the kids. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

Something in his tone makes my chest ache.

I don’t respond right away. Instead, I watch him, the flickering firelight casting shadows across his face.

Suddenly, I get a light bulb moment…

Ohhh… do I ask him or not?

Here, we go.

“Well, Blake,” I shift slightly, tucking my legs under me, a grin on my face. "If you're so thankful, you’re gonna have to do something for me."

His brow arches, suspicion flashing across his features. "Should I be worried? Your smile seems suspicious."

I smirk. “Are you refusing?”

“I don’t even know what ‘the thing’ I have to do for you is.”

I wave a hand. "Minor detail. It’s nothing illegal. Or dangerous. Probably."

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