Page 76 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie
"I’m not looking at you like anything."
"Keep lying to yourself, sweetheart."
Whitney rolls her eyes but lets her head rest against my chest for a beat. My heart? Stupidly betraying me. Thumping loud enough she has to hear it. Being this close again - it’s nostalgia wrapped in temptation, and I can’t decide if I want to pull back or pull her in closer.
She pulls back just enough to look at me and my gaze drops to her lips, and it’s a mistake - because I want…
"You keep looking at me like that," I say slowly, "and I’m not gonna be able to keep up this act."
Her eyes flick to mine, something flickering there - heat, hesitation, something else neither of us wants to name.
But before I can say or do something reckless, the song ends and I lead her off the dance floor. At that exact moment, my phone rang.
“I need to take this.”
Whitney steps away, smoothing a hand down her dress like she’s shaking off the moment. “Don’t get lost.”
I chuckle under my breath as I head outside.
“Daddy!”
A slow, easy smile tugs at my lips. “Hey, kiddo.”
“Hi, Daddy!” Mia chimes in, her voice sleepy but excited.
“Are you both being good?”
“Uh-huh. Uncle Keith let us stay up late,” Mia whispers conspiratorially.
I shake my head. “Did he now?”
“Are you coming home soon?” Nico asks.
“Tomorrow,” I say. “With Whitney.”
They both cheer.
After a few more goodnight echoes, I hang up, still smiling.
Then I walk back inside - just in time to see Nathan standing way too close to Whitney.
My mood shifts instantly.
I cross the room in a few strides, sliding a hand to the small of her back as I step in beside her.
Nathan’s gaze flicks to mine.
I smile - sharp, pointed. “Everything okay here?”
Whitney turns smoothly. “Blake.”
Nathan watches the way my hand rests on her waist, his lips pressing into a thin line. “We were just catching up.”
I nod, slowly. “Right. See, the thing is, Whitney doesn’t entertain old news. Besides, you’re engaged already. You don’t want to start a rumor about you talking alone with your ex, right?”
Whitney’s eyes flick to me, amusement flashing in them.
Nathan, though, clenches his jaw. I see the muscle twitch as he mutters something under his breath and walks away.
