Page 83 of Ice Daddy
Mr. Tremblay mussed Lance's champagne-and-sweat hair. “Enjoy yourself tonight, alright?”
“Yes, sir.”
***
Paige held her ring up to the window of the Range Rover, studying how her diamond caught the light of Boston at night. She couldn't stop staring at it.
“It'ssopretty. Andsohuge.”
“Glad you like it.”
“Love it,” she corrected him. “Lance, I keepthinking about that moment. I can't believe youdidthat!I just can't stop smiling. You're amazing. Really.”
“Babe,youare.” He put his hand on her thigh and squeezed. “That's why I want to call you my wife.”
“Were you worried I'd say no?”
“Kinda, yeah,” he admitted with a croak.
“But why?”
“Because earlier today you were talking about taking things slow. And popping the question is pretty much the exact opposite of taking things slow, isn't it?”
“Well, technically, I suppose so.” Paige stifled a laugh. “But really—that wasperfect, Lance. Everything about today was. From the work you did on Irie's room, to getting to know your sister, to seeing you play in your game, and the proposal in front of that crowd …”
“So you and Ella had a good time together?”
“Mm-hm,” she said, nodding emphatically. “And I heard some stories about you.”
Lance tugged at his collar. “Uh-oh.”
“Yeah. Uh-oh is right. Ella's great! Why were you so mean to her growing up?”
“That's what older brothers are for! Besides, she turned out alright, didn't she?”
***
Lance parked the Range Rover in the front of his building. A valet rushed out to greet them, and Lance introduced him to “myfiancée, Paige.” He was pleased at how veryrightthose words felt when he spoke them.
Gently, Lance unbuckled Irie from her baby-seat, scooped her up without waking her, and carried her into the building. She didn't wake. They took the elevator to the top floor, and once inside, Lance laid Irie down in her crib. He and Paige held hands and watched over their sleeping daughter.
“She looks so peaceful,” Lance whispered.
“Yeah,” Paige agreed. “She won't be so peaceful when she wakes, though.”
They both quietly chuckled.
Paige looked up at him, a worried look on her face.
“What's the matter?” he asked.
“Are you sure you're ready for this? It's a lot of work.”
“I know it's a lot of work. And that's why I want to help, Paige. We'll do it together.”
Paige nodded. “Thank you.”
“But now that's she's asleep”—Lance threw Paige over his shoulder—“you're coming with me!”
