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forty-eight

Lane

Olive

Sage has been jumping around for the past hour

It’s adorable how excited she is for you to come home

Lane

That’s because I have the world’s cutest daughter

Olive

You do

I’m excited for you to come home, too

Lane

I also have the world’s cutest girlfriend

Olive

When do you land?

Lane

We just boarded, so we’ll be back in NYC in a few hours

I can’t wait to be home

Olive

We’ll be here waiting for you, Hotshot

Lane

Give my Lovebug a hug from me

I’ll see you soon, Ballerina

I smile down at my phone before powering it off as we prepare for takeoff.

The season is going to be long, but at least I won’t have to be away from my girls for a month and a half straight again.

I slip my phone into the pocket of my joggers as Ari slides into the seat next to me. “I’m so ready to be out of Florida,” he groans.

“Not enough women down here?” I tease. Ari shared a room with Josh during Spring Training, and according to Josh, Ari spent at least half of his nights in someone else’s bed.

“Just miss the city,” he sighs. “A hell of a lot more to do back in New York.”

“And plenty more women for you to fuck,” I laugh, resting my hands on the back of my head and leaning back in my seat.

“I like sex. Sue me.”

“I really don’t miss those days,” I shake my head.

“You don’t?” Ari looks at me in surprise.

“Not at all. I thought I would eventually, but I hate the idea of sleeping around anymore. Gave it up when Alicia told me she was pregnant and haven’t wanted to since.”

“And now you have Liv,” he says. “And you’re head over fucking heels for her.”

I shrug. “Why wouldn’t I be? She’s fucking incredible.”

“She’s always seemed nice to me. She’s cute, too.”

I level him with a look. “My girlfriend is cute?”

Ari laughs heartily. “Relax, man. She’s not my type.”

“I thought your type was just female,” I chuckle.

He rolls his eyes at me. “Fuck off. I like someone open about what they want that doesn’t really hold back.”

“So,” I raise my eyebrow, “someone like Lucia?”

“Fucking Christ,” he chides, throwing his head back. “I’m not interested in Lucia. And she has a boyfriend.”

“She has a Matt,” I state emphatically.

“And Matt is her boyfriend. Doesn’t matter if we don’t like him; she does.”

“You know, you two seem to argue more often when Matt is around.”

“Because Matt is a prick, and she knows I think he’s a prick. But goddamn. I know I don’t like her, but I would love for her to not get on my shit every fucking time she sees me.”

“In her defense, you piss her off right back.” I turn in my seat to face him. “I know by now neither of you are going to tell us what happened, but Lucia is a good person. I hope she’ll show you that side one day.”

“That would be great,” Ari sighs. “It’s not like I enjoy arguing with her. I’m open to being amicable if she can stop coming at me.”

Ari fixes the rimmed glasses perched on his nose and reaches into his bag, coming back out with his Kindle.

“Romance novel?” I raise my eyebrow.

“Hockey romance. Figured I could learn about the sport.”

“You learn more by watching hockey, Ari,” I laugh.

“Or I can learn some here and read about the first female NHL player who definitely won’t be falling for her teammate and captain,” he chuckles.

“You do you, man,” I lean back and pull my hood over my eyes. “I’m just gonna sleep until we land.”

I practically sprint through my building’s lobby as I head to my private elevator, and I can hardly stay still the entire ascent to my penthouse.

I haven’t seen my girls since the middle of last month, and I miss them both like fucking crazy. Olive picked Sage up from Rory’s this afternoon, and they’re both waiting for me inside.

The elevator dings, and as soon as the doors open, I run off, dropping my bags on the floor.

“Daddy!” I hear my daughter squeal and then the pitter-patter of her little feet before she jumps into my arms.

“Lovebug!” I say, pulling Sage into my chest and planting kisses on the top of her head. “I missed you so much, Sagie. Did you have fun with Aunt Rory?”

“And Owive!” she exclaims.

As if on cue, Olive appears, wearing a pair of tight jeans and a Stars shirt she must have stolen from my closet.

“Hey, Lane,” she says softly, tucking her hands into the back pockets of her jeans.

“Olive…”

I set my daughter down on her feet, and in two strides, I close the distance between Olive and me, immediately sealing my lips over hers.

Fuck not telling Sage about us. I’m in love with this woman, and I’m done hiding that from my daughter.

Olive melts into me, draping her arms around my neck and sighing against my mouth.

I hear Sage gasp. “Daddy kissing Mommy!”

I feel my heart thumping in my chest as I abruptly break our kiss and look down at my daughter. “Sage,” I say gently, voice breathy. “What did you just call Olive?”

“Mommy,” she replies as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.

I turn to Olive now, and I see a smile tugging at the corner of her lips as she bites her thumb. “Liv…”

“I didn’t tell her to say that, I swear,” she laughs uneasily. “She kind of told the girls that I’m her mom a few weeks ago. It was completely unprompted, and we tried to correct her, but she was steadfast. I just… wasn’t sure what you’d think about it.”

“You weren’t sure what I’d think?” I breathe out a soft laugh with a bright smile on my face. “You wanna know what I think then?”

“Yes,” she replies nervously.

I kiss her again, tenderly and passionately. I try to let my lips speak for me, but I know Olive, and I know she needs confirmation of how I’m feeling.

“Liv,” I grin. “My daughter has never had a mother. But you…“ My words start coming out choked as my emotions overwhelm me. “You came in and became her mother. You were worried what I’d think, but this is the best thing, baby. You are what we’ve been waiting for.”

“This isn’t moving too fast for you?” I can hear the worry in her voice, and I kiss it away with a soft peck on her lips.

“How can it be too fast when we’ve been waiting for you for years?”

“Lane…”

“Olive,” I smile against her lips. “Nothing is too fast when I’ve been falling in love with you since I met you.”

Her eyes snap to mine, looking for dishonesty that she doesn’t find. “What?”

“You heard me. I wouldn’t be doing this right now, letting Sage see if I wasn’t absolutely certain about you.

And I’m certain because I’m in love with you.

God, I didn’t plan on telling you yet, but Sage called you Mom, and that’s it for me.

You’re it for me. I love you. I don’t expect you to say it back yet, but I want you to know exactly how I feel about you. ”

Olive leans up and kisses me softly. “You’re so incredible, Lane.”

I smile and just enjoy the moment.

She’s not ready to say it back, and that’s okay. She’s been through so much, and she can take all the time she needs to realize she loves me, too.

I bend down and pick up my—our?—daughter, holding her at my side. “Sagie, I’ve got to tell you something. Daddy and Olive are together.”

“Together?”

“Yes, Lovebug,” I grin. “I know how much you love her, and I love her, too. I think we should keep her around.”

“Yes!” she shouts, and Olive laughs.

“I’m not going anywhere, sweet girl.” She leans over and kisses Sage’s cheek. “You both mean too much to me.”

Sage leaps out of my arms now and into Olive’s, squeezing her tightly with the brightest smile.

I love Olive.

Sage loves Olive.

Olive loves Sage.

Olive might love me.

I’ve barely been back in NYC for an hour, and already so much has happened.

But as I watch Olive and Sage together, I’m just so fucking glad to be home.