Page 26

Falling for someone happens slowly—then all at once.

One second, you’re fighting it. Telling yourself it’s just fun, casual, no big deal.

Then suddenly, they’re the first thing you think about in the morning, the last thing you think about at night, and every single moment in between.

And that’s exactly what’s happened with Grant.

We’ve spent the last few weeks wrapped up in each other.

If we weren’t tangled in his sheets, we were stealing moments between his coaching schedule and my flights.

Late-night calls. Early-morning coffee runs.

It hasn’t been enough. It never feels like enough. But today? Today is different.

Because today he has Olivia.

I told myself I’d be fine. That I wouldn’t overthink it. That I’d use today to get stuff done, catch up on life, clear my head. I wasn’t expecting to see him. To see them.

I’m walking through the outdoor plaza, half-distracted, sipping my coffee, texting Allie back about brunch plans.

Then—I stop cold.

Across the parking lot, I see him.

Tall. Broad. Dark hair just starting to silver at the temples.

And he’s not alone.

I stare.

Because standing next to Grant, gripping his hand, looking up at him with big brown eyes that match his own—

Is his daughter.

She’s small, dark hair in pigtails, animated as she talks to him.

Grant kneels beside her, listening intently, smiling in a way that makes my breath catch.

Then he says something, ruffling her hair—

And she giggles. And just like that—I'm done for.

Because I’ve seen Grant dominate a locker room full of pro hockey players. I’ve seen him stare down grown men and send them running.

But the way he interacts with her?

This is different. This is soft. This is him being a dad.

And holy shit.

My heart pounds harder than the time I saw them together at the rink.

Because suddenly, I’m not just looking at Grant Maddox, the man who’s completely consumed me. I’m looking at a father. And I have no idea what that means for us.

I need to leave and give them their time alone together.

Now.

But my feet aren’t moving.

Because I’m still standing here, staring like a damn lunatic as Grant Maddox—gruff, dominant, grumpy as hell Grant Maddox—crouches down beside his daughter, talking to her in a way that makes my chest ache.

Like she’s the center of his universe. Like nothing else in the world matters more than what she’s saying. And maybe it’s the way his eyes soften when she laughs. Or maybe it’s the way he fixes the bow on one of her pigtails without her even noticing.

But I feel it.

That little click inside my chest.

The terrifying realization that I already love this man.

I suck in a breath, forcing myself to step back.

Because I am not ready for this.

Because this is a whole new level of serious, and I did not sign up for it.

Because Olivia isn’t just some abstract idea anymore—she’s real. She’s a tiny, adorable, giggling, ponytail-wearing reminder that Grant isn’t just a man I’m falling for. He’s a father. A father with an ex, custody battles, and a whole world I know nothing about.

And what if I screw this up?

What if I walk into his life and fuck everything up for him and Olivia?

What if I get attached?

Worse—what if she does?

I take another step back. But my body isn’t cooperating. Because I don’t want to leave. I want to stay. I want to walk up to them, to him. I want to see the way he looks at her up close.

I want to hear the way his voice changes when he talks to her. I want to know if she has his smile.

But I can’t do that. Because this moment isn’t mine to take.

Deep breath.

Turn around.

Leave.

It’s the only thing that makes sense.

So I do it.

I turn on my heel, forcing my legs to move, putting distance between me and the scene unfolding in front of me.

I make it five steps.

Six.

Seven.

And then—

"Kenzie?"

Shit.

I freeze.

Because shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

I was so close.

So close to making my escape.

So close to not dealing with these big, messy feelings in my heart today.

But now—there’s no running.

Because Grant sees me.

And so does his daughter.

I turn slowly, schooling my features into something neutral.

Not guilty. Not panicked.

Just… normal.

Like my heart isn’t hammering against my ribs.

Like I’m not about to break out into a full body sweat.

Like I haven’t just realized that I’m falling head over heels for a man who comes with more strings than I know how to hold.

Grant’s brows furrow slightly, like he’s surprised to see me. But not in a bad way. More like… intrigued.

Like I just showed up in his orbit without warning, and now he’s trying to figure out what it means.

His daughter tugs on his hand, whispering something.

And my stomach tightens. Because I shouldn’t be here. This is his time with her.

This isn’t a moment I’m supposed to intrude on. I should make an excuse, wave, walk away.

But then Grant tilts his head. Eyes dark. Curious. Like he’s reading me.

"Didn’t expect to see you here, Flight."

His voice is low, smooth. Like he’s not at all thrown by this. Like he’s completely fine with me standing here, caught in this dangerously intimate moment. And that throws me off even more.

"Yeah," I say, gripping my coffee cup like it might actually save me. "Just… running errands."

His lips twitch.

Not quite a smirk, but close enough to make my stomach dip.

"Uh-huh."

His daughter tugs on his arm again, more insistent this time.

And I watch—helplessly, hopelessly—as he leans down, listening intently as she whispers something in his ear.

Something that makes his eyebrows lift slightly. Something that makes him turn back to me with an amused glint in his eye.

"Kenzie, this is Olivia," he says smoothly, like it’s nothing.

Like this isn’t a massive, terrifying moment. Like he’s not just casually introducing me to his daughter. Like it’s normal.

Olivia tilts her head at me, assessing.

And I feel it—that little spark of panic. Because this wasn’t planned. Because I don’t know how to do this.

Because I don’t know what the hell I am to this man, and now I’m standing here, face to face with his six-year-old daughter.

And she’s watching me.

Like she’s trying to figure me out.

Like she’s trying to decide whether she likes me.

"Hi, Olivia," I say, my voice softer than I intended.

She blinks. Then she grins. And just like that—everything inside me melts. Olivia’s grin is pure mischief.

The kind that reminds me way too much of her father. And I’m not prepared for it. Because I was expecting shyness. Hesitation. Wariness.

What I wasn’t expecting?

Her grabbing my hand like we’re already best friends.

"Do you like ice cream?" she asks, tilting her head.

I blink.

"Uh… yeah. Of course."

Her grin widens.

"Good. Because Daddy promised me ice cream after this."

Daddy.

That word hits me in a way I wasn’t ready for.

Because hearing it? Hearing her call him that? It shifts something in my chest.

Something deep. Something terrifying. Something that makes me look at Grant—really look at him.

Grant’s eyes are on me. Watching. Waiting. Seeing if I’ll pull away. If I’ll run.

But I don’t.

Because I can’t.

Because Olivia is still holding my hand.

And I don’t want to let go.

"Can Kenzie come too?" Olivia asks, swinging our joined hands.

My stomach flips. Because holy shit.

I glance at Grant, heart pounding, because this?

This is not what I was expecting today.

And from the look in his eyes, he wasn’t either.

But then—

He smirks.

A small one. Soft. Amused. Something else.

Something that makes my breath catch.

"That’s up to Kenzie," he murmurs.

And suddenly, the choice is mine.

I should say no. I shouldn’t step into this moment. Because this isn’t just grabbing ice cream.

This is something else.

Something bigger. Something that feels like a line I can’t uncross.

And yet—

I don’t let go of Olivia’s hand. And I don’t say no.

"You know what?" I say, forcing my voice to stay casual, even though my chest is a mess of emotions. "I think ice cream sounds like a solid life choice."

Olivia beams.

And just like that, it’s decided.

Grant watches me.

Quiet. Steady.

And there’s something in his expression—something almost unreadable.

Like he’s seeing something in me he wasn’t expecting.

Like he’s processing this moment just as much as I am.

But he doesn’t stop it.

Doesn’t say a word.

Just tilts his head, that small smirk still playing at his lips.

"Then let’s go."

The little bell chimes as we step into the ice cream shop, and Olivia practically vibrates with excitement beside me.

Grant?

He’s calm. Steady. But his eyes? They’re locked on me. Watching. Taking in every second of this.

And I know exactly why. Because this isn’t just about ice cream.

This is about me being here.

With her.

"Kenzie, you have to pick first!" Olivia tugs my hand toward the counter like it’s a high-stakes decision.

I laugh, glancing at Grant, who just shakes his head, smirking.

"No pressure, huh?" I tease, looking down at Olivia.

"Nope," she says seriously. "It tells me everything I need to know about you."

Grant chuckles, rubbing his jaw. "She’s not kidding."

I press my lips together, trying not to smile.

Because I can feel it.

That warmth. That dangerous, terrifying warmth creeping into my chest.

I should not be falling for this little girl already.

And yet, here we are.

"Alright," I say, leaning down a little, like I’m about to share a secret. "I’m going with... cookies and cream."

Olivia’s eyes widen. She nods approvingly.

Grant makes a low, amused sound. "She approves. You live another day."

I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling. Can’t help it.

Because this? This is easy. This is nice. And that’s what makes it so damn scary.

Grant orders next, something classic and predictable—vanilla, with a little caramel drizzle.

Of course.

"That’s kind of boring, Coach," I murmur as we move down the counter.

"Boring?" He raises a brow, stepping just a little closer. "Or consistent?"

My stomach flips. Because his voice is low; like he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. And from the way he watches my reaction, I’m sure of it.

Olivia doesn’t notice. She’s too busy debating between three different flavors.

Grant leans in a fraction more, voice just for me now.

"You don’t seem like the kind of woman who likes predictable, Flight."

Oh, he’s playing dirty. I fight back a shiver.

"Maybe I don’t," I say, voice lighter than I feel. "But I think your ice cream choice just gave you away."

His lips curve.

"You think you’ve got me figured out, huh?"

I lift a playful shoulder. "I think I’m getting close."

And just like that, his entire expression changes.

The teasing flicker in his eyes fades—just a little.

Replaced with something warmer. Something heavier. Like I said something I wasn’t supposed to say. Like I hit too close to home.

"Kenzie!"

Olivia’s voice cuts through the moment, and I turn just in time for her to grab my hand again.

"I got birthday cake flavor! Wanna try?"

Crisis averted.

I exhale, laughing, grateful as hell for the distraction.

"Of course I do."

And just like that, I let the moment slip away.