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“She’s very independent.” Miss G chuckles. “I love having a little namesake running around doing all the things I would do.”

“You do a lot,” Rachel quips.

Stopping at my little girl, I tap her shoulder. “Bedtime.”

“Daddy,” she whines, her little shoulders dropping. “The party’s still going!”

“Not for long, and you have school tomorrow. Then we have the fair tomorrow night.”

A frown twists her little features as she thinks. Then she immediately nods and takes my hand. “I can’t wait for the fair! I’m going to do the maze and the pumpkin patch and dress up and eat candy…”

Her hand is in mine as she continues listing, and I glance back at Allie dancing with Raven now. Her costume is hot, and I have an idea for how I might match it. It’s going to be a night to remember.

Our homecoming game is a shut-out.

Austin came out strong, throwing three back-to-back touchdown passes. It was hard to take him out, but I promised to let Levi share the spotlight.

I don’t usually pay much attention to the Homecoming court, but when Austin was announced as king during halftime, we all stepped out to cheer for him.

Allie was crying, and if things were different, I’d go to her and pull her into my arms. Instead, Dylan and Liv crowded around her, hugging and clapping.

Sadie was named homecoming queen, and when she kissed Austin’s cheek, he looked down at the ground as if he were embarrassed. I looked over to see Allie’s eyes on me from the clutch of my sisters.

I gave her a little smile, and she pressed her fingers to her lips, blowing me a kiss. I looked down, rubbing my cheek as if I felt it, and when I cut my eyes up at her, her nose wrinkled with her laugh.

For the second half of the game, Levi didn’t disappoint. He didn’t complete any touchdown passes, but he ran thirty-five yards for a thrilling first-down.

Another near-sack resulted in a toss that Tyreek ran in for the score. We even let Edward kick the extra point, making the final score 29-0.

After shaking hands with the other coach, and giving a short congratulatory speech to the boys, I cut out to make my Halloween costume contact.

I lucked out with a friend who does community theater in Mobile, and he was able to hook me up with a long velvet jacket, tan breeches, and tall leather boots.

The boots are a little too big, but I can make them work as I pull into the parking lot at Cooters & Shooters. The lights are all on, and Kimmie is already here with Dylan.

She danced her little heart out on the sidelines with the drill team, and when Austin was announced homecoming king, she screamed so loud, I could hear her from the door of the locker room.

It’s silly, but my stomach tightens when I stop outside the door of the restaurant. Looking down at my outfit, there’s no going back from what it says. Especially when I pair it with what Allie’s wearing.

“Are you coming in or not?” The door flies open, and Zane stands inside dressed in full cowboy gear .

“Well, don’t you look fancy!” Rachel is beside him in a red gingham dress that pushes up her chest. Her hair is in two ponytails, and she looks like something off that old country music show Hee-Haw .

“Daddy, you look like Prince Phillip!” Kimmie runs to me.

“Is that the one who was married to Queen Elizabeth?” I bend down to pick up my little jumping bean.

Liv helped her dress up as a member of the drill team, so she’s in a glittery bodysuit with thick tights and tap shoes. Her hair is slicked back in a bun with sparkles all over it, and her lips are red.

“No, Daddy!” She rolls her brown eyes. “He goes with Princess Aurora!”

Allie sees me from across the room, and her eyes widen. I have to clear my throat, because she’s stunning.

Her dress is relatively simple, long and straight with a light gray top layer almost like a coat. A wide pink ribbon is wrapped like a belt just under her breasts, giving them a mouthwatering boost, and her hair is gathered to the side so that it falls in a way that draws my eyes downward to them.

“Have I got the hottest big brother or what?” Dylan walks over in her long red pepper getup and tugs on the lapels of my light-blue velvet coat.

“You almost look like you belong with someone. I wonder who it could be?” Her amber eyes roll around like she’s thinking, and I huff a laugh.

“Oh, I know! It’s our very own Jane Austen-Allie! ”

“Bruh, that’s one fancy getup.” Logan walks up in a round, green costume I can only assume is supposed to be a bell pepper. “Where’s your horse?”

“Left it down at Gloria’s,” I quip, holding back a laugh. “Where’s your…”

“Don’t say it.” Logan holds up a hand. “Your sister is having a hard time these days with all the… tasting.”

“You’re a good man.” I pat his arm, turning to look for my partner .

“Looking for someone?” Garrett’s jersey stretches across his stomach. “It’s about time you got on the bandwagon.”

I arch an eyebrow. “It’s about time you got on the treadmill.”

He slaps his stomach. “I’m loving life.”

“When did you ever stop?”

“I had a few years.”

“Looking mighty elegant, Coach.” Hendrix walks over with Haddy on his arm.

She’s in a pink jumpsuit with little wings all around her face. “What’s this?”

“Axolotl costume. Raven’s sister made it. We’re doing this whole ocean thing.” He’s dressed as a pirate, and Raven’s in a mermaid costume. “Glad you’re making it official with Allie. We’ve been wanting this for a long time, in case you didn’t know.”

Glancing down, I lean a little closer. “I wouldn’t call it official just yet.”

Hendrix cuts his eyes. “If you’re worried she might not be into you, I’m pretty sure she is. Even if you’re as slow as molasses in January.”

“Stop hassling him! Jack, you two look amazing.” Raven has Allie by the hand, dragging her across the room to where I’m standing. “You’re like something out of a romance novel.”

“Oh, I get it now!” Dylan cries. “It’s because Allie’s a librarian. Wow, that took longer than it should have.”

My sister’s brow falls, and Liv puts a hand on her shoulder. “It’s called pregnancy brain for a reason.”

“Not that again.” Dylan sighs, shaking her head and walking back to where Logan is waiting for her.

“Try to have a sense of humor about it.” Rachel pats her arm affectionately. “It’ll all be a funny memory in just a few more months.”

“Are you saying she doesn’t have a sense of humor?” Hendrix’s voice goes loud. “She’s got Logan dressed up like a Fruit of the Loom character. ”

Garrett has his phone out, snapping photos. “This will definitely be a funny memory for years.”

“Laugh all you want. I’m doing it for my lady.” Logan leans down to kiss Dylan’s red-painted cheek.

Zane adjusts his cowboy hat. “Are we ready, partners?”

The group moves in the direction of the doors, and Garrett scoops Gigi off her feet. She’s dressed as a football, and as soon as he lifts her into his arms, she begins to fuss and struggle.

He only laughs, tossing her into the air and catching her, which turns her fussing into squeals of laughter. “Let’s get out of here.”

I turn to Allie, who’s standing beside me, and when I smile, her cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink.

“You look really good.” Her voice is quiet.

“So do you.” My voice is equally low, and I’d love to pull her into my arms and kiss her. Instead, I lift an elbow. “May I escort you to the fair?”

Lifting her chin she smiles, putting a white-gloved hand on my arm. “Yes, please, kind sir.”

“Sir…” I nod. “I like that.”

“Me, too,” she whispers.