Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
When we both laugh, Nora pauses, blinking like she’s not sure what’s funny and then giggles anyway. The sound of it fills the kitchen, wrapping around me and squeezing until I don’t know how I’ll ever go back to my life before this.
Before her.
Before them.
This right here feels like everything I’ve ever wanted.
And if this isn’t what family looks like, I’m not sure it exists.
All I know is I’ll do whatever it takes to keep it.
When the plates are empty and stacked in the sink, the warm hum of the morning gives way to the press of the day ahead. Callie glances at the clock and exhales. “I should head to the bakery. I’ve been MIA way too long.”
I nod, even though a part of me wants her to stay. “You go. I’ve got cleanup.”
She gives me a smile before scooping Nora into her arms with practiced ease and walking toward the hallway. Just before she disappears, I remember the gift I picked up at the mall.
“Wait,” I call out.
She pauses before turning, curiosity filling her eyes as she meets my gaze.
“I have something for you.”
Her brows arch in surprise. “For me?”
“And Nora.”
I reach under the counter for the plastic shopping bag. My palms are slick with nerves as uncertainty twists in my gut.
Callie shifts Nora to her hip, balancing her effortlessly as she crouches to set her down. With one hand steadying her daughter, she reaches for the bag, peeking inside like she’s not sure what she’s about to find before pulling out a tiny Railers jersey that’s Nora-sized, complete with my name stretched across the back in bold block letters.
She stills, fingertips brushing over the stitched fabric. Her eyes widen before she looks up to meet mine. “River…”
“There’s more.” My pulse hammers in my ears, knowing exactly what this means, what I’m saying without doing it out loud.
Carefully, as if it’s something fragile, she sets the little jersey aside. Her hand dips into the bag again and pulls out the second one in her size. Her movements falter, and it takes a moment before she lifts the fabric to her chest. When her gaze finds mine, the unspoken questions swimming in her eyes are impossible to miss.
“You got us matching jerseys? With your name and number?”
I shrug, feigning nonchalance. “I was hoping you’d wear them tonight at the game.”
The moment thrums with anticipation and a hint of anxiety.
This isn’t just about a jersey.
It’s about what it represents.
It’s about us.
About what we’re building, even if neither of us has dared to label it yet.
“I wasn’t planning on going tonight,” she admits quietly.
“It would really mean a lot to me to have you in the stands, supporting me. Both of you. I’m playing my brother-in-law, and Willow and the kids will be there rooting for Mav. I need my own cheering section.”
She steps in close and presses a kiss to my cheek. It’s quick, light, and gone before I’m able to react.
“Oh,” she says slowly, lips twitching like she’s fighting back a grin. “That’s right. You’re playing Maverick’s team tonight. Well, now you’ve given me something to think about.”
I’m sorry… what?
I arch a brow. “So let me get this straight. You weren’t sure about watching me, but the second Mav hits the ice, you’re suddenly clearing your schedule?”
She smirks. “What can I say? He’s nice to look at.”
I eat up the distance between us and brush my knuckles along her jaw. Only then do I tip her chin until our gazes lock. “Careful, Callie. You keep talking like that, and I’ll spend the whole damn night making sure you remember exactly who you belong to and whose name you’ll be screaming long after the game’s over.”
She wavers but doesn’t back away.
Not even a little.
And damn if that doesn’t make me want her even more.
My hand falls away as she picks up Nora and turns toward the hallway, as if the conversation has already been settled. As I watch her leave, every muscle winds tight and my pulse races.
That’s the moment I realize I’m already hers.
Body.
Heart.
Every damn piece of me.
I just hope when she’s ready, she’ll choose to be mine as well.
35
Callie
From the second I step into the bakery, I’m off-balance and out of sorts.
The bell over the door chimes the same way it always does, and the glass display case gleams without a smudge in sight. Behind the counter, Sloane is elbow-deep in a mixing bowl, folding chunks of chocolate into dough.
This place has always been my safe space.
A sanctuary.
And yet, today, nothing soothes my rough edges. It’s as if the comfort I’ve always known has slipped into something I don’t entirely recognize. It’s disconcerting that I’m unable to lose myself in the usual routine.
Maybe it’s because I woke up next to River, and before I could find my bearings, the man was making breakfast for me and Nora like he’s been doing it for years. He kissed my daughter’s cheek, slid a plate of French toast in front of her, and smiled like this was just a normal, everyday occurrence.