Page 77 of Need You To Choose Me

Some of that tension seeps out of her. “Is he?”

“I think so, yes. He’s made friends, and other kids are excited to make him feel included by learning some of the sign language. I’m not nearly as good as you are, though, but I figured even a little bit will help all of us, although Kyle is very good at reading lips, and I’ve even heard him speak on a few occasions.”

“I really appreciate you doing that, and I know he does as well. I’ve been really worried when they told me they won’t be able to provide him with a one-on-one teacher’s aide, but you put in so much effort in helping him…” She shakes her head. “It means the world, really.”

I place my palm on hers, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “Of course. If I notice something that might concern me, I’ll bring it up, but so far, he’s been adapting extremely well.”

“Thank you.” Rose nods, her gaze falls to my stomach, something that looks a lot like longing appearing on her face. “How far along are you?”

“Twenty-three weeks, so more than halfway there.”

It still felt surreal. The time was flying fast, and there was still so much to do. So much to figure out.

My gaze goes to the man on the field, the one who changed my life, not once, but twice now.

Blake was crouching down and explaining something to one of the kids. He looked all serious and focused and seeing him like this did something to me.

He was good with the kids.

A good dad.

The thought fills my chest with warmth, and something inside me eases a bit. It didn’t matter what happened between us; Blake would be a good dad to my baby, and that’s the only thing that mattered.

“Ugh, how can one man be so gorgeous?” The groan coming from one of the moms sitting in front of us breaks me out of my thoughts. “It shouldn’t be allowed.”

There is a chorus of agreements coming from the women sitting around her.

“What do you think the chances are he’ll take off his shirt?”

I didn’t need to look to know who said that. Lucy Donovan had no filter, but she clearly had a thing for Blake.

“I’d pay some serious money to see all that glorious skin and abs on display.”

Rose rolls her eyes and leans in, her voice dropping so only I can hear it. “Some things around here never change.”

I swallow back my snort. No, it didn’t seem like they did.

“What do you think? Does he have a six-pack or an eight-pack?” Lucy continues, her tongue darting over her lower lip as she blatantly stares at Blake.

I grind my teeth, feeling a pang of irritation at her ogling.

Is she for real?

We’re at a peewee practice, for God’s sake! Their children were right there, and they were objectifying their coach so openly?

“Lucy!” somebody chastises playfully before they all burst into giggles.

“What? It’s a legit question. It’s a hot day, after all. You can’t tell me you haven’t imagined Blake Walker without a shirt on.”

Her statement is accompanied by more giggling.

“Are we five?” I mutter to myself, but apparently not quietly enough because Rose chuckles.

“Sometimes it seems like it.”

Lucy fans herself. “That man is a piece of art, and I could lick every delicious inch of him.”

Just then, Blake blows the whistle. “Practice is over, guys.”

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