Page 210 of The Coach

Ivy’s breath catches.

Because this view? It’s unreal.

The entire city stretches out below us, lights glittering along the coastline. The ocean, dark and endless, fades into the horizon.

A single table is set near the edge, candles flickering in the warm Miami breeze.

She turns to me, eyes wide. “Did you rent out the rooftop of this hotel?”

I shrug. “I know a guy.”

She just stares at me. “Youknow a guy?”

I smirk. “Coach perks, baby.”

Ivy shakes her head, but she’s smiling. That soft, small smile I’d do anything to keep on her face.

I pull her chair out, guiding her down, then take my own seat across from her.

The waiter brings over two glasses of sparkling water, nodding before disappearing into the shadows.

For a second, neither of us speak.

We just soak it in. The view. The moment. The fact that, for the first time in weeks, we actually havetimeto talk.

Then?

I exhale. “Alright. Let’s get into it.”

Ivy blinks. “Into what?”

I lace my fingers together, resting my elbows on the table. “This. Us. What happens next.”

Her throat bobs as she swallows. “That’s a big conversation.”

I nod. “Yeah. But I don’t want to wait. You know how I feel about you. I want to be there for you. I want to be with you. I want to be a dad to this baby. And I know we still have a few things to figure out.”

I reach across the table, taking her hand.

“But I need you to know—I’m all in. No hesitation. No doubt.”

Her fingers tighten around mine.

Her eyes glisten in the candlelight.

She opens her mouth. Closes it. Then tries again.

“What if I don’t know what I want?” she whispers.

I squeeze her hand. “Then we take it one step at a time.”

Her lips part, like she’s about to say something else?—

But before she can?

A voice interrupts.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Coach Knox and his mystery woman.”

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