Page 108 of If You Love Me

Donnie thumbs over his shoulder. “We need to head in.”

“Good luck on the ice today,” I say.

“Yeah, thanks. See you tomorrow. Happy birthday to your sister,” Donnie says.

“Thanks,” Lexi replies.

Donnie corrals his boys and heads for entrance.

She tosses a worried glance over her shoulder. “I don’t love that he’s seen us together outside of the arena.”

“All the guys are still in there, and he’s about to run into them, too,” I remind her.

“Right. Yeah. I’m being paranoid.”

“Don’t forget that Donnie and Arnold are friends outside of work.” I don’t say anything about having run into Donnie here before, though, because I don’t want to cause her unnecessary stress. “Come on, let’s get these presents in your car.”

She pops the trunk, and we pile gifts inside.

“I don’t think all of it will fit,” she notes.

We haven’t even loaded half of them and her trunk is almost full.

“I can take the rest and follow you,” I offer.

Lexi scans the parking lot, like she’s nervous we’ll run into someone else we know. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“It’s not a problem. My SUV has loads of space.”

“Okay. Great. Thank you.” We load both vehicles, and there’s another round of hugs and happy birthdays for Callie. She comes to me last, and I crouch so I’m at eye level for a hug.

“I have a question,” she whispers when her arms are wrapped around my neck.

“Okay.” I pat her back.

She backs up and looks over her shoulder, maybe making sure we have a little privacy. “We’re going to watch a movie when we get home. Will you stay and watch it with us?”

“Sure. I’d love to. Is that your question?”

She shakes her head and twists her fingers. “I made a wish today when I blew out my candles, and I know I’m not supposed to tell anyone, but I told Fifi, and now I’m worried it won’t come true.”

“It can still come true,” I assure her.

“Really?” Relief crosses her face.

“Most of the time, yeah.” Unless she’s wishing for her parents to come back. That’s not possible, and I don’t want to give her false hope.

“Okay, good. I’ll see you back at the house for the movie.”

“You don’t want to tell me what the wish was?”

“Not yet.” She kisses me on the cheek and skips back to the car.

Lexi and I exchange a smile.

I’m in so deep with these girls.

I can see the future unfolding, and the more the vision forms, the harder it is to hold back. But we’re almost there. I just have to remind myself of that.

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