Page 114 of If You Love Me

She straightens. “What does that mean? You already lost him once?”

I exchange a glance with Roman.

“I met Lexi at a baseball game in New York. You were visiting your mom, and I decided to take a trip.”

Aurora looks between us, and her brow arches, then her eyes narrow. “How long ago was this?”

“Three and a half years,” I reply.

“In the summer between first and second year?” Understanding dawns. “You were so broody when I came back from my trip with mom. Wow. You’ve been holding a torch all this time.”

“Basically, yeah,” Roman and I say at the same time.

Aurora’s face softens, and she reaches across the table, taking my other hand. “I get it. He’s a great guy.”

“The best,” I agree.

“This still hurts,” she whispers.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper back.

She gives me a watery smile, then turns that brokenhearted expression on her dad. “I am so, so sorry for keeping you in the dark for as long as I did last season. I understand now in a way I couldn’t before.”

“Kiddo,” Roman says softly.

“You’re an amazing dad. I adore you. And this—” She motions between us. “—this is wonderful. I’ve been secretly shipping you for months.”

“Wait, what?” Roman looks confused.

“I’ve been shipping you too!” Callie adds.

Fee raises her hands. “Also, same.”

“Does this mean Hammer will be our sister, too?” Callie is practically out of her mind with excitement.

Aurora turns her bright, beautiful, and slightly wobbly smile on Callie. “That’s right. We’ll all be a family.”

“I can’t even process that.” I don’t just gain a husband, my sisters gain a father figure and a sister, and the entire, wonderful support system of love that comes with them. It’s more than I’ve ever dared to dream of.

“I love this team so much,” Dred says.

Aurora rolls her shoulders back and taps her lip. “So, just for the sake of clarity, how many years are there between you?”

“I’m twenty-nine and I turn thirty in the summer,” I say.

“And, Dad, how about you?” She props her hands on her chin and smiles angelically.

“I know where you’re going with this, Peggy.”

“Just humor me and answer the question Dado.”

Roman gives her a look. “I’m forty.”

“Oh dude, this is gold,” Dred chuckles.

“Huh.” Aurora bats her lashes. “So you’re adecadeolder than Lexi. Interesting.”

“Why is that interesting?” Callie asks, so sweetly unaware.

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