Page 114 of A Game Plan for Love

“Hi, Deon,” Nora says, zeroing in on the quiet quarterback. His eyes widen as she reaches out with sticky chocolate covered hands, and I have to fight a laugh.

He’s going to have to get used to the mess if they ever decide to have children, or hire a very good cleaner.

“Hi, Nora,” he says, allowing her to take his hand.

“I’m a princess,” she says, pulling out her skirt with her free hand. “See?”

“And you lookbeautiful.”

Sawyer steps up to Declan, and they share a look of understanding. She looks at Nora and me, then to Declan, and he nods. Only once, but the action means something to her because she draws him into a tight hug and when she releases him, places a palm on his cheek.

“You are worthy of this.” He nods once more and she pats his cheek. “Never forget that.”

“Daddy, look! It’s a princess!”

Declan spins around to follow where Nora is pointing, but the rest of the group falls quiet, six sets of eyes watching Declan and Nora interact.

“Did she just…” Henry trails off, eyes wide as he looks at Jack for confirmation.

“Yeah, I think she did,” Jack says, stunned as he stares at me.

Oh.I figured he would have told them that already.

“Oh my god. Someone take a photo!” Nathalie screams, scrambling around her massive purse. Deon hands her his phone. “Thanks!”

She takes photos left and right of them, and I bite back a laugh at Sawyer’s wide, disbelieving eyes.

The reactions are comical—that is, until Maren breaks down in tears. It’s not a pretty sight as she begins to sob, and fat tears stream down her cheeks.

Declan turns at the sound of her choked sobs, and he freezes. “Is she crying?”

Maren barrels toward him, wraps her arms tightly around him and cries into his shoulder. Declan stands as still as a statue, arms limp at his sides and Nora clutching his hand. Concerned blue eyes meet mine, and I shrug.

I havenoidea.

He spins to find Jack, but he’s a massive blur, sprinting down the street.

“We were prepared for this,” Nathalie says. “She’s been a bit emotional lately.”

“I havenot.”Maren whirls.

“You are crying in the middle of an amusement park,” I say.

“I’m crying because Nora just called him ‘Daddy’ and no one is more deserving of the title than Declan, and it’s about god-damn time he finds people who love him as much as we do!” Her voice rises with every word, and her eyes widen and shoulders slump. “Okay, yeah, maybe I’m just atiny bitemotional.”

“A tiny bit, yes,” Sawyer says sarcastically.

Deon coughs to hide his laughter, and Maren glares at him, but Declan hugs her again. “Thank you, Maren. For everything.”

Maren nods, cheeks flushing, and she wipes away tears. Jack returns, panting, holding a massive turkey leg in one hand and a Diet Coke in the other.

“Here, Maren baby.” He hands her the food and she beams, pressing onto her toes to place a kiss to his cheek.

“Love you more than Deon loves his label maker.” She aims a smug smile in Deon’s direction. He clicks his tongue, but Nathalie cackles.

Jack chuckles and pulls her to his side.

Nathalie slips her hands over my shoulders and pulls me into a side hug as Declan explains the route he and Nora planned with the group. His smile is large and happiness radiates off him.

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