Page 29 of A Game Plan for Love

“Why are you apologizing?” I unbutton my jacket and lay it over the back of a chair.

“I—Well…” she flounders, surprised by the question. “I can’t…”

I settle into the couch, knees falling open as Addie stares at me, gasping like a fish.

“Makes sense why you carry baby wipes in your purse,” I continue. To say Addie’s eyes bulge from her skull would be an understatement. “And the stickers all over you at work.”

“Y-You’re not…”

“Scared off? Upset? Anti-child?” I offer, and my stomach churns when Addie nods. I swiftly rise and stop an inch from her, tipping her chin up with my thumb. “First, any man who runs when he learns you have a child is not a real man. She is a part of you. Second, I think your daughter might be cooler than you. Third, I don’t run, Adeline. Never been my style.”

She gulps. “You’re a tight end.”

“Maren calls that frolicking,” I reply, which receives a radiant smile that spears my solar plexus. I lean down so our lips are only millimeters apart. “Go get your princess dress on. I want a fashion show.”

Addie’s eyes peer up beneath her lashes, a fight brewing in them at the command, but I spin her around and push her in the direction Nora ran.

“I’ll be waiting.”

She disappears, and while she’s gone, I survey the space.

It’s crowded with oversized, mismatched furniture and dozens of toys. A table sits in the corner of the living room, covered in arts and craft supplies. The kitchen is full of appliances, and the sink is full of dirty dishes. While they get dressed, I quickly wash the plates and stack them in the dishwasher. Might as well make myself useful.

I’m placing the cups from back to front when grief creeps up my throat, threatening to suffocate me. Alan taught me to load the dishwasher this way, and the memory settles heavily on my chest.

The last cup is placed when I hear Addie call out. “We’re ready.”

Nora appears first from the hallway in a poofy pink dress. The top is all sequins and leads into a large tulle skirt. Her steps clack loudly from the small plastic high heels. As she moves closer, the bright blush and blue eyeshadow become clear, and her lips are covered in pink lip gloss.

She’s glowing as she struts down the hallway like it’s a runway, curls bouncing.

I cheer, and Nora blushes before she stops in front of me.

“Can you spin?” Nora does a twirl, giggling as she spins, and I catch her when she stumbles in her fake heels. “You’re beautiful, Nora.”

She smiles bashfully, eyes darting down before she waves at Addie.

“Your turn, Mommy.”

Addie steps out into the hallway, and my throat dries.

Holy fuck.

She looks insane. Hot as fuck, butcrazy.

The bright blue dress, covered in colorful sequins and sparkly tulle, is two sizes too small, stopping at her shin. It’s paired with sparkly heels, and as she walks down the hallway, I’m breathless. Her auburn hair falls in soft curls, and her makeup matches Nora’s, only the eyeshadow and blush are more conservative.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” I mutter, and Nora gasps.

“You swore!” Nora scurries over to her craft table and returns with a jar stuffed with dollar bills. “You have to pay.”

I glance at Addie, and she shrugs. “It is the rule.”

“There are a lot of bills in there.”

“She’s very dedicated to keeping me in check,” Addie laughs, moving to stand beside me. She’s a hair’s breadth away, but it feels too far. I want her in my arms.

“I’m saving up for a trip to Disney!” Nora yells, “When the jar is full, I’ll have enough to go.”

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