Page 49 of A Game Plan for Love

“Addie.” My name on his lips borders on sinful. “Can I kiss you?”

“Fuck yes,” I groan, pressing onto my toes.

My eyes flutter shut, anticipation coursing through my veins. His lips press against mine in a chaste kiss. I grumble against him, and he huffs a laugh.

“Young eyes are watching,” he says against my lips before pulling away.

He steps to the side, and Nora’s jaw hangs as she witnesses the annoyingly mild kiss. I wantedpassion. Declan laughs at the frown on my face.

“How about a second date?” he asks, “Just the two of us.”

“Is that a promise?”

“It can be.”

“All right.”

“Then it’s a promise.” I slip into the driver's seat, my smile hurting my cheeks, when Declan taps his knuckle against the glass. I lower the window. “And remember, my sweet Adeline, I keep my promises.”

CHAPTER 14

Fearless (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift

Addie

Myphoneringsfromthe other side of the living room, and I leap to answer it before it wakes Nora.

I did not read her five different picture books, tuck in every one of her stuffed animals, and sing her a lullaby for her to wake up and require me to do it all over again.

“Hello?”

“Addie, Hi.” Ben’s voice is hoarse through the phone. “I’m sorry to call so late.”

“That’s okay.” Trepidation weighs heavily on my chest. “What’s going on?”

“I have the stomach flu.”

Oh, gross.

There’s a pause, followed by a faint gagging sound.

“I can’t travel tomorrow,” he says.

My stomach drops.

No.

This can’t be happening.

“I know this complicates childcare for Nora,” he continues, “but you’re the next senior person, and the only one I trust.”

The line goes quiet again, and then a toilet flushes. My head is spinning, trying to find a way to make it work, but Meagan is out of town, and Marlene can’t watch Nora overnight.

I don’t have anyone else.

“I’m really sorry, Addie.”

I know Ben would never put me in this position if it wasn’t his last option, and he sounds horrible on the phone, so I know he’s hanging on by a thread.

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