Page 87 of A Game Plan for Love

“Like Nora gave me the stomach flu,” he huffs a small laugh. “I think the worst has passed.”

“Let’s get you on the couch, and you can try to eat a little soup.”

I spin out of the bathroom, but I stop in my tracks at the sight of his guest bedroom.

“Declan, what is this?”

Emotion clogs my throat, and he steps in front of the open door.

His smile is small and unsure, but he answers, “The beginning of a new dream.”

CHAPTER 25

Love Me Back – Max McNown

Declan

“You’renotsupposedtosee this yet,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck.

I feel sick for an entirely different reason now.

This makes me look like a crazy man—one who moves far faster than what’s considered normal.

Her eyes are wide as she slowly steps into the furnished guest room, complete with light pink walls and cream moldings. A white wooden daybed sits in the corner of the room, decorated with fluffy pink and purple pillows and a flower comforter to match.

There’s a small bookcase, full of books Maren and Sawyer thrifted, and a storage bench to store toys over a rainbow-shaped rug. A vanity with a small mirror sits against the wall, and in the final corner of the room, there’s a lilac bean bag chair. Addie runs her fingers along the sheer curtains bracketing the window on the far wall. On the outside sits a window box full of pink and purple speckled petunias.

I stand rooted in the doorway as she surveys the space. It’s too early for her to see this. The girls were right, this is movingwaytoo fast, regardless of whether it feels right.

“Addie, I—” I step forward to explain myself, to make myself appear less insane, but the words fizzle off my tongue when she turns, and there are tears in her eyes.

She flings herself toward me, and I catch her as her arms wrap around my neck and she clings to me. Her breathing is ragged as she hyperventilates against my chest. I guide her to the small bed and sit her down.

Yeah, this was my worst idea to date.

My stomach roils, and I force back the discomfort and crouch down in front of Addie. Her hazels eyes are frantic and she sucks in shallow breaths, cheeks growing red from the lack of oxygen.

“Breathe, Addie.” I take long, deep breaths until she’s calmed down.

“I can take it all down,” I say hastily, “I didn’t mean to freak you out. I wouldn’t have—”

I’m scrambling for a way to explain this all away without her breaking up with me. Two months of seeing each other doesn’t usually mean decorating a room for your girlfriend’s daughter, but it feels right, no matter the speed.

It feels like Nora and Addie belong to me, and I belong to them.

And I’ve only ever felt that once in my life—with Alan.

“Don’t youdare,” she hisses, features morphing to anger.

Uh…I’m confused. She doesn’t hate it?

Addie clutches a throw pillow tightly to her chest, eyes darting around the room with wonder.

“This is for her?”

“I…um…I wanted her to have a space where she could feel safe. If you ever came over…”

She cries in earnest now, fat tears trailing down her cheeks, staining the pillow a dark pink. It’s the kind of tears where I can’t tell if she’s simply overwhelmed and this is a response, or if she’s reconciling the fact she needs to break up with my crazy ass and she needs to cry it out first.

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