Page 120 of Silver Fox Puck

Replaced with something warmer. Something heavier. Like I said something I wasn’t supposed to say. Like I hit too close to home.

"Kenzie!"

Olivia’s voice cuts through the moment, and I turn just in time for her to grab my hand again.

"I got birthday cake flavor! Wanna try?"

Crisis averted.

I exhale, laughing, grateful as hell for the distraction.

"Of course I do."

And just like that, I let the moment slip away.

Chapter 27 – Grant

Ishould have seen this coming.

Kenzie and Olivia were always going to like each other. Kenzie charms everyone she meets. That’s just who she is.

But Olivia isn’t just laughing at her jokes.

She’s gravitating toward her.

Like they’ve known each other forever, and she’s already decided Kenzie belongs.

And I don’t know what the hell to do with that.

I lean back in my chair, watching them, trying to process what’s happening.

Olivia isn’t shy. She’ll talk to anyone. But she isn’t easy. She doesn’t just trust people. And yet, she’s already sharing her ice cream with Kenzie. Letting her steal bites. Smirking up at her like she’s already adopted her into her tiny, six-year-old circle of trust.

And maybe I should be freaking out. Maybe I should be pulling back.

Because this is a collision I didn’t prepare for.

And yet—

I can’t look away.

I watch as Olivia steals one of Kenzie’s cookie pieces off her ice cream, and Kenzie gasps dramatically.

"You little thief!" she accuses.

Olivia just cackles, unbothered.

Kenzie glares at me. "Are you seeing this?"

I smirk, crossing my arms.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about. My daughter is an angel."

Kenzie snorts.

"Yeah. Sure. An angel with sticky fingers."

Olivia grins up at her, unrepentant.

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