Page 124 of Silver Fox Puck

And the fact that she’s even asking it—

That she’s already thinking about it—

That she’s already hoping for it—

It solidifies something in my chest.

Something I can’t ignore anymore. Something I don’t want to ignore anymore. So I take a breath.

And I give her the only answer I can.

"I hope so, baby."

Olivia barely stirs when I lift her from her car seat. Her little arms wrap instinctively around my neck, her face nuzzling into my shoulder.

And just like that, I’m reminded, that this is what matters most.

Not Kenzie. Not my feelings. Not whatever the hell is happening inside my head right now.

Just Olivia. My world.

By the time I get her upstairs and tucked into bed, she’s already half-asleep again.

I kneel beside her, brushing a stray curl from her cheek.

"Night, baby," I murmur.

She hums, barely awake.

But then, in that sleepy, soft little voice—

"Night, Daddy. Night, Kenzie."

I freeze.

My chest tightens.

Because she’s dreaming about her.

She met Kenzie once.

One time.

And she’s already in her head.

Already wrapped up in Olivia’s world.

Already finding a space she wasn’t supposed to fill.

And I can’t decide if that’s a good thing or a really, really bad thing.

I press a long, slow kiss to Olivia’s forehead.

Then I stand, moving toward the door.

And as I flip off the light, my brain betrays me.

Because it’s not Olivia I’m thinking about.

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