Page 52 of The Love Syllabus

“What?” She whispers.

“I’m gonna make sure you always feel comfortable and safe. That’s my job as your coach,” he tells her, tapping her shoulder lightly. “So, what do you say? You ready to meet your teammates?”

Ari’s eyes widen in shock, then flicker to me, searching for my approval.

I nod. “Go on, baby girl. Have fun.”

A rush of excitement replaces her nerves as she runs toward the field with Hawkins and Kiera.

Syd roots for her sister, but her excitement begins to fade. Her hands slowly fall to her sides as she continues to glance at her shoulder pad.

Serena instantly notices, kneeling beside her and resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You know, every athlete needs someone in their corner. Someone cheering them on, hyping them up.” She tilts her head toward the other side of the field. “That’s the Greer Pipettes Dance Team? Their juniors are about your age. Do you wanna meet their coach?”

Syd hesitates, her fingers twitching like she wants to reach for my hand but stops herself.

Sensing her insecurity, I chime in, “It’d be so cool to watch you dance. If you want to join the team, you can, Syd. You whooped my butt last night, and now I can confidently say you’re the best dancer ever.”

Syd turns to me, the light returning to her face. “Really, Daddy?”

I smile, resting a hand on her head, giving her the reassurance she’s looking for. “Absolutely. Now, go ahead. Have some fun.”

That’s all the permission she needs. She takes off, her excitement back in full force as she practically skips away with Serena.

One by one, my girls are stepping into the world, finding their place, carving out spaces where they shine, and not because of what sets them apart but because of what makes them extraordinary. They’re passionate, talented, and undeniably strong. They’re growing.

And maybe, it’s time I let myself do the same with new experiences, new people, and new chances at happiness. Perhaps even a new relationship, even if it’s fake.

We find a perfect spot on the grass, where Kerry shakes out a blanket before laying it down. The park hums with life—kids laughing, parents cheering, and adults playing games that clash with the kids’ soccer practices.

It’s a little bit of everything happening at once. But right now, it’s just us.

Kerry lifts an eyebrow. “So, are you ready to snuggle up with me?”

A chuckle escapes me as I slide my hands into my pockets. “For the cameras, of course,” I reply, keeping my face straight, though the smirk tugging at my lips gives me away.

She rolls her eyes, but there’s amusement in them as she sinks onto the blanket. I follow, sitting beside her. It feels natural and easy.

This is different. This is closer than we’ve ever been before. So close, I catch the scent of lavender and honey lingering on her skin—sweet, familiar, and completely her. So close, I can’t ignore the pull, the way my body reacts, the way my mind warns me and dares me at the same time.

Fake or not, sitting here with her like this? Itfeelsreal.

Kerry leans in slightly, then lowers her voice to a whisper to ensure no one else hears. “Do you think we should touch? Like hold hands, subtly enough so the girls don’t see us but enough to make other people notice?’” She pulls back quickly, second-guessing herself. “Or maybe a selfie? Even more subtle?”

I smirk, watching the way she fidgets with the hem of the blanket, her nerves making her ramble. “You’re nervous, aren’t you?” I ask, hoping to ease the tension.

She nods, exhaling a quiet laugh. “Of course I am. There are so many people here who think I’m nothing without my ex, beneath my ex, or just some simple local with no real future. I wouldn’t mind a different narrative for once. A different type of gossip.”

I study her for a moment, seeing her for everything she’s not saying. And without another thought, I reach for her hand and intertwine our fingers. She tenses for a brief second, but then her hand relaxes as though she’s finally letting herself trust what both of us are feeling. Letting herself trust me.

“You know, you should just let the town see you for who you are,” I say, my voice steady but warm, my thumb tracing over the back of her hand. “The wayIsee you.”

She tilts her head, raising a playful brow. “Oh really? And who’s the woman you see, Vic? Your energetic, often stubborn nanny who questions everything you say and takes pleasure in stressing you out?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Close, but no.” I turn to her with my voice more sincere and filled with truth. “You’re my daughters’ incredible homeschool teacher. The woman who loves them like they’re her own. You shape their minds. You calm their fears. You celebrate their wins. You make them feel safe. You make them feel seen. You’ve made their lives better, Kerry,” I continue, my thumb brushing gently over the back of her hand. “You know how good you are. And Iseehow amazing you are. So, let them talk.”

For a brief moment, we gaze into each other’s eyes, caught in what feels like a trance that could shift everything. The noise around us fades—the shouts from the soccer field, the distant chatter, the occasional bark of a dog. None of it matters.

Then, just as I’m about to break the silence with something, anything, she closes the distance between us completely and leans in until her body melts against mine. And to my surprise, she rests her head on my shoulder as if it belongs there.

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