Page 100 of Fielder's Choice

Drying off my hands on the towel Sage left behind, I stand myself up and walk out to join them. And I just take in the scene of my still dripping-wet daughter cuddled on Olive’s lap.

“Come on, Sage,” I say sternly. “You know what time it is.”

“No bedtime!” she shrieks, burying her face against Olive’s chest.

“Yes, bedtime. You need to get some sleep.”

And Daddy wouldn’t mind some alone time with your ballet teacher.

Olive looks at me and smiles softly. “I can carry her to her bedroom if that would help.”

“That would be perfect.”

Surprisingly, Sage doesn’t argue as Olive stands up and positions her on her hip. Once she’s settled, she follows me down the hall to Sage’s bedroom, walking over to the dresser before setting her down on the ground. “Here you are, Sage!” She turns to me now. “All yours now, Hotshot. I’ll let you two be.”

Sage quickly throws her arms around Olive’s leg, clinging on for dear life. “No weave! Owive stay!”

Olive glances at me warily before bending down to my daughter’s level. “Bedtime is just for you and Daddy, sweet girl. But I can tell you good night now.”

“No,” Sage pouts. “Owive stay.”

I shove my hands into the pockets of my joggers and shrug. “I don’t mind if you stay, Liv.”

She looks at me in surprise. “Won’t that mess up your routine?”

I give her a reassuring smile. “Our routine will be fine. You can stay. If you want to, that is.”

“Of course,” she replies, trying to hide her grin. “I’d love to help.”

Sage bounces and claps, reveling in her little victory.

Olive works with me to get Sage ready for bed. She helps her brush her teeth. She dresses her in her favorite pair of purple dino pajamas. And she gets the honor of readingLlama Llama Red Pajama,Sage’s current favorite book. I have the entire thing memorized because I’ve read it so many times.

When it comes time to actually lay her down in her bed, Sage asks Olive to do it instead of me.

And I don’t feel an ounce of jealousy when she does.

My girllovesOlive.

She finally has a woman in her life who isn’t one of my friends.

Technically, Olive and Iarefriends, but that’s not my end game. Anybody who sees me with her can see that.

I’m so fucking smitten with the woman my daughter adores, and Iwantto share these moments with her.

I want to keep sharing them with her, too.

Potentially forever.

And as I watch Olive sitting on the ground, hand grasping my daughter’s through the wooden slats of her bed rail, forever feels a little less out of reach.

thirty-six

Lane

AfterSagefallsasleep,I walk out of the bedroom ahead of Olive. She’s still a few steps from the door as I stand on just the other side of the doorway.

And when she finally crosses the threshold and closes the door softly behind her, I quickly press her up against the wall, mouth on hers in a searing kiss.

---