Page 125 of Fielder's Choice

After some brutal field practice after strength training, Cole and I trudge back to our room in desperate need of showers.

Thanks to the MLB’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, we technically all have the right to our own rooms, but not all of us care that much. During the season, I do make sure I get a solo room since Sage travels with us—at least until she’s school-age—and I like to keep her with me. But during Spring Training, she stays back in New York with Rory because I don’t want her to be away from home for a straight month and a half. Cole and I decided to room together since it’s his wife with my daughter, and it’s easier to just talk to them together.

When we’re both clean and sweat-free, I grab my MacBook and call Rory so we can FaceTime our girls.

After a few rings, we’re greeted by Sage’s face right in front of the camera. “Daddy!”

“There’s my Lovebug!” I smile. “I miss you, Sagie.”

“Miss you, Daddy.”

Rory pulls Sage back from the camera so we can see them both, and she has a devious look on her face. “I miss my Daddy, too.”

“Oh God,” I say, scrunching my nose, and then I turn to Cole and lower my voice. “Does she actually call you Daddy?”

Cole just throws his head back and groans. “Rory, it’s okay to keep some things between us.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” she smirks.

“Are you teasing your husband?” I hear a voice say offscreen.

When she comes into view, my heartbeat quickens. “Hey, Ballerina.”

“Hi, Hotshot.” Olive’s smile is so sweet and tender, and it engrains itself in my soul.

“What are you doing over there?”

“I had my therapy appointment this afternoon, and I figured I’d stop by to see Rory.”

“And Sage, I’m sure,” Cole chuckles.

Olive blushes slightly. “Yes, I definitely wanted to see Sage, too.”

“Oh, she wanted to see you as well,” Rory laughs. “She talked all morning about that tea party you took her to.”

“My girl sure loves her tea parties,” I chuckle.

“Which girl?” Cole teases, and my response is to elbow him in the side. I’m still trying to not have my daughter ask questions.

Olive ignores his quip. “I like to make Sage happy.”

“I don’t think you have to try too hard to do that, Liv,” Rory smiles. “She’s smitten with you.”

“Is that true, sweet girl?” Liv asks, bopping my daughter’s nose. “Are you smitten with me?”

Sage looks at her in confusion. “I don’t know…”

We all laugh, but we know the answer even if Sage doesn’t understand the question.

But she’s not the only one smitten.

God, I’m completely enamored by Olive.

She strutted into Urban Grind and took my breath away on day one, and now, months later, she’s all I can think about.

She’s all Iwantto think about.

She’s the best part of every day, and I finally feel that connection I’ve been craving.

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