Page 164 of Fielder's Choice

I sure as hell won’t complain about that

Olive

I’m sure you won’t

But you never answered my question

Are you home yet?

Lane

We just landed

I’m grabbing Sage from Rory, and then we’re getting ready

We’ll be over for dinner soon

Olive

I can’t wait

Neither can Harvey…

“You ready, Lovebug?” I say, peering down at my daughter as we come to a stop in front of the Finch rowhome in Greenwich Village.

“Yes!” Sage says excitedly as I open the ivy-covered gate, and we step down the stone path.

We walk up the front steps, and before I get the chance to knock, Eileen swings the front door open. “There’s my favorite little ballerina!”

“Eiween!” Sage shrieks, running into her arms. My girl is obsessed with the members of the Finch family, and it makes me so fucking happy.

“Do you want to come help me and Olive’s dad in the kitchen?” Sage nods happily, and Eileen turns to me. “We’re so happy you guys are joining us tonight. Liv is in the living room with the others.”

“Thanks, Eileen,” I say, stepping over the threshold and closing the door behind me.

I catch the sound of laughter, and I follow it, knowing I’ll find Olive on the other end. I walk down the hallway and carefully peer around the corner, and I see Liv standing with her back to me as she talks to Harvey, Michelle, Violet, and Luna.

And I’m nothing if not an opportunist.

I tiptoe around the corner, finger to my lips, signaling to the others to keep quiet. When I get right behind Olive, I wrap my arms around her waist and lift her into the air; all the while, she screams in front of me.

“What the hell?!” After I spin her around, I put her back on the ground, and she finally turns around. When she notices it’s me, she lights up with a bright smile and then jumps back into my arms. “Lane!”

“Hey, Ballerina,” I grin and hug her tight. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too,” she says lightly, kissing me gently before I finally let her out of my arms again.

“Oh my God, Liv!” Michelle says happily. “This is so cute!”

Olive chuckles as she turns around to face them again, leaning back against my chest. “Sorry about that.”

“Bright pink,” Luna states.

I peer down at Liv and wonder what the hell Luna is talking about. She’s in a blue sundress right now. Not pink at all.

“She’s not wearing pink,” I say, looking at her curiously. Everyone around me laughs heartily, leaving me even more confused. “Am I missing something?”

“Your auras,” Luna adds with a smile.

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