Page 114 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie
Ugh. I drop onto the bed, only to spring up again three seconds later. I can’t sit still. My mind is a storm of questions, and the only thing worse than the questions is the waiting.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I tiptoe down the hallway, stopping just short of the living room. If I lean in just a little, I might be able to hear…
“Whitney Marie Langford, you better not be eavesdropping!”
My mother’s voice practically slaps me from inside my head, and I flinch, whipping around and bolting back to my room like I just got caught committing a crime.
Ten minutes later, meaning an hour and ten minutes later, I hear footsteps approaching my door. My heartleapsinto my throat, and before I can even think, I fling myself onto the bed, grab my phone in one hand and a book in the other, and put on my best I amtotally unbothered and super invested in this bookface.
Blake steps in, takes one look at me, and…, chuckles.
His arms cross over his chest as he leans against the doorframe, smirking. “What are you doing, shortcake?”
I lift my chin, forcing the most natural look on my face. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
He raises a brow, his lips twitching in amusement.
I wave both the phone and book slightly. “Can’t you see? I’m reading. And handling my phone. It’s called multitasking.”
Blake pushes off the frame, strolling toward me with that stupid, knowing look on his face. “Uh-huh. Okay, multitasker, that’s great,” he says, amusement dripping from his voice. Then, he stops beside the bed, glancing down at my book. “But since when did you learn to read a book upside down?”
I blink.
My gaze drops to the book.
Oh.
Oh.
My eyeswidenas I frantically flip it the right way up, then look back at him, clearing my throat. “It’s, um…, a skill I just discovered.”
Blake chuckles, sitting beside me. He plucks the phone and book from my hands, tossing them aside. Then, taking my hands, he turns me to face him.
“So…, this skill was awakened because of Olivia’s presence?” His voice is teasing, knowing. “You weren’t jealous or worried about anything?”
I scoff. “Me?Jealous?Definitely not.”
His lips twitch.
“And worried?” I continue. “Why would I be?”
Blake hums, tilting his head. “Oh…, so, that means the person Isawtrying to eavesdrop earlier wasn’t you, yeah?”
“Absolutely not.”
He just laughs, shaking his head before leaning in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead…, then my lips. The warmth of it sends a shiver down my spine.
When he pulls back, his voice is gentle. “Olivia isn’t here to stay. She just wanted to talk about the kids.” His thumb strokes over my knuckles. “She also asked to meet tomorrow at a restaurant - says she has something to tell me.”
My stomach twists.
He lifts my chin. “No one is going to take your place again, Whit.” His voice is firm. Steady. “And I’m not telling you to go anywhere. You’re not going anywhere because I’m not letting you go.”
I swallow and nod.
Blake pulls me against his chest, his lips capturing mine in another deep kiss before wrapping his arms around me.
Iwantto believe him. Ireallydo.
