Page 109 of The Game Plan
No. Freaking. Way.
I yank open the door and burst into tears.
“Brynn?” My voice breaks, and I’m full-on sobbing. I don’t even know why I’m so emotional, but it’s like a dam has burst.
“Aw, sweetie,” Brynn coos, pulling me into a hug.
“You weren’t supposed to be here until tomorrow,” I mutter into her shoulder. I didn’t realize how much I missed her until she was in front of me.
I reluctantly step back and push the door open wider. Shesteps through, and I turn to face Quinton. He wraps an arm around me, pulling me into his side while he holds his daughter’s car seat with the other.
“Hey, Q.”
“Hey, Savvy,” he greets. “How are you, girl?”
I shrug. “Better now.”
Their daughter coos from the car seat, and I stare down at the cutest little girl. I step aside so Q can bring her inside. He works at getting her free from her harness and hands her over to me.
“Hi, Cleo,” I say softly. “I’m your Aunt Savvy. You are the cutest.”
I stare at the bright, icy blue-eyed girl with flawless golden skin. She’s a perfect mixture of Brynn’s white and Quinton’s dark skin tones—even though Brynn lives on spray tans. Her dirty blonde hair forms adorable springy coils.
“G at the facility?” Quinton asks as I make silly faces at Cleo.
“He should be there for another hour. They were doing a few walk-throughs before they leave tomorrow.”
Q nods, giving his girls a quick goodbye as he heads out. The team is going to be surprised to see him. Quinton Boyd is a legend at CTU, and I’m proud to have been part of his group while he was here. That man will change the NFL game, and our grandkids will be admiring him someday.
Brynn, Cleo, and I move to the kitchen. My peach candle burns on the island. I glance around the space, trying to see it through her eyes. It’s clean enough, but lived in. There are a few bottles and leftover breakfast dishes that need to be washed, but it’s fine. She’s seen me at my worst; a few dirty dishes won’t change our relationship.
“Where’s Lenny?” Brynn asks as I move over to the coffeepot.
“I just put her down for a morning nap. Coffee?”
She nods. “Please. I could use an IV at this point. Cleo is going through a regression.”
I wince. We haven’t had any regressions, but we’re still adjusting to the newborn sleep pattern, although she’s getting better at sleeping longer. Brynn is scrolling on her phone with Cleo on her lap, who’s playing with a teether. I set the mug in front of her, but out of her daughter’s reach. Another knock sounds from the door, and I pause.
“Q forget something?” I ask, but she shrugs.
I cross the room and twist the handle. “Did you for…” My words trail off with a gasp.
Chloe Mariano is standing on the other side of the door with a beaming grin and a pastry box in her arms.
“Chlo— Oh my gosh!”
“Surprise.” She grins, eyes glossing over.
My arms wrap around her. She smells like Chloe—wildflowers and baked goods.
Chloe steps inside and follows me into the kitchen. I squint my eyes at Brynn. “Did you know she was coming?”
“Duh.” She huffs a laugh. “Who do you think organized everything?”
I shake my head. “Did you bake?”
Chloe nods, handing over the box. I flip the lid and inhale the cinnamon goodness of Chloe’s homemade cinnamon rolls. I can feel the drool forming on my lips. “These look incredible.”
