Page 67 of Dominate
Booker smiles a shy smile and leans in. “The baby is arriving any day now, and we’re holding off on wedding plans until then. For now, we’re just excited to become parents.”
“Camden, any chance your wife will be on the medical staff for England?”
Camden laughs and shakes his head. “I’m afraid that’s not up to me, but I’m certain my wife would do the job well. My knee has never felt better.”
“Gareth, what do you think your father will say when he hears the news?”
I inhale a deep breath and exhale slowly before replying, “I think he’ll say that our mum would have loved to be here for this.”
AFTER THEWORLDCUP PRESSannouncement, Gareth’s team played against Camden’s in London and lost. Talk about a whirlwind of emotions for the family. But they apparently don’t hold a grudge because Gareth is heading to Sunday dinner at their dad’s house like he does nearly every Sunday.
The difference this time is that I’m joining him.
It was just going to be me because this is Callum’s week with Sophia, but Margaret called to say she isn’t feeling well and asked if I can keep Sophia. I have a feeling she is in bad shape because when I asked if she wanted me to bring Sophia out for a quick visit, she ardently said no.
Margaret is never one to show weakness.
Now, Sophia and I are on a train heading to London to attend our first infamous Harris Sunday dinner.
Sophia sits across the train car table, her feet dangling off the ground as she stares out the window to watch the English countryside whiz by us. “So, Mummy, do I call the little girl Rocky or Adrienne?”
“You can call her whatever you’d like,” I reply, taking a sip of the coffee I just bought off the snack cart.
Sophia nods, her bushy brows furrowing as she gives it some seriously deep thought. “Maybe I’ll come up with my own nickname for her.”
I smile behind my cup. “That would be just fine.”
Sophia’s thoughts are clearly rolling on top of one another when she asks, “So all these men play football?”
I nod. “Yes, they do.”
“And you said two of the ladies are doctors?”
My smile is growing. “That’s right.”
“And there’s a teacher?” Sophia’s eyes are wide as she smiles brightly. “This family sounds so cool. I’m glad you are in love with Gareth.”
I nearly choke on my coffee. “Who said I am in love with Gareth?”
“Oh, please, Mummy. It’s so obvious.” She rolls her eyes in that “seven going on seventeen” way.
I hold back a laugh. “How is it obvious?”
She pins me with a look before staring up at the ceiling and listing all the ways. “Like, how you check yourself in the mirror before he comes over. And you make sure the house is always clean. And you never walk around naked anymore.”
The naked comment has my eyes narrowing. “Well, those could just be normal things. They don’t necessarily mean I’m in love with him.”
Sophia is completely undeterred. “Well, you smile now, too.”
My brow furrows. “I smiled before.”
“Yes, but it was a sad smile,” Sophia replies, widening her big brown eyes on me. “It was a smile that looked like you were pretending.”
My heart skips a beat inside my chest. “Sophia, I’m sorry if I ever made you feel that way. I was never pretending with you.”
“Maybe a little bit you were,” she corrects and crosses her arms on the table to rest her chin in her hands. “It’s okay, Mummy. I know why.”
“Why?” I ask, genuinely curious to hear what her answer will be.
