Page 89 of Dominate
I frown up at him in the darkness. “Consider what?”
“Consider moving to London of course,” he replies and gives my back a squeeze.
“What?” My eyes fly wide. “You’d want me and Sophia to come?”
“Of course I would,” he states instantly. “I wouldn’t go without you two. And since Sophia’s cancer scans came back clear last week, I don’t see what would stop us. I know your work is here, but I also know that you’re capable of so much more. London is the fashion capital of England, isn’t it? There’s loads you can do there, I’m sure.”
I bite my lip excitedly at the positively electric twinkle in his eyes. Gareth has been pushing me to make more time for my own designs. Maybe this is the kick I need to take things to the next level.
“Move to London.” I repeat the idea out loud to give it full life in my mind. “I’d consider it I suppose. Sophia would hate to leave her friends, but she’s young enough to make new ones. And she’d still get to see them when she comes back to visit Callum.”
“See? It can work. And all my family lives there, so Sophia can grow up with her cousins.”
“Cousins?” I giggle at his term. “I think you’re skipping a step there.”
“It’s all coming and you know it,” he retorts and kisses me on the lips with a smile. “We’re good, Sloan. You and I are so good.”
I exhale heavily and shake my head. This is madness. Complete and total madness. “Do you really want to give up football?”
“Yes!” he exclaims and cups my face in his hand to punctuate his reply. “I grew to love the game because of what it gave my family, but those reasons don’t exist anymore.”
I bite my lip and watch him curiously. “And what reasons exist for you to retire?”
“Two,” he replies, holding up his two Sophia-painted fingernails and trailing them down my bare shoulder. He squeezes the side of my waist and adds, “I hate being away from you and Sophia, and I know my career will never top playing in a World Cup tournament with all of my brothers. The timing seems perfect for me to end on a high, don’t you think?”
I inhale deeply and nuzzle my face against his chest, pressing my lips to the heartbeat drumming away beneath the skin. Steady, secure, and strong. Just like Gareth. “I’m with you in whatever you decide,” I murmur, unable to wipe the excited smile off my face.
He vibrates with a silent laugh. “You sure you don’t want to boss me around again? You were doing so well at it a few minutes ago.”
Two weeks later, Sophia’s smile is permanent as she stares down at a giant soccer-ball-shaped birthday cake with the entire Harris family pressed in all around her.
It’s a beautiful summer night at the weekly Harris Sunday night dinner in London. Except tonight is extra special because Sophia and I werebothshocked when we walked into Vaughn’s backyard and everyone yelled “Surprise!”
The Harris family transformed the backyard into a pink birthday party wonderland for Sophia, complete with balloons, twinkling lights, a bouncy house, and a cotton candy machine, which I’m told is called candy floss in England.
Sophia is a happy little eight-year-old because she didn’t know she’d be getting two birthday parties this year. A few days ago, I had a small pool-party at a hotel with a couple of her friends from school. Callum and Callie even managed to show up, which made me wonder if Cal ever even broke up with her in the first place. Not that I care. After the snotty remarks Callie makes to Sophia, I’m not about to warn a girl. Honestly, the two seem perfect for each other. They both showed up in fancy outfits, complained about the heat, and left twenty minutes later. It’s clear that nothing will be changing there any time soon.
The candles glow on Sophia’s face as the sun begins to dip behind the trees. She struggles to shove her fluffy pink tutu under the picnic table as everyone sings “Happy Birthday” to her at the top of their lungs.
When they finish, Sophia blows out the candles and everyone cheers, with Tanner being the loudest. Sophia side-eyes him hard. She does not find Tanner amusing at all, so he has made it his life’s mission to win her over.
“Little Minnow, do you want some of my candy floss to go with your cake?” Tanner asks as he folds himself onto the open seat beside her. He offers over his stick of pink fluff.
I’m seated on the other side of her and can see her roll her eyes. Gareth is standing behind me, and I feel him shaking with silent laughter as he catches her expression, too.
He clears his throat and interjects, “You shouldn’t be eating that anyway, Tanner. We fly out for Russia in two days.”
Tanner scoffs obnoxiously. “What’s the World Cup in comparison to Little Minnow’s eighth birthday?” Tanner nudges Sophia and waggles his brows.
She continues staring at him with complete indifference and a tiny splash of annoyance.
Gareth squeezes my shoulders affectionately and adds, “You’re trying too hard with her, Tan. She can smell the desperation.”
Tanner drops his cotton candy on the table in a huff. Then he dips his head so he’s eye level with Sophia. “Sophia, can you please tell me what it is you don’t like about me? I’m bloody dying for your affection! I can’t sleep at night! Ask Belle. She’ll tell you. Have you not been receiving my letters?”
Belle shakes her head from across the table. “You don’t have to answer him, Soph. Keep playing hard to get. It’s the best way.”
Sophia frowns up at Tanner and with a perfectly serious face, she replies, “Well, maybe when your hair isn’t longer than mine, we can talk.”
