Page 29 of The Game

“Dani.” Veronica wraps her arms around my shoulder. “Tell me all about you.”

I shrug. “There isn’t much to tell.”

She gives me a pointed stare and waits. As the seconds pass, no one else from the crowd comes to save me. Here goes nothing. Can I impress his family? Not a chance. “I’m not exciting. I’m an only child.”

“Her dad is Daniel Vaughn.”

Veronica grins with wide eyes. “You’re kidding. That’s too cool.” She squeezes my shoulders and steps back. “Gunner and our dad were obsessed with your dad. Wait until I tell him.”

Shit, maybe I can impress them. Thank you, Dad.

“He’s going to flip his lid when I tell him.” Veronica twists around and looks for their father in the crowd.

Gunner hefts Joselyn into the air and tosses her to a cacophony of giggles. “You aren’t stealing my thunder. Dani’s my girlfriend.”

My heart stops in my chest and then pangs against my chest like a rabbit’s tail thumping on the ground.

Veronica slaps her hands on her hips. “Are you being for real or messing with Mom?”

He steps closer to me and kisses me on the lips. My knees go weak, and everyone else in the room disappears. Lord, he’s swoon-worthy.

When he leans back, he raises his eyebrows. “Real?”

I lick my lips. “It feels real.”

She wraps her arms around us. “Oh, you two are so darn cute.”

Joselyn places her hands on my cheeks and puckers her lips. Oh, for the love of God, this family is going to break me into pieces.

“You’re going to have to kiss her. She’ll sit like that all day. Waiting,” Gunner smirks.

I lean in and breathe in her scent. She smells like strawberries and baby lotion. Her perfect bow-shaped lips smack against mine, and then, she gives me an enormous grin. “You’re pwetty.”

“Thank you.” My eyes sting as tears threaten to explode. Being an only child, I’ve never been around kids or babies, but I’ve dreamed of being a mother. I would love a houseful of kids someday. Shit. What do I do next?

“Do you want to hold her?” Gunner shoves her toward me, and Joselyn opens her arms.

“Really? Don’t kids avoid strangers? She won’t cry, will she?” My fingers shake as I hold out my arms.

“Nah.” Veronica shakes her head. “Uncle Gunner is her favorite. If he gives you the seal of approval, she’ll accept you as part of the family.”

Joselyn is light in my arms as her pudgy fingers play with the necklace resting between my breasts. She lifts the heart pendant and studies it. “Pwetty.” Her fingers latch on to it, and she tugs.

“Joselyn.” Gunner gives her a stern look, and she drops it.

“Asshole.” Veronica rolls her eyes. “She doesn’t listen to a word I say. All Gunner has to do is give her the, ‘You aren’t behaving like an angel’ look, and she jumps like she touched a hot stove.

He puffs out his chest. “What can I say? I have a way with the ladies.”

Veronica snorts. “You’re full of shit.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to disagree with her whole-heartedly, but I bite it instead. I’m not sure he wants me to tout his abilities in front of the entire crowd.

Gunner waggles his eyebrows. “Dani?”

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nbsp; “Yes?” I swallow and shift Joselyn from one hip to the other. Wow. For a tiny thing, she’s not as light as I thought. My upper back aches, and it’s clear I need to pump up on my lifting regimen.

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