It took me a moment to answer, too surprised by his tentative tone. Clearing my throat, I answered, “I’d love that too.”
“Awesome.” A grin appeared on his mouth. “I’ll go get it set up.” He raced out of the room, his heavy steps pounding up the staircase. Alone in the empty kitchen, I stood there, listening to Lottie’s sweet laughter and the deep rumble of Pearce’s voice.
Only a few hours here, and this was a version of domestic bliss that was both terrifying and something I didn’t dare dream of. There was something brewing between the two of us. The last forty-eight hours or so had made that crystal clear.
I needed to be brave enough to go for what I wanted, find a way to push aside my joke of a relationship with Wayne, and swallow back my concerns of destroying my friendship with Pearce while not breaking my and Lottie’s hearts in the process.
Pearce Malcolm was worth the risk.
I just needed the dust to settle from the emotional and absolutely terrifying two days I’d had. That way nothing would be clouding my judgement. When I made my move, I needed Pearce to know I meant every word and gesture.
* * *
Dinner was fun,Lottie in her element being doted on by the two of us. Pearce and I sat on a picnic blanket. Where he’d found it, I had no idea, but it had made us all smile and provided the perfect setting to finally be able to unwind, knowing that Lottie was safe and healing.
“How’s the team feeling about your first game?” I asked after pushing my plate to the side.
“Good. Everyone’s still buzzed and trying hard not to get ahead of themselves. It’s really something to finally be making the playoffs. To go the whole way….” He trailed off with a sigh that spoke of dreams.
“Your team is strong. You’ve been playing like champions all season. There’s no reason why you can’t get to the finals and win this thing.”
“You think?” Uncertainty dipped his voice, and from his tone, he wasn’t seeking an ego boost.
“I know it.”
“Dad’s right,” Lottie added. She’d given up on her half-eaten dinner and had been resting quietly, flicking through her phone. “Your stats have been amazing this year, and anyone who knows a thing about the game only has to see you on the court to know you’re one of the top ten players in the League.”
As I grinned at my daughter, a surge of love filled my chest. I loved that she was so invested, but more than that, that she wanted to offer Pearce the reassurance he needed.
When I focused on Pearce, it was impossible to miss the tenderness etched in his features. He reached out and fist-bumped Lottie, saying, “You’re the best, Lottie girl.”
Her smile was sleepy, cluing me in to her really needing to get a good night’s rest.
“Right, kiddo,” I said as I stood. “Let’s get you washed up and back to bed.”
“I’ll get her pain meds,” Pearce said before I could even ask.
I shot him a grateful look. “Thanks.”
“Anything for my girl.”
Every time he said that, offered such effortless affection, emotion slammed into me. I’d never been an overly emotional guy… well, not until I became a dad. From the moment I set my gaze on Lottie, a dam wall or something that had held back a side of me I’d never known existed all but burst free. And with it was this ball of emotion, ready to roll on a dime.
“I’ll get this cleared up too.”
“You don’t have to. You’ve got an early start tomorrow.”
He shook his head. “I can handle getting this done. It’s not my bedtime just yet.” He quirked a brow at me as he gathered the plates.
It didn’t take long to get Lottie ready for bed. She was washed up as best as we could manage since we needed to keep her small wounds dry. But we’d all survive her not being squeaky clean for a few more days. The pain meds and a bottle of water sat on her bedside table, and her room was straightened out from our picnic dinner.
It had been a long time since I hadn’t needed to manage by myself. Moira and I had split when Lottie was just three. It made sense for me to retire when that happened, knowing that while we had shared custody, Moira’s business was taking off and her international travels had started to become more regular.
It meant no nanny, no after school care, just the occasional time out when Moira was around, and the twice-yearly visit to my folks. Being a single dad could get lonely. It didn’t take a genius to understand why I’d attempted to give it a shot with Wayne, but looking around the tidy room, seeing the tendrils of care from Pearce, brought things into sharp perspective. Wayne had never done anything like this.
Rather than dwell on the whole Wayne saga and wishing I’d ended things before they’d even begun, I focused on tucking in Lottie, hoping I’d get a few minutes alone with Pearce before he crashed.
“Night, kiddo. You call out to me if you need anything, okay? If it hurts to call out for any reason, just use your cell. I’ll keep mine switched on.”
