Paige squeezed her eyes shut. “I just need to make sure this is something you actuallywant,Lance. You just got some life-changing news—I don't want you getting swept up in the moment and committing to something you aren't ready for. I can't bring you into Irie's life full-time if we're not totally sure that this will work out for us. This is all so soon, so sudden! I have to be a responsible parent here, Lance. I have to put Irie first.”
“She's my daughter too, Paige.” He almost sounded upset. “I need her in my life. And I wantyouin my life, too. I want to give us a shot.”
“Really? You do?”
“Two years, Paige. That's how long I couldn't shake you from my mind. Wanna know how many times I jerked it thinking about our night together over the past two years?”
She rolled her eyes. “Lance …”
He cracked a grin. “Point is, there was something about you I couldn't forget. Then to find out we have a daughter together?” He shook his head. “Look, no matter what happens between us, I'm going to make sure you two are taken care of, alright?”
That helped put her mind at ease, and she heard the words coming out of her throat.
“Then yes. I'll do it.”
Chapter 20
Lance
When dinner was over, Lance didn't have to be told what to do—he sprang from his seat, gathered all the dirty dishes, and immediately started cleaning up. Paige, on the other hand, set about giving Irie her night-time bath and then dressed her in her jammies.
He could already tell that they made a good team, and he couldn't wait to start their new lives together. It was crazy when Lance stopped to think about it, but it wasreallyhappening. That was one of the many great things about being such a handsomely paid athlete—the money afforded you so much freedom, you could change your life's direction on a dime.
And then, with the dishes done and Irie in her jammies, it was time for Paige to start packing her bags. Two suitcases for herself, and two smaller bags for Irie. Lance hung out close by, keeping Paige and Irie company.
His phone began to ring. He saw it was Sterling Image and rejected the call.I'll call that doofus back in a bit.
While Paige stuffed her suitcases, the two excitedly talked about the future they were about to run off to as if they were taking a spur-of-the-moment vacation. Paige was going to call the Burger Stand in the morning and tell them that she quit.
“Why not do it now?” Lance asked. “You know, give ’em a little more time to get your shifts covered.”
“I—I guess Icould,” Paige stammered. “They'll be pissed. And it'll suck to lose the job reference. But you're right; they wouldwant to have more notice.”
“You won't needa job reference, Paige. You won't have to work anymore at all. You'll be at home with Irie.”
“Is that how you want me?” she teased, bursting with an ornery smile. “At home, barefoot with the baby? Cooking and cleaning all day? I suppose you'll want me to pop some more little ones out too, hm?”
“That's not what I'm saying … in fact, I think you should finish your nursing degree.”
Paige dropped what she was doing to rush over and smash her lips into Lance's.
“You like that idea?” he asked, one arm around Paige and the other holding Irie.
“Loveit,” she sang.
And then she picked up her phone, made an uncomfortable phone call to her employer, and then squealed. “It's done! I really did it! They were pissed, but oh well!”
Then it was Lance's turn to dream out loud about their future. He announced his plans to immediately start baby-proofing his condo as soon as they got back. He had a spare bedroom—Radar's old room—that would beperfectfor the little girl. He told Paige that his sister, Ella, was an interior decorator. She'd be gladto help decorate for a baby, Lance said—in fact, she'd already decorated his condo once before! That's why he had such a sweet place.
Since Paige wanted to know more about his sister, Lance told her all about Ella, or as he sometimes called her,Honey Badger.Lance told Paige how, last season, Honey Badger had fallen in love with his teammate, Radar. It was a full-blown scandal between the two teammates, who were also best friends and roommates at the time. Radar and Ella's love affair nearly ruined their friendship and almost split the team apart in the process. But at the end of the day, Lance buried the hatchet and gave his blessings to Radar and Ella. And now look at ’em—they were married, and Honey Badger was pregnant with their first.
“Here. This is her.” Lance said as he showed Paige pictures of Ella. “Man, she's gonna besomadwhen she finds out that Ihad a baby before she did! Ha!”
“Competitive siblings, I take it?”
“Oh, you havenoidea.”
“Wow, we're finally learning about each other,” Paige said with a wild grin. “So tell me. What's it like being a professional athlete, Mr. Hockey Star?”
