“It really has.”
A day I want to put on repeat.
Because this day with Sutton?
I want every single day for the rest of my life to be just like it.
Sutton, Troy, and Lydia.
I went from only wanting football in my life to needing these people, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect what we’re building.
Anything.
Chapter Fifteen
SUTTON
“Can we get hot chocolate?” Lydia asks.
“As soon as we find Derek and Troy.”
The Christmas market is jam-packed with people. Seeing how a Saturday afternoon was the only time I could get off—thanks to Jameson covering my shift—it was our only option.
Wooden stalls line both sides of the walkway. Christmas lights, wrapped around garland, hang over the sidewalk. A hockey rink takes up the middle of the park space. A train makes a loop around the market, filled with children squealing in delight. The smells of hot chocolate and warm nuts perfume the air.
There’s a bite to the air today, making us dig out our winter coats. Even though it’s not as cold as it could be, this Southern Cal girl doesn’t like anything below sixty.
“There they are!” Lydia spots them ahead at the entrance to the train ride. She tugs on my hand, pulling us through the crowd. As soon as we’re close enough, I let go and she takes off running.
Lydia and Troy give each other a hug as Derek watches me walk toward them.
“Hi.” The smile on Derek’s lips is sweet. It has butterflies exploding in my stomach. All these months together and it still feels like that first day seeing him.
“Hey.” Pushing up onto my toes, I press a quick kiss to his lips.
“Mommy said we can get hot chocolate,” Lydia pipes up, pulling on Derek’s coat to get his attention.
“Do you want to ride the train before we get some?” Derek asks her.
“Yes, please!” Troy tells us. “Can Lydia and I ride together?”
“Yes,” I reply, smiling down at the pair of them.
Derek heads to the ticket counter to grab tickets for all of us as I wait with the kids in line.
Families and couples fill the park space where the market is being held. Kids run around and play while parents hold hands.
It has a warmth blooming in my chest as Derek walks back to us with a smile on his face. I have fallen head over heels for this man.
Dare I say it, I’ve fallen in love with him. It’s that thought that consumes me as we take our turn on the train and I listen to the happy squeals of the two excited kids in front of us.
Derek’s happy smile next to me has me leaning into his side. Everything with Derek is easy. Sure, our schedules are hard to line up, but after Derek’s team won the state championship, it got easier. But we’ve made time for each other. Because that’s what you do—you make time for the things that matter.
And Derek matters. Troy and Lydia and this little family unit we’ve somehow created together.
“You okay?” Derek whispers as he helps me out of the train car. Troy is on one side and Lydia on my right.
“Just happy.” I nod, leaning up to him. “Very happy.”
