I clap him on the shoulder and squeeze. “Now’s not the time to figure it out.”
Then I head toward my girl, hoping like hell I can make it through the next few hours without giving us away. But damn, those red lips might just be my downfall.
“Look at you.”
Avery does the smallest of spins, showing off what she and Adeline worked on the other day. The two of them are surrounded by Josie, her sister Scarlett, Savannah, and Vivi, and they’re all cheering Avery on.
“I appreciate your help getting her here,” Gavin says, smiling.
When he asked me to mention the family skate to Vivi, I told him I thought it would probably mean more if he actually invited her. He said he already had but she’d been noncommittal.
I get that he wants the chance to see her in person to work on their relationship, so I agreed. It’s a good plan. But he’dhave to move away from the boards to enact it, and so far, he’s only stood here watching.
“She looks like she’s having a good time.”
“They all do,” my father says, coming through the gate.He sidles up next to me and surveys the scene. “Adeline’s so good with her,” he says softly.
Gavin doesn’t miss the comment. Leaning forward, he scrutinizes my dad, then me. “Something I should know?”
Dad, always my hero, answers for me. “It’s just nice that Avery has a female in her life who cares so much. Her mother—” With a low growl, he shakes his head. “Anyway. Adeline is a good influence on her.”
Beckett skates up to the other side of the boards with Dec and Beck in tow. They’re both pretty good on the ice.
“Why you all over here?” he grouses. “This is a family skate, no?”
Before I can respond, the most beautiful laughter floats across the ice. Adeline has Avery in her arms and she’s skating backward quickly, making Avery laugh hysterically.
My heart hammers at the sight of them. It squeezes tight and then grows ten sizes. That’s my family right there.
“I’m going to—” I point.
All three of them are smiling, watching as well.
“Come on, Gav. Take Dec and we’ll go get your girl to skate with us,” Beckett says.
My dad wanders away too, looking for Mom.
I head toward my girls, taking off quickly and building up speed.
Adeline spots me, and her smile grows, the competitive side of her flaring to life. “Look Avey, it’s Daddy. You think he can catch us?”
Avery throws her head back, cackling. “No, girls are faster!”
I love that she thinks that. Adeline is going to give so many little girls like her that same type of inspiration.
But right now, I need to get my arms around them, so sadly, I’m going to have to prove them wrong.
“Maybe sometimes, but this daddy is itching for a hug from his daughter because she’s about to leave. I’m going to use my superpowers to beat Adeline this time.”
Laughter bubbles out of Adeline. “No fair.”
I speed up, ensuring that we’re headed to a mostly empty part of the rink. While I trust this woman with my life, she’s skating backward with my kid in her arms, and I don’t take chances with Avery.
She slows slightly, no doubt thinking of Avery’s safety too, so I catch up to them quickly. Locking eyes with Adeline, I nod, and we both slow. Then I wrap my arms around them both.
“Caught you,” I yell. The hug is quick. I make a big show of the moment so that it looks like this is just part of the game rather than an opportunity to brush my nose through Adeline’s hair and inhale her for one perfect moment. Or squeeze her hip gently, telling herhelloandI’m excited for tonightwithout uttering the words.
The connection only lasts a moment. But I live for our moments.
