Page 95 of Draft Pick
“Oh, I hoped for it.” He places a chaste kiss on my lips. “Sleepover at my place?” he asks, grinning like a schoolboy.
“Will there be more dessert?” I ask, only teasing.
“How about we stop by Boone on the way home and raid the kitchen?”
“Deal!” I squeal, grabbing my purse and leading us to the door.
“Hey, Juniper?” Crew calls out from behind me.
I spin to face him and smile. “Yeah?”
“I really do love you. You know that? No regrets about us.”
My heart warms, and I nod slowly. “No regrets.”
29
CREW
“Are you serious?”
“I’m serious!” Addie shouts, giggling through her words.
I stop short, attempting to be as dramatic as possible for added effect. “Are you sure? You’re serious?”
More giggles. God, that’s the best sound. “Yes, Daddy! I’m serious! I told you I was sooo smart.”
“I’m so proud of you, Doodle!” I cheer, picking her up by the arms and spinning her in circles.
“We knew you could do it, baby girl,” Hilary tells her kindly, gesturing for her hug. Hilary’s girlfriend, Margo, follows suit behind her, and I love watching my little girl be surrounded by so much love.
“I love you, Mommy. I love you, Margo!” Addie shouts, more giggles erupting from her lips. Her laugh is contagious, stirring giggles from the beautiful woman beside me.
“Alright, now it’s my turn!” Juniper shouts, crouching to her knees in the middle of the parking lot with arms wide open. “Get over here, little Emerald City queen.”
“I could never forget about you, Princess Juniper!”
Since making things official with Juniper, Addie has announced she’s permanently naming my girlfriend Princess Juniper.
That’s right…girlfriend. I’m a lucky bastard.
I watch the two most important girls in my life hug it out and want nothing more than to join them. But at the same time, witnessing their bond strengthen over time has felt like such a privilege.
Today, Juniper, Hilary, Margo, and I have a bit of a surprise up our sleeves. A surprise Doodle is going to be over the moon about.
“So, does anyone wanna tell me what we’re doing here, anyway?” Addie questions, pointing fingers like we’re guilty.
“Why don’t you go inside and find out?” I tell her, nodding to the diner doors.
With a plan in place, meeting at House of Bread felt like the perfect spot. It also gives me an opportunity to check out the new sign I had made. No longer reading as Ho of read, something Juniper was bummed about, but my Grams was eternally grateful for.
Addie runs full speed ahead, swinging the heavy, wide door open with all her might and stopping short just before entering. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” she shrieks, mouth dropped open in shock.
I share a look with Juniper.Mission accomplished.
“King Size! Uncle Jack!” Addie yells in excitement as we reach her at the entrance. “Princess Juniper, your mom is here, too!”
And Addie takes off to greet all her favorite people in one place. But just as expected, a soft tug at my arm directs my attention back to the love of my life.
