Page 223 of Fighting Chance

“We make a pretty good team.”

“I suppose we do,” she says.

Wagging my brows, I tease, “And how do you think I did on our first family costume?”

Layla’s smile is infectious. “Ten out of ten, Ashford. I don’t know how you’ll top this next year.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I have a list on my notes app. You’re in for a lifetime of hilarious costumes.” I clear my throat. “Speaking of great ideas, you should go talk to Bella about the children’s book.”

Layla bites her lower lip as we come to a stop at the end of the next house’s driveway. Despite Emmy’s impatient tugs on our hands, I wait for Layla to say something.

Emmy doesn’t have to wait long.

“Do you think?” she asks quietly.

Happiness sparks within me that she’s finally considering it. “I know, sunshine.” Tugging Emmy from Layla, I cock my head at Bella and Grayson behind us. “Go on, I’ve got this house.”

Something flickers in her eyes, a deep emotion I can’t place before it’s gone. Stepping toward me, Layla lays her hand on my chest and lifts onto the top of her toes, quickly planting a kiss on my cheek. “Thank you, Ashford,” she whispers.

Before I have time to snap myself out of the love haze she put me in, Layla is already walking toward Bella and Grayson is beside me, waving his phone in front of my face with a shit-eating grin.

“You’re so fucking in love it’s almost sickening.”

Squinting at the phone, I see it’s a photo, Layla kissing my cheek while I stand there with the biggest smile on my face, and more importantly, little Emmy looking up at us like we hung the moon for her.

My throat is thick with emotion. “Can you send that to me?”

“Already done,” he says, his grin still firmly in place.

Pulling out my phone, I quickly save it, then make it my phone wallpaper, and hit upload online.

Because I am madly in love and I want the entire world to know that my family is what means the most to me.

Chapter 49

Kieran

ICEHAWKS BITCHES

MITCHEL

HOLY FUCKING SHIT

Ashford’s banging the nanny

IRVING

HE MADE IT INSTAGRAM OFFICIAL

JOHNSON

another soldier down

O’CONNOR

you’re well due to fall Johnson

JOHNSON