I untangle my fingers from her hair and take her face between my palms, forcing her to meet my eyes. “No, I don’t,” I say truthfully. “Because if I were still playing, or nearing the end of my career, I wouldn’t be here. I’d still be out in Washington, or anywhere else across the state. If I was still playing, I never would have met you. I wouldn’t be lying here, with you in my arms and our Little Star growing in your belly.”
I kiss her as she smiles against my lips. “So, no. I wouldn’t go back, and I don’t regret a thing, Aubrey. Because even if it took ten years, at the end of the day, it brought me you.”
“I think we still would have met,” she says after a beat. “Our story might have been slightly different, but I think our paths would still have crossed.” She blushes slightly. “I think I would have seen you at a game, and you would have seen me, too. I think you would have done anything to get my name, or my number, or to see me again. And I think I would have fallen in love with you the same way I did in this lifetime.”
My heart swells with every word and all I can do is kiss her harder as my hands release her face to wrap around her body, pulling her closer to me.
“I think I would have fallen in love with you, too.”
AUBREY
~ The Next Day ~
Shane and I are standing in the kitchen as I wish him goodbye. He has to go into the office before boarding the plane in a few hours. His family left just a little over one hour ago, so now it’s just us.
At least he’s leaving only for one game, so he’ll be back the day after tomorrow. It’s hard to be without him, but I know I have toget used to it. This is the life I’ve signed up for, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Shane’s arms are around me as he kisses me all over, not ready to let me go. He growls into my neck, kissing the sensitive skin behind my ear. “God, I wish I could stay here with you forever.”
“It’s only for like two days; you’ll be back before you know it.” I giggle as a smile spreads over my lips. I get it, I miss him the moment he walks out the door every time. Even when it’s just to go to the arena for the day.
“Still too long,” he mutters, coming in for my lips.
“Ah, young love.” Marianne sighs delightedly as she wanders into the kitchen.
The doorbell chimes and I drop my head against Shane’s chest as he looks up, knowing exactly who has arrived.
“I’ll get it,” she tells us as she heads for the front door.
A minute later, the man I was expecting walks in, looking no different than the last time I saw him. Lionel is a tall and intimidating man, taller than Shane by an inch or two, with big bulky muscles over his dark skin, and when he takes on that serious face, he really does look scary. But Lionel is a sweetheart with the kindest soul, he’s funny and puts me at ease with his fatherly warmth.
When Julian introduced me to him, I was really uncomfortable having this massive man following me around. But then Lionel introduced himself and asked me questions about my life and laughed along with me. He could sense I was nervous and wanted to show me I had nothing to fear with him. We bonded instantly and within a short period of time he became like a father figure I could tell all my secrets to. I guess the fact that he is twenty years older than me and could very well be my father also helped with that feeling.
“Ah, there’s the young lady I’ve missed seeing every day.” Lionel comes toward me with his arms wide open as I step away from Shane. “How have you been little Miss Ford?”
“I’m good, Lionel. How about you?” I smile as I hug him back. Despite not wanting to be in this situation again, I’m happy it’s him.
“Only good things. Quite the upgrade you got from the condo, eh?” He chuckles softly. “And I’ve heard that isn’t the only upgrade that’s happened since I last saw you. No more sneaking around to his office, I see.” This time he laughs wholeheartedly as I pull away and hide my face from embarrassment.
“Ugh! I knew you would bring that up.” I giggle as my face heats.
“Stop, it was cute how you thought he didn’t know it was you.” Lionel beams as he turns to shake hands with Shane. “Good to see you again, Shane. It’s been a while.”
“Good to see you too, thank you for watching over my girl when I can’t.” Shane grins back. “So, you were also responsible for sweets mysteriously showing up at my office door?”
“Oh yeah, she thought she was sneaky with her ‘wanting to reward you for all your hard work’ excuse. Let’s just say that her bolting down the hallway after knocking on your door made it pretty obvious it was a lot more than a reward.” Lionel’s rich laugh fills the kitchen once more.
“Okay, no more talking about that. I’m embarrassed enough as it is.” I fan my face with my hands.
Shane pulls me to him and kisses my forehead. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I loved opening my door to find a little surprise on the other side, it made my day every time.” I look up at him with a smile, wondering how I ended up with this wonderful man.
“I should also be congratulating you two on the baby, you must be excited,” Lionel says with a twinkle in his eyes as he watches us.
“We are.” Shane’s hand comes down to my stomach as butterflies take flight inside it. I don’t have a belly or anything yet, but the gesture always makes my stomach do a somersault and my heart beat a little louder.
Shane checks the time on his phone and sighs. “I need to go.” He kisses me deeply then presses his forehead to mine. “I’ll call you when we get off the plane. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
