Page 62 of Full Strength

I smiled. “I’m sure that’s all he could ever want.”

Grant smirked. Noah was a star, but on a team of excellent players it was easy for him to get lost, especially since he’s so young. I was happy he’d have a chance to get noticed.

“What about the other part?” He was looking down at me with such a serious expression and I swear I could feel Lucy staring a hole into the side of my head.

“I’m so happy for them.”

Grant nodded. “Me too.”

“I’m sure there are a few jealous people though.” I glanced toward Lucy out of the corner of my eyes and he laughed.

“I think Kendall probably thought she'd go first, but Hartman is taking his sweet time.”

I wondered which one Grant would be? Fast like Noah or drag his feet like Hartman?

Wait, no thinking like that. We had a long time before getting engaged would even be on the radar.

We moved forward to give Noah and Colby our best wishes. It was strange moving through as a pair. The way people moved for both of us, and greeting us as one. Maybe Lucy wasn’t as far off as I thought.

Eli started fussing a bit and without a word, Grant took him from me and held him up against his chest so he was facing forward. I smiled at my boy and he was instantly so much happier.

“I learned this trick earlier today.” Grant sounded proud of himself.

“Well, look at you baby whisperer.”

He grinned and moved forward to clap Noah on the back. “Congrats, man. I’m happy for you but I’ll miss you next season.”

Noah smiled. “Thanks, but don’t worry we aren’t going anywhere for a while. I just wanted you guys to know before it went public.”

I gave Colby a hug. She looked a bit dazed. “A lot to take in?”

She nodded. “I knew about the transfer, but we hadn’t really decided on when or if I’d go with him. I thought maybe I’d move up after he got settled and I had a few more clients up there to manage but I guess not.” She didn’t exactly sound disappointed by the change of plans.

“You’re going to get married here, though, right?” There was no way she’d take that from us. I doubted Chloe would let that happen.

She shook her head. “Oh no. I want all of you to help me. We’ll probably get married right after the season ends. That seems to be the trend.”

I smiled and nodded. That was when everyone’s anniversaries were. It seemed like any other time wouldn’t work with the guy’s hectic schedules. Plus, it wasn’t like any of them could take time off during the season.

We let Erik and Madi have their turn with the couple and moved back into the kitchen.

Grant put his arm around my shoulders, rubbing them with his free hand. “How was work?”

I sighed. “It’s over.”

He laughed. “That busy?”

I nodded and leaned into him. “I almost didn’t come tonight because I was so tired, but I’m glad I did.”

“Me too. You would have been pretty mad if you missed this.”

He was right. This was not a night to hear about later. I was so glad I got to be here for our friends’ news. Lucy’s words were stuck in my mind. Would we really ever be next? She seemed to think we were on that track, but I wasn’t so sure. It wasn’t something Grant and I had discussed, and did I want to go through that again? It hadn’t ended well last time, but I’d been with the wrong man. I looked up at him and smiled. He pulled me close and I rested my head on his shoulder while rubbing Eli’s back. Something about this clicked for me. It was right.

I could see it. I could see us like this, forever.

19

Grant