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“Oh, come on, you must feel better about hockey now that you have your own player.” I hold my arms out at my sides.
“Maybe.”
“She’s only eight. She may decide she wants to try ten other sports by the time she’s twelve,” I say.
She nods. “I know. I’m more upset by how quickly she’s growing up than her possibly wanting to play hockey. Time is passing so fast. I feel like if I blink too quickly I’ll miss something crucial.”
“You won’t. You’re a wonderful mom.”
“And you’re going to be a wonderful stepdad.”
“Are you proposing to me?” I ask.
She laughs. “Yeah, sure. Pretty original proposal, right?”
“I think I can do better,” I say.
“Hmm, that remains to be seen.”
Leaning forward, I press a kiss to her lips. “I can’t wait to make you my wife.”
* * *
“I’m exhausted.” I stretch my legs out in front of me toward the fire in the outdoor fireplace. “I couldn’t wait for everyone to leave. As much fun as I had, I just wanted some time alone with you,” I say.
“Me too. I was so glad Ryan wanted Tillie with him tonight. I want to sleep in tomorrow.”
“Technically, it is tomorrow.” I point to the time on my phone. It’s officially after midnight.
“I thought it was nice of you to let Ryan bring Brutus home with them.”
“He wanted to go anyway. Tillie’s his favorite person in the world, and I know how much Ryan likes him too. Our families have meshed really well. I think it’s meant to be.”
“I have some news I need to share with you,” Evie says.
“Okay.” I don’t know what she’s about to say, but she looks calm, so it can’t be bad.
“I got a job offer.”
“You did? When?”
“Yesterday.”
“Why am I just hearing about this now?”
She leans her head on my arm. “You were busy getting everything ready for the party and I didn’t want to take away from Tillie’s day.”
“Give me all the details.”
“Well, it’s part-time for now. But it’s teaching art at a youth center downtown. They run free after school programs for kids whose parents work and can’t be home with them. The schools bus the students there, and I’d be working for a few hours each afternoon. Ryan said he can get Tillie from the bus every day. I’ll need to cut back on my hours at the pet salon and change up my schedule, but that’s doable,” she speaks quickly.
“You seem excited about the opportunity.”
She smiles. “I am. I think it’ll be great for getting experience, and it’s right in the wheelhouse I was looking for.”
“Congratulations, Evie. I’m so happy for you.” I kiss the top of her head.
“Yeah, between the job offer and Tillie’s party, I don’t think this weekend could be any better,” she says.
