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It takes us far less time to get dressed than it did to shower. I smirk at the memory and reach over to grab her hand.
The sun starts to set as we drive to the team party. Tonight is more than just a social event, it is the night that we make it official. The decision to showcase our connection is a deliberate one, a public declaration of love and commitment is exactly what Astrid deserves. Everyone should know that she’s mine.
I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles.
Once we arrive, I help Astrid out of the car, holding her hand proudly as we walk inside. I swear she grows more beautiful every single day.
Tonight is no exception. Her curves are on display in a beautiful green dress and her long hair is swept to the side in elegant waves.
I’m so proud that she’s mine. Not just because of how beautiful she is, but because of everything that she is to me. For me.
“We don’t have to stay long, right?” she asks, looking up at me as we make our way inside.
I can see her brow furrow, and wonder if she’s remembering the last time we came to a team party, and she left in a hurry after someone said something unkind.
“We don’t have to stay long.” I open the door to the main room. “You’re eager to get me undressed already?” I lean over to whisper the words in her ear, enjoying the way she laughs at my suggestion.
“You can’t blame me when you look like this.” She turns, running her hands over my chest. I’m not modest enough to deny I clean up nice in a suit.
I scan the room. Most of the team is here now. I spot Connor and Tanner in the corner. Connor is talking to Heather, and though her back is turned to us, her red curls are hard to mistake. Cory walks over to them and I see the other guys start to trail into the room.
Looks like everyone cleaned up tonight.
I don’t usually stay long at holiday parties. There’s not usually a reason to.
But this year is different, I think as I look down at Astrid, who smiles back at me, making my throat bob. Everything is different now.
“There’s so many people here,” Astrid says. “Are they all the family of players or..?”
I glance around us. “It looks like some extended family and friends. They tend to gather the masses when the playoffs start.”
Astrid nods her head. “It was nice of Connor and Tanner to bring Heather.”
I scoff. “Connor and Tanner would die without Heather.”
She nods her head to that point too.
“But I actually think there’s a few other nannies here.”
I see Astrid chew on her lip and pull her hand so that she comes closer to me. “You are here because you are my girlfriend, Astrid.”
Her eyes widen and for a moment, I’m afraid that she’s going to cry. But she swallows and smiles.
“If we need to bring a nanny, we’ll bring Silvia next time.”
“Really?”
That makes me chuckle. “What do you mean, really?”
“I mean…” She looks around us, as if concerned people might be listening. “You don’t want me to work for you anymore?”
“Of course I don’t. Let’s be honest, you haven’t really worked for me for a long time. At this point, co-parenting is a much better description.”
She beams at me, but then her face falls. “I should really be paying some of the mortgage if I’m going to stay.”
I cut her off. “If you’re going to stay?”
“Since I’m staying,” she corrects herself.
