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  Craig came closer to her, a look of pleading in his eyes now.

  “I can wait. I’ll wait till the morning. I’m not leaving without having met my daughter,” Craig said and grabbed Olivia’s shoulders. She tried to wriggle free but he tightened his grip.

  From the corner of her eyes, Olivia could sense that Rufus was turning away from them.

  “Craig, please…” She tried pleading with him, but he didn’t relent.

  “Why didn’t you tell me sooner, Olivia? My daughter is two years old now. I’ve missed so much time. We’ve missed so much time,” Craig said. He tried to hug her, but Olivia pulled herself away.

  Rufus had placed his hand on the doorknob now and Olivia bit down on her lip. It was now or never. It had to come out eventually, and what was the point of denying it anymore?

  “She’s not your daughter, Craig,” Olivia said quietly and watched as Rufus stopped in his tracks and turned to look at them. Craig’s hands fell from her shoulders, a look of disbelief creeping into his eyes.

  “You’re lying,” Craig thundered, louder than he should have. “Why are you trying so hard to keep me away from Maya?” Craig asked, and Olivia breathed in deeply.

  “She’s not yours, Craig. We can get a DNA test if you insist, but she’s not yours,” Olivia said and swung her head to look at Rufus. Rufus stood still, his face paralyzed in shock. He didn’t look disheartened or scared. Instead, there was joy creeping into his eyes as he stood staring at her.

  “Rufus is Maya’s father. We were together around the same time, as you and I were,” Olivia said, turning back to Craig, who looked as shocked as Rufus did now. Only his look was more of disbelief and anger.

  “How can you be sure then?” Craig asked, hurling the words at her, while also throwing glances at Rufus.

  “Because nothing happened between you and me, Craig. We kissed, you led me up to a bedroom and while we were undressing, you fell asleep on the bed.” Olivia crossed her arms on her chest. It felt good to say it out loud and to finally tell the truth to all the parties concerned, even though she still couldn’t be sure how any of this would pan out. But Sophie was right in her own way. Everyone needed to know. Maya didn’t deserve to be a secret. She deserved to be celebrated, to be loved by everyone who was responsible for her. Olivia didn’t need to protect her from Rufus. She remembered the guy Rufus was as a teenager, he was kind, strong and protective. He deserved to know and protect his own daughter.

  “I don’t believe this. Why would Sophie lie to me, then?” Craig thundered again, and Olivia bit her lip. She hung her head, aware that both the men were glaring at her now.

  “Because that’s what I told her. I couldn’t hide Maya from her of course, but at the same time I didn’t want to tell her that it was her older brother’s baby.” Olivia could feel herself blushing.

  Craig sighed loudly and plonked down on the couch.

  “You’ve gotta be kidding me. One last minute flight, all the way from California, all over a lie. Because you couldn’t tell your best friend the truth!” Craig was grumbling now as he spoke, and Olivia blushed a deeper red. He was right. She was a coward and she’d wasted everyone’s time.

  “Take it easy, Craig. She didn’t ask you to come over here.” Rufus spoke up finally and Olivia jerked her head up to look at him.

  Rufus had a smile on his face. He was looking at Craig but turned to her when he sensed her eyes on him.

  “Whatever. Congratulations, man,” Craig said, standing up from the couch and sticking his hand out in Rufus’ direction. “Seems like you always win, don’t you,” Craig said, with an obnoxious grin. Rufus accepted the handshake and then patted Craig on the back.

  Craig threw Olivia a half smile before walking over to the door.

  “Take care, Olivia,” he said and left the house.

  Olivia and Rufus stood staring at each other, several seconds after Craig had left the house.

  “Rufus…” She tried to find the right words to say but he rushed to hold her.

  “You should have told me, Olivia. You have no idea how happy that would’ve made me,” Rufus said, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her close to him. He was kissing her cheek, her neck and her forehead, while she craned her neck back with her eyes closed, enjoying the onslaught of affection.

  “I didn’t think you wanted to know. I didn’t want to trap you. You deserved to go and make your career in the NFL.” She spoke gently as he continued kissing her and Rufus stopped.

  “Take me to my daughter, now,” he said, and she opened her eyes to find his smiling face looking down at her.

  Chapter Eight

  Olivia had dressed Maya in her new clothes, a pink frock with lace and net at the edges. Maya was delighted, clapping her hands and admiring herself in the mirror, as Olivia tied two pink ribbons to her pigtails.

  “I don’t know who looks prettier.” She heard Rufus’ voice behind her. He had just stepped out of the bathroom and was smiling at them. His white shirt was tucked into his tailor-made pants, and the collar was open at his neck. His blonde hair was neatly combed to the side, while his green eyes shone with delight.

  Maya squealed and clapped her hands again, and her father walked over to pick her up in his arms. Olivia looked on, imagining that this moment would last forever. It had been a week since she’d introduced Maya to her father, and since Rufus had moved into the small apartment, already too small for the two of them. He didn’t seem to mind. He’d already extended his trip, canceled PR events and locked himself away with Maya and Olivia.

  “Ready?” he turned to her and asked. Olivia nodded and smiled as she watched him walk out of the bedroom with Maya in his arms, letting her play with his earlobes.

  Olivia gave herself one last quick look in the mirror. Her curls looked great again, and she let them hang loose, just like her daughter’s. She was in a gray lace dress to match her eyes and high gray heels. She’d chosen a pale pink for her lips and painted her nails the same. Olivia wanted to dress up now. She had a reason to. It had started to make her happy again.

  They were waiting for her at the door when Olivia left the bedroom. Maya was still in Rufus’ arms, laughing and giggling at her father. Rufus blew her a kiss when Olivia approached them and then shut the front door behind them, and they climbed the stairs together.

  Rufus didn’t have a car in town, which meant they would have to take Olivia’s old one. He passed her a knowing look when he bent down to fit Maya into her seat at the back, silently reminding her that they had made love in the car less than ten days ago. Olivia rolled her eyes and looked away. He was still a child! She smiled.

  They drove with the music on, and Rufus sang along to the song playing. It seemed to entertain Maya, who tried to sing along as well. Olivia looked at her daughter in the rearview mirror and a realization struck her suddenly: Maya was talking more now. Ever since Rufus had become a part of her daily life, Maya had been less silent. How were they going to sustain this? Was Rufus going to eventually leave again? They hadn’t spoken about it and Olivia looked out of the window to distract herself. She didn’t want to think about how their future plans were going to affect Maya.

  Rufus drove the short distance to his parents’ home quickly and parked the car. Olivia noticed her own mother’s car parked in the drive. So this was actually happening. Their families had all congregated in one place to meet them together as a couple, and to be introduced to Maya as a part of a family.

  Olivia’s hands shook as she undid the clasps on Maya’s seat belts. Rufus appeared behind her and took over.

  “Just relax, Olivia,” he said to her softly, pulling Maya out of the seat and banging the car door shut. Rufus did look relaxed, calm and happy. Olivia wasn’t quite sure how she was going to deal with it. After all, she had been the one lying to everyone all these years. Rufus simply hadn’t known. He wouldn’t be judged for all the lies.

  Olivia heard her heels clicking against the stone steps leading up to the Frost’s
front door. Rufus had Maya in his arms and he knocked on the door, which was opened by Mr. Frost a few seconds later.

  “Rufus! Olivia! And this must be my granddaughter!” he exclaimed, peering into Maya’s eyes. Maya blushed and looked away from her grandfather and, for the first time, Olivia noticed how they all had the same green eyes: Mr. Frost, Rufus and Maya.

  Mrs. Frost emerged behind him, rushing forward to be introduced to the baby in Rufus’ arms.

  Olivia remained standing behind them, smiling as she watched Maya being showered with love and affection. Her own mother had emerged out of the living room as well and came over to Maya to hug her. Olivia felt like her daughter was finally receiving the love she had deserved all along. This is what she had always wanted for her child.

  She saw Sophie arrive with a glass of red wine in her hand. She was as impeccably dressed as usual and leaned against the door frame. Olivia left Rufus’ side and walked up to her.

  “Hey,” she said, trying to get Sophie’s attention. Her friend didn’t look at her, and Olivia felt the resurgence of the wave of guilt she had been trying to keep at bay.

  “So the little brat is actually related to me,” Sophie said, dropping her eyes to the floor for a second and then turning to glare at Olivia.

  Olivia smiled indulgently and breathed out.

  “I’m sorry, Sophie, for keeping this a secret for so long. I just didn’t want anyone to find out,” Olivia said, biting down on her lip. She could understand what Sophie was going through, and that she was feeling betrayed from all directions.

  “First of all, you slept with my brother three years ago and didn’t tell me. Then you got pregnant, had a baby and lied to me about whose baby it was.” Sophie had leaned in to whisper to Olivia through clenched teeth. The rest of the family were still cuddling and playing with Maya, slowly bringing her into the living room.

  Rufus had given Olivia a look on his way in, but decided to let the two women sort it out amongst themselves.

  “I know how it must feel, Sophie. But at the time I thought if I told you the truth, it would be a bigger betrayal. I thought you’d not hate me if you never found out.” Olivia reached for Sophie’s free hand.

  “And then you screamed at me, kicked me out of the house and screamed at me some more for actually trying to help you by calling Craig.” Sophie emptied the glass of wine down her throat and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Olivia sighed and licked her lips.

  “I’m sorry about all that, Sophie. I hope you’ll forgive me someday soon,” she said with a smile.

  “And now you have my brother, you have a kid and you’re going to live happily ever after,” Sophie said. Her lip was quivering slightly. Olivia continued to smile, she was grateful for all this. Grateful for the way her life had turned around. Most of all, she was happy that she still had her friend. That there was still hope that Sophie would forgive her and that things would go back to being the way it was.

  “Are you happy for me, Sophie?” Olivia asked, as quietly as possible. Sophie’s hands were in hers again as the two of them stared at each other. Olivia was begging for forgiveness through her eyes, and Sophie looked like she had still not decided whether she was going to forgive her best friend or not.

  “Of course I am! I’m so happy for you!” Sophie wailed. Olivia could feel the tears coursing down her cheeks as she rubbed them against Olivia’s shoulder. Olivia held her as she shuddered. Sophie had always been one for drama.

  “You have no idea how worried I was for you, and how sad it made me to see your apartment and the two of you alone like that. Now you’re safe with Rufus. As weird as it may be for me, I’m happy you’re in love. And that my brother is in love with you.” Sophie was still crying. Mrs. Frost appeared from the living room to pat Sophie on her back. She was smiling at Olivia.

  Olivia blushed and looked away.

  “Let's all go in, Sophie. Come in, Olivia. We all have to celebrate properly,” Mrs. Frost said, dragging Sophie by the hand and leading Olivia into the living room.

  When she entered she found Maya on the floor, with Mr. Frost passing her new boxes of toys that her grandparents had clearly just bought for her. Maya’s eyes were excited and she was happy, gazing from her toys to her mother and then her father’s face. Rufus was standing behind her, and his face lit up when he saw Olivia walk into the room. Olivia’s mother was on the couch, finally glad to see her daughter happy.

  “Now sit down here, Olivia, and tell us everything that we’ve missed about Maya,” Mrs. Frost exclaimed, leading Olivia to the seat next to her mother. She forced Sophie to sit down too, next to Olivia, while she continued to sniffle and dry her tears.

  Olivia reached for Sophie’s hands and pressed them tightly, holding on to them on her own lap. She was grateful for Sophie. No matter their differences now, they were still best friends.

  “Before that, I have an announcement to make,” Rufus spoke up and all eyes turned to him.

  “It is with great sadness that I must inform you all that I have to go back to Chicago. I can’t delay it anymore, sadly, if I still want to keep my contract.” Rufus looked around the room, while his mother and Sophie gasped.

  “What about Olivia? What about Maya?” Mrs. Frost threw the questions at him, while Olivia felt her hands itching in Sophie’s. She was glad she was holding her friend’s hands. She couldn’t have borne this news alone. Rufus was going to have to leave again. What did he want to do about this new development in his life?

  “They’re coming with me, of course. If Olivia will agree to marry me.” Rufus turned to her with a smile, while Sophie shrieked. Sophie jumped off the couch and rushed to hug her brother, while Olivia and Rufus stared at each other.

  “I’m going to be a Maid of Honor!” Sophie was shrieking, as she jumped over to hug her mother.

  “Olivia?” Rufus asked as he stepped closer to her. Olivia breathed out slowly, expecting the tears to gush down her cheeks any moment now. Maya was looking at her too, sensing the tension in the room.

  “Of course I’ll marry you, Rufus,” Olivia said and laughed when the room erupted in joy. Her mother hugged her, Mr. and Mrs. Frost came over to hug her as well. Sophie grabbed her hand again and held it there, while Rufus bent down on his knee and slipped a ring onto her finger.

  Olivia didn’t look at the ring or stop to admire it. She wanted his arms around her shoulders instead.

  Rufus and Olivia kissed, for the first time in front of other people, and she felt like she could stay in his arms forever. Maya was clapping too, joining in the celebration, and Olivia watched as Rufus went over to pick his daughter up. He looked like a man who didn’t know what to do with the joy he was experiencing, a proud father.

  “She has his eyes, and his hair…no, your hair,” Sophie said beside her and Olivia turned to look at her with a laugh.

  “I should have seen it years ago when she was born.” She added and Olivia bit down on her lip. “I don’t know how you managed to keep it a secret for so long, but now it’s all out in the open. You’re marrying your dream man.” Sophie hugged her friend again and Olivia laughed.

  “I’m marrying everyone’s dream man.”

  *****

  THE END

  Touchdown Daddy

  Description

  Jennifer

  I have the best job in the world. I get paid for touching hot men. And not just any hot men: I am the sports therapist for Philly’s professional football team.

  Of course the guys hit on me all the time. But I know their tricks. I’m a professional and never break my rules.

  Until he lands on my massage table. Justin’s the most gorgeous, the most cocky, and the most annoying player on the team. He flirts without trying and offends the hell out of me. So why am I falling for him so hard?

  I need to stay away from this guy, he’ll bring me nothing but trouble. But I can’t. He’s injured and Coach Michaels wants me to treat him.

  Then the guy kisses me one day wh
en I’m trying to work on him and I know I want him. I run after one explosive night together and try to hold my crumbling world together, facing life as a single mother.

  He’s turned my world upside down, but I can’t ever let him know how much our night changed his.

  Justin

  Every guy wants to be like me. I am the most admired player in the NFL and the most desired one by the ladies. I can talk any woman into my bed. I live for the chase.

  Until I lay eyes on the new sports therapist Jennifer. She’s gorgeous and tough and I know I’ve met my match. Too bad she’s not interested. But I don’t care. I’ll find a way to have her.

  When I finally succeed, she gives me the best night of my life. For the first time, I want a woman to stay in my life.

  She doesn’t.

  I know I’ve fallen for her when the pain doesn’t go away. I need to find her to convince her we need a second chance. But where the hell is she?

  Chapter One

  I was working on the computer in the event planner’s office when I heard someone say my name. I tossed my thick braid over my shoulder and glanced over to see Coach Michaels standing in the doorway. “Here you are, Jennifer. Are you helping Michelle out again?” His face twisted into a frown, one that I suspected meant both sympathy and a bit of worry.

  “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about her having another baby after this. This first trimester is brutal for her, Coach. She was in the bathroom most of the morning before I saw her long enough to send her home,” I remarked with a wrinkled nose as I pictured her pale face in my mind. Poor thing…I never wanted to have kids, but that was probably what most twenty-two-year-old graduates thought. “What’s up?”