Page 104 of The Hope Once Lost

“Good job out there today, kiddo.”

“I was wondering when you were going to come say hi.”

“Bella,” Natalie scolds.

“Thanks, Coach. We lost, though.”

I nod. “But I bet you learned something either way. That’s winning in my eyes. You lost the game but learned a lesson. Next time, bring the lesson to the game. We’ll do better.”

She takes my words, puckering her lips and nodding with furrowed brows. “So wise. Good thing you’re a coach.”

“Bella,” Natalie whispers again, making me smile.

“It’s fine. She always gives me a hard time; I’m used to it.”

Natalie exhales, carrying her annoyance in the air. “She shouldn’t, though. She knows better.”

“You know what? I’ll let you two lovebirds talk for a second. I’m gonna go say bye to my friends.” Izzy skips away, leaving Natalie, Vero, and me alone.

“Is she always this much of a smartass for you?” Natalie asks in an exasperated sigh.

“What is a smawtass?” Vero asks, raising her hands in question as she shrugs.

“Oh my God. Vero, don’t say that.”

“Where is a smawtass?” she repeats, this time looking around, and now I can’t hold my laughter. “You awe a smawtass?” she asks me, and I shake my head.

“No, I’m Holden. Hi!” I offer her my hand, and she takes it with both of hers, examining then dropping it.

“Holen!” She lets out a dramatic sigh and buries her head in the crook of Natalie’s neck.

“I swear I know how to parent these two. Vero’s echoing is getting worse as she progresses in therapy, and I love it, but I forget I have to watch my mouth around her.”

“I didn’t think you could cuss, Beauty.”

“Oh, I can, but I try really hard not to. You should listen to my thoughts, though. Those are filthy.” Her green eyes snap wide. “You know what? I think I need to go to bed, because clearly, I forgot how to speak.”

I tuck a hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering as they brush her jaw. “Relax. Not a big deal. It was good to see you, though. Thanks for coming to the game.”

“Uh-huh. I wouldn’t have missed it.” Her previously red cheeks are starting to fade as her shoulders drop.

We stay in comfortable silence, her blue-greenish eyes locked on mine as she sways side to side, Vero on her hip.

Ask her out again.

What if our date was a fluke, we go out again, and she decides she doesn’t like me?

Ask her out again.

She’s so beautiful, it hurts, and I love how comfortable her kids are with her. If I stand here any longer, I’m going tocontinue to list in my brain over and over again the things I like about her.

“Any plans this weekend?” There, I asked her.

“Um, I work both days. Ellie’s baby is sick, so she can’t come to work.”

“Do you want company?”

She cocks her head to the side. “Are you offering?”