Page 113 of Game Plan

Not that you can spoil a newborn by holding her, but it’s enough to annoy Finn—hopefully enough to put the baby down.

“The irony of you calling me a spoiler is wild, Pop.” He rolls his eyes. “We’re bonding. This is what you do with newborns.”

“You don’t have to do it all in one day.”

“And, you know, I’d like to hold my daughter again,” Branch says, waking up from a nap. Bastard. “Give her to me, Miller.”

Finn makes a face but walks by the foot of Layla’s bed and gently lays Leonie in her daddy’s arms.

“She’s gorgeous, Layla,” I say, as Branch pulls the blanket away from Leonie’s face. “You two make the prettiest baby girls.”

“That’s half of my DNA,” Finn jokes, moving behind my chair. He squeezes my shoulders. “You could have as many of those as you want.”

I make a face, teasing him back. “Maybe. I was getting on board, and then I watched Layla push that out of her … vagina.” I recoil at the word, but I’m not sure what anatomical term you’re supposed to use when referring to something other than sex. “I think I’m back to no again.”

“Guess we’ll have to keep practicing in case you change your mind.”

“I do love a man with a backup plan,” I say, laughing and getting to my feet. “Lay, Branch—we’re going to go give you some much-needed alone time with your new baby.” I shoot Finn a look. “Right?”

“I guess.” He takes my hand and laces our fingers together. “If you guys need anything, call.”

“We will.” Layla smiles at her brother, then at me. “Thank you both for being here. I love you guys.”

“We love you, too.” I lift a brow at Branch. “And you’re not too bad, I guess.”

He chuckles, not taking his eyes off his daughter.

Finn says his goodbyes and I practically pull him out the door.

The afternoon is warm as we step outside and head to Finn’s SUV. I sneak a peek at him as we walk, smiling at the peaceful look on his face. I was worried that he’d regret retirement or get so bored he’d lose his mind. But he’s managed it all so well, exploring new opportunities, volunteering at a youth program, babysitting Sunny … and helping with the foundation he funded.

I glance at my phone. “Kennedy texted me an hour ago and said the last bit of paperwork should go through on Monday.”

“That’s amazing.” He smiles down at me. “I hope you’re proud of yourself. What you’re doing with Someday Now is pretty damn spectacular, Poppy Miller.”

I laugh, his new name for me making my heart sing. He swapped out Quinn for Miller months ago even though our wedding is still six months in the future. He said he needed to test it out. But that’s fine. I don’t mind hearing it.

“Well, I think part of its spectacularness is because it was funded so quickly,” I say, laughing.

“By a very generous donor.”

I hit his shoulder with mine. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“No, you’re lucky you love me. Think of the headlines it would’ve caused if I had to sit outside your house every day shirtless until you changed your mind.”

My cheeks ache from smiling. He would’ve totally done that. And it probably would’ve worked. I’m weak when it comes to those shoulders.

After his retirement announcement, all but two of the endorsement deals fell through, and Finn offered to personally replace the money I’d expected to earn from the deals and donate it to Someday Now. My first instinct was to balk and say no. I’ve spent too many years ensuring that no one can ever hold anything against me, never being financially, or otherwise, beholden to a man. Jordan taught me that accepting anything from someone meant owing them something in return.

But Finn isn’t Jordan. Not in the least.

And loving Finn isn’t a debt I must repay. It’s not a transaction. He doesn’t keep score of anything but orgasms, and that’s only so he feels like he did his job—which I find amusing, but I’m not arguing. We just love each other, and sometimes that means letting the other person give more than they received.

Finn didn’t offer to fund Someday Now because he wanted a seat at the table. He did it because he knew what it meant to me … and what I mean to him. And for once I put my fears down and let him do something far too generous without wondering what it would cost.

We reach the SUV, and he opens my door, waiting until I’m inside and buckled before closing it. He climbs in the other side and slides his sunglasses over his eyes.

“Where to now?” he asks.