Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“You’re mean when you’re pregnant,” I joked.
“I’m not just pregnant. I’m hungry. I’m hangry.”
“Which is why I have this for you.” I reached into my duffle bag sitting under the bench and pulled out a candy bar.
Holly’s eyes lit up as she yanked it from my hand. “Chocolate!” she cried.
No, really.
She cried.
Sudden bursts of tears had been happening over the past few months. I just rolled with it and always tried to have snacks on hand. As I looked across the field, I saw Alec talking to Ayumu. “Look at that,” I pointed. “You think that’s going to be a thing?”
“With the way Mano keeps pushing the two of them together, I wouldn’t be shocked if they were in love by next Christmas,” Holly said. “Maybe I would’ve been better off with him as my dating coach. He seems to be a great matchmaker.”
I chuckled, wrapped my arms around her, and pulled her into a hug. “Your dating coach did what needed to be done.”
“Yes, but if it wasn’t for Mano making that fake dating app page for you…” she teased.
She wasn’t wrong, though. I thought about that often. If it weren’t for Mano cat-fishing me, I might’ve never had enough guts to let Holly know how I felt. Sometimes in life, we need a little push forward. Or, more so, an aggressive shove.
“Well, one day, I’m going to get him back and play matchmaker in his life,” I swore.
“That would be quite the story.” Holly’s hands landed on her stomach as the baby began to kick. “Have you thought of other name options for him?” she asked.
“Actually, yes. We could name him Kai Junior.” I smirked. “But we’d call him KJ for short.”
Holly gave me a harsh glare and grumbled at the idea of having a kid with initials as his first name. “It’s almost like you hate me.”
I leaned in and kissed her. “Not even close.”
“Kai! Get back down here! We’re starting again!” Mano hollered, waving me over.
I stood and bent down to give Holly one more kiss.
“Bring that football home to us,” she ordered, slapping my behind as I turned to walk away.
As I returned to the field, I realized my life had everything I wanted: laughter, family, and love. I couldn’t think of anything better than that. I was the luckiest man alive, and I owed it all to the woman who chose to love me. She taught me that—that love was a choice. It was something we chose day in and day out. Love was a verb. It was active, growing, and evolving, and I was happy I could explore said love with Holly.
I couldn’t wait to grow old together. I couldn’t wait to see who we’d both become. I couldn’t wait to date her for the rest of our lives.
My Holly Jolly.
My forever date.
For as long as we both shall live.