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“What has you so happy, my Sunny?”

His worry melts away and that bright smile is back.

“I got a call from Luxton. They still want to interview me next week, but Miss Greene, the one who was retiring⁠—”

I smile. “Yes, I know her,” I remind him.

“Right,” he chuckles, clearly jittery. “She changed her mind and wants to teach for one more year. But the school is really interested in choosing me or the other person who’s up for the job. They said if I get it, it’s for next year, so that means I could hang out with the boys for a full year more. And I know maybe I still won’t get it, but this is perfect. I was worried about you finding another nanny and how that would⁠—”

I shut him up with a kiss that, after cheering, has the boys mocking us, making silly kissing noises.

“You’ll stay here for as long as you want,” I whisper when, dazed, Sunny pulls back.

“That’s gonna be a long time,” he warns, but his smile grows at the same time as mine.

“Good.”

EPILOGUE

Tucker

July 28th

“Reed and Mr. Carlson are here,” Rae says over the intercom, and I hear Reed’s agent protest.

“Please, call me Bobby.”

The audio gets cut off before I can find out if Rae has enough energy to give her professionalism speech today, and I guess not, since the two men walk in only a few seconds later.

I like that Rae knows to just send them in, that she knows me well enough to understand that my silence in the office is agreement.

She told me it’s weird, and I know it’s weird, but I just prefer not to have to say yes over and over again.

Especially on days when I’m using the office for meetings and Rae can’t have the space to herself. She runs the office unless I’ve got something going on she doesn’t know about.

“Gentlemen,” Sarah greets them. We stand and get the handshakes out of the way as well as an offer for refreshments, then sit in the lounge area that’s set up in the far corner.

“So, you said you got an offer,” Bobby says—I have no issues about calling him Bobby.

“Chicago,” Sarah says, and nods while our player and his agent digest the news.

Sarah and I talked about what this meeting would be like, and she agreed to let me talk to Reed while she handles Bobby, so I get right to it.

“I know Dale is still finishing grad school in Rhode Island,” I start off, because Reed has two brothers he’s been caring for since he was barely an adult. “I know this city is your home, and I want to make it very clear that we were not planning on trading you. You’ve got two more years on your contract and we like having you here, you have the A for a reason. But since this is Chicago, since they just drafted Sean . . .” I trail off.

I don’t have to go into too much detail for Reed to understand how we’re thinking this through, why we’re even humoring this offer.

“They’re not in rebuild mode. They expect to be right back in the finals next year and win the whole thing this time. It’s a great opportunity for you.”

“What are they offering?” he asks, voice quiet.

I’ve always admired his ability to be calm, to take everything in stride and with the patience of a saint. Though when you’re tasked with caring for your thirteen- and seven-year-old brothers when you’re an NHL rookie, I suppose life shapes you.

“First and second draft picks for next year,” I tell him outright.

“That’s a lot for a thirty-year-old defenseman,” he mumbles, but I shake my head.

“You’re valuable to a lot of teams, not only us or The Deep. You’re a great player, a great guy to help keep the locker room going.” He doesn’t say anything to that, but stares down at his twisting fingers. “Look, Reed, I’ve only been my brothers’ guardian for a few months and I’ve got all the help I can get. I’m sad to even consider this offer because I know you’re probably one of the best men who’s ever worn a Demons sweater. But I also know your priorities. You’ve been in the league nine years, and this is a chance to get a Cup sooner rather than later.”