The New Year's Wish by Dani-Lyn Alexander

on it.”
    Garrett sensed her unease but didn’t press it. “Well, you’re welcome to come for dinner if you don’t mind my parents, five siblings, and all of their children.”
    Olivia’s laugh seeped through him, warming him against the chill in the air. “That sounds far more appealing than my father’s formal dinner.” She looked over Gracie’s head at him and smiled. “I’d love to come.”
    His heart stuttered. He quickly pulled his gaze away. There had been something about her from the day he met her, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on that attracted him. At the time, he figured it was her looks. She was so delicate, with that mop of streaked blond and brown hair that he desperately wanted to slide his fingers into and those big blue eyes he got lost in every time he looked at her.
    It was so much more than that, though. It was the suggestive way she waggled her eyebrows at him when she was playing around, the smile she always held firmly in place, and the tender way she interacted with Gracie. There was so much about her to love. Love? Where did that come from? He shook off the thoughts and tuned back into the happy conversation between Olivia and Gracie.
    â€œAnd Dad’s taking me to Times Square to see the ball drop this year. He couldn’t take me last year, but this year he promised.”
    Olivia looked at him, her brows drawn together in confusion. He discreetly shook his head, praying she wouldn’t say anything to Gracie just yet. He knew he was going to have to tell her he had to go to the Harrises’ New Year’s Eve party, but he didn’t want her Thanksgiving to be ruined. He’d tell her soon.
    Olivia’s eyes filled with sympathy before she turned her attention back to Gracie’s babbling.
    He studied Olivia, her cheeks flushed with the cold, her eyes wide with excitement. His feelings for her were getting stronger, there was no denying it. Too bad I’ll never be able to act on them.
    â€œDID YOU HAVE A good time today?” Garrett took the dish Gracie held out to him.
    She took another from the dishwasher and handed it to him. “I had the best time ever. It was awesome.”
    He smiled at her. She looked exhausted, but she fought going to bed. She said she wanted to stay awake and share some special time with him. “Why don’t I finish up here, and you can go get the pillows and blankets and put them on the couch. When you’re done, come back and we’ll make the popcorn together.” He didn’t even know how she was still standing upright.
    â€œSure, Daddy, but I get to pick the movie tonight.”
    He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “You bet, sugar.”
    She skipped from the room. She’d be asleep two minutes after she settled in for the movie.
    They’d found a fairly quiet spot to watch the parade, but still hadn’t been able to see much through the crowd. Gracie had bounced up and down on his shoulders, though, thrilled beyond belief to see the giant balloons and hear the music.
    He put the last of the dishes away.
    Olivia had gotten along so well with his family. Kids seemed drawn to her, and it was quite obvious she loved being with them.
    â€œOkay. Everything’s ready, Daddy.”
    â€œI’ll be done here in one more minute.” Gracie stood beside him, and he lifted her onto the counter. She sat with her feet dangling over the side, while he got their snacks and drinks.
    â€œDad?”
    He paused with the refrigerator door open and looked over his shoulder. “Yes?”
    Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
    Uh . . . oh.
    â€œIs Livvie your girlfriend?”
    He blew out a breath and let the door fall closed. “No. She’s a friend from work. You know that, Grace.”
    â€œOh.” Her disappointment beat at him.
    He poured them each a glass of milk and returned the carton to the