“You’re the only one for me.

My sun rises and sets on your smile.

My heart beats because yours does.”

― Elle Kennedy, The Goal

“We all hurt. We all love. We’re the same. And your past, who you live with, where you
came from, it doesn’t have to matter. You’re creating your own future, and I want to see
where the road forward takes you.”
― Elle Kennedy, The Goal

“Rules are for suckers and boring people,”

― Elle Kennedy, The Goal

“So money doesn’t matter once you get down to it. It doesn’t matter how thin or thick
anyone’s wallet is. We all hurt. We all love. We’re the same.”
― Elle Kennedy, The Goal

“I fight the grin that’s trying to surface. For all his sweet words and aw shucks smiles,
Tucker really is an alpha fucker. I don’t know why that thrills me so much, but it does.”
― Elle Kennedy, The Goal

“She does love me, but sometimes that love is so tainted, I don’t know if it’s hurting me
or helping me.”
― Elle Kennedy, The Goal
“Footsteps approach the kitchen. Garrett wanders in, wiping sweat off his brow. When he
notices Sabrina, he brightens. “Oh good. You’re here. Hold on—gotta grab something.”

She turns to me as if to say, Is he talking to me?

He’s already gone, though, his footsteps thumping up the stairs.

At the table, Hannah runs a hand through her hair and gives me a pleading look. “Just remember
he’s your best friend, okay?”
That doesn’t sound ominous.
When Garrett returns, he’s holding a notepad and a ballpoint pen, which he sets on the table as
he sits across from Sabrina. “Tuck,” he says. “Sit. This is important.”

I’m so baffled right now. Hannah’s resigned expression doesn’t help in lessening the confusion.

Once I’m seated next to Sabrina, Garrett flips open the notepad, all business. “Okay. So let’s go
over the names.”

Sabrina raises an eyebrow at me.

I shrug, because I legitimately don’t know what the fuck he’s talking about.

“I’ve put together a solid list. I really think you’re going to like these.” But when he glances
down at the page, his face falls. “Ah crap. We can’t use any of the boy names.”

“Wait.” Sabrina holds up a hand, her brow furrowed. “You’re picking names for our baby?”

He nods, busy flipping the page.

My baby mama gapes at me.

I shrug again.

“Just out of curiosity, what were the boy names?” Grace hedges, clearly fighting a smile.

He cheers up again. “Well, the top contender was Garrett.”

I snicker loud enough to rattle Sabrina’s water glass. “Uh-huh,” I say, playing along. “And what
was the runner-up?”

“Graham.”
Hannah sighs.

“But it’s okay. I have some kickass girl names too.” He taps his pen on the pad, meets our eyes,
and utters two syllables. “Gigi.”

My jaw drops. “Are you kidding me? I’m not naming my daughter Gigi.”

Sabrina is mystified. “Why Gigi?” she asks slowly.

Hannah sighs again.

The name suddenly clicks in my head. Oh for fuck’s sake.

“G.G.,” I mutter to Sabrina. “As in Garrett Graham.”

She’s silent for a beat. Then she bursts out laughing, triggering giggles from Grace and
eventually Hannah, who keeps shaking her head at her boyfriend.

“What?” Garrett says defensively. “The godfather should have a say in the name. It’s in the rule
book.”

“What rule book?” Hannah bursts out. “You make up the rules as you go along!”

“So?”
― Elle Kennedy, The Goal

“We’ve both read the same books, so I know direct sunlight is harmful for babies. Whenever I
take Jamie out, I make sure she’s wearing her hat and is hidden safely beneath the stroller’s
shade screen. I pretty much treat her like she’s a vampire.”
― Elle Kennedy, The Goal

“I fight the grin that’s trying to surface. For all his sweet words and aw shucks smiles, Tucker
really is an alpha fucker. I don’t know why that thrills me so much, but it does.”
― Elle Kennedy, The Goal
He nods, busy flipping the page.
My baby mama gapes at me.

I shrug again.

“Just out of curiosity, what were the boy names?” Grace hedges, clearly fighting a smile.

He cheers up again. “Well, the top contender was Garrett.”

I snicker loud enough to rattle Sabrina’s water glass. “Uh-huh,” I say, playing along. “And what
was the runner-up?”

“Graham.”

Hannah sighs.

“But it’s okay. I have some kickass girl names too.” He taps his pen on the pad, meets our eyes,
and utters two syllables. “Gigi.”

My jaw drops. “Are you kidding me? I’m not naming my daughter Gigi.”

Sabrina is mystified. “Why Gigi?” she asks slowly.

Hannah sighs again.

The name suddenly clicks in my head. Oh for fuck’s sake.

“G.G.,” I mutter to Sabrina. “As in Garrett Graham.”

“Footsteps approach the kitchen. Garrett wanders in, wiping sweat off his brow. When he
notices Sabrina, he brightens. “Oh good. You’re here. Hold on—gotta grab something.”

She turns to me as if to say, Is he talking to me?

He’s already gone, though, his footsteps thumping up the stairs.

At the table, Hannah runs a hand through her hair and gives me a pleading look. “Just remember
he’s your best friend, okay?”

That doesn’t sound ominous.

When Garrett returns, he’s holding a notepad and a ballpoint pen, which he sets on the table as
he sits across from Sabrina. “Tuck,” he says. “Sit. This is important.”

I’m so baffled right now. Hannah’s resigned expression doesn’t help in lessening the confusion.
She’s silent for a beat. Then she bursts out laughing, triggering giggles from Grace and
eventually Hannah, who keeps shaking her head at her boyfriend.

“What?” Garrett says defensively. “The godfather should have a say in the name. It’s in the rule
book.”

“What rule book?” Hannah bursts out. “You make up the rules as you go along!”

“So?”
― Elle Kennedy, The Goal