I feel a little guilty about the deadline. When I told him five o’clock, it was so I could keep my daughter in her routine. Well, and to keep my distance from him. He’s sexy and charming, and I need all the help I can get. “That sounds good,” I finally say. What I should tell him is there is no time limit, but I can’t seem to push the words past my lips.
The ride is filled with casual conversation. Easton asks me about school and my job. “So yeah, I have just two semesters to go,” I tell him.
“That’s great. You should be proud of everything you’ve accomplished while working and raising your daughter.”
“You do what you have to do.”
He nods. “How is she, Princess Paisley?”
I smile at the sweet name he’s given her. “Right now, she’s in heaven. She’s staying with my mom. They’re going to the park and then baking a cake.”
He laughs. “Uh oh, you think she’ll be hyped up on sugar when you pick her up?”
I hesitate for just a few seconds before I answer him. “Actually, when I dropped her off, Mom insisted she keep her overnight. I hate asking her to do so because she does it so much when I work the evening shift. She was adamant that I live a little. Her words, not mine,” I confess.
He reaches over and gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “So I have you for more than a few hours?” His voice is hopeful.
I bite on my bottom lip and take a deep breath. “I think we should just see how things go.”
With a quick glance in my direction, he gives me his crooked grin. I’m glad I’m sitting because the effects would have surely made my knees weak. “Challenge accepted.”
Shaking my head, I fight my smile. Like I said, charming.
“We’re here,” he says, pulling into a parking lot.
“Where is here?” I ask him. The building is unmarked.
“You’ll see.” He grins. Grabbing his keys, he hops out of the truck and rushes around to open my door. As soon as I’m on solid ground, he laces his fingers through mine and places his phone to his ear with his free hand. “Hey, Larry, yeah, just pulled up. Great, thanks,” he says, ending the call.
“A hint?” I ask. He’s obviously planned this out since he’s let someone know we’ve arrived.
“You’ll see soon enough.” He walks us to a side entrance door and knocks three times. Not a minute later, an older gentleman wearing a uniform, the name Larry on the chest, is opening the door and ushering us in. “Good to see you,” Easton says, holding out his hand for the older man to shake.
“You too, E. Everything’s all set up. Take your time. I’m working on the floors in the locker room,” he tells him.
“Thanks,” Easton replies. “You ready?”
“For?” I ask again.
“Batting cages.” He grins. Again. I swear his grin is so wide and so bright, I could see it from my front porch.
“I’ve never been to the batting cages.”
“Perfect. I can show you.” With my hand still encased in his, he leads us down a hall and through a set of double doors.
“Batting cages?” I ask when I see what’s in front of us.
“Yeah.” He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “I wanted to share a part of who I am with you. Not Easton the major leaguer, but Easton the guy who grew up loving the sport. The guy who spent more time at the batting cages than he did anywhere else. I also thought that if Paisley ended up coming with us, she would have fun too.”
“You were serious?” I ask. I thought he was just being nice saying that P could tag along.
“Of course I was. She’s a part of you, Larissa.”
“I just thought—”
He cuts me off. “You just thought what? That I wanted to sleep with you and this was my way of getting that? I’ve already told you that’s not what this is about. What do I have to do to make you believe me?”
“I’m sorry,” I say immediately. “I shouldn’t have assumed or judged you.” I look around the room and see we’re the only ones here. “Is this place closed?”