Page 86 of Stolen Bases

“It’s always complicated.”

Truer words have never been spoken. My sister-in-law is no stranger to enduring heartbreak and unimaginable loss.

“Is it complicated when you’re together?”

I smile and shake my head, my shoulders relaxing. “No. She’s all I think about. When I’m with her, everything is simple. Right.”

“Aww, Cam. I’m so happy for you.”

“It’s not that easy, Ry. Being with her, out of our bubble, could very well set our world on fire. I’m not sure if she wants us to take the next step. When we are together, it’s great. But sneaking around? I fucking hate it.”

Rylann tilts her head with a pitying smile.

“Ugh. Don’t look at me like that. I sound like a pathetic tool.”

“No, you don’t. You sound like you want more from your relationship with her. Like you might love her?” When I don’t confirm or deny, she grins. “Tell her how you feel. Honesty always wins out.”

“Yeah.” My head’s all fucked up trying to figure out how I feel about Talia. How do I know if it’s really love? Does she want more?

“I know it’s scary to be vulnerable, but if you hold back, there is a bigger chance you can lose out on being with her anyway. I held back, and I spent a lot of time without Jace. Don’t do that. Take the risk. And when all else fails, use that Miller charm to win her over.”

Rylann is right about one thing. If I don’t talk to Talia about where I’m at, I run a bigger risk of losing her before we have a chance to figure out what we are to each other. My hope is that when I see her, I’ll just know.

“Thanks, sis. I will.”

“Anytime, bruh.” She scrunches her nose in disgust as I bark a laugh. “I can’t pull that off, can I?”

“Not at all.”

I adjust the candles and refold the napkins for the hundredth time. It’s been a month since Talia and I have been in the same room, and I’m nervous as hell. My conversations with Rylann, Mason, and Eli didn’t help, and now I’m overthinking everything.

Wiping my sweaty palm down my thighs, I take another look at the table set for two on the patio by the pool. I’ve spent the day ensuring everything is perfect for tonight—for her—from the meal to the twinkling lights under the deck.

Not too shabby for a guy who’s never planned an at-home dinner date before.

I wasn’t kidding when I told her I missed her. We talk and text, even video chat, but it’s not the same. She’s coming to my home. Women don’t come here.

Talia is different. She’s not just some woman. She’sthewoman. The one who’s constantly on my brain. She’s my last thought before I fall asleep and my first when I wake up every morning. If my head isn’t on baseball, it’s on her. Her smile. The sweet, peachy scent of her skin. How she moans my name when she comes. The feel of her wet mouth wrapped around my cock.

My dick twitches behind my zipper as the front gate alarm buzzes on my phone with an alert.

She’s here.

With a deep breath, I will my cock to deflate before I open the gate from the app and make my way through the house to the front door. My heart pounds like a bass drum in my chest as I lean against the frame and watch the driver exit the car.

An older gentleman with more white than black hair, dressed in a black suit, walks around to the rear passenger door and opens it. White sneakers come into view, then a pair of tan legs, and finally the sexy pixie herself.

My mouth waters at the sight of her. She’s wearing a soft-pink summer dress that hits her mid-thigh and accentuates her perky tits perfectly. She has woven her raven hair into an intricate braid that I can’t wait to wrap my hand around.

Fuck, she’s gorgeous.

My breath stalls in my chest as her steel-gray eyes meet mine. A slow grin spreads across her face. Electricity blasts me in the chest, spreading through my veins and bringing me to life.

Ungluing my feet from the floor, I rush to her, wrapping my arms around her waist, and lift her up, pulling her tight. Her arms and legs circle my body as she hugs me back. I bury my face in her neck and breathe in her sweet scent.

“You’re here,” I mumble.

“I’m here.” She pecks my cheek.

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