Page 15 of Love in the Outfield

“Yeah. If that works for you?” He raises thick dark brows that crown his gorgeous midnight-blue eyes and when we lock eyes over my coffee cup, my belly swoops.

“I suppose we can meet at the playground up the road from Mama’s house.”

“I could pick you both up.”

“No,” I say sounding panicked. “I think we should meet there. Plus, your fancy car is hardly going to fit a car seat.”

“Wrong again. I already checked into it. I ordered a Porsche car seat. Top of the line in safety, babe.”

My jaw drops and he laughs. “Don’t look so shocked. I may be new at fatherhood but I do have a niece and nephew.”

“Um… well that’s sweet that you thought of it but I don’t want you racing around with our child in the back.”

His voice thick with emotion he says, “Our child. I can’t wrap my mind around it. I have a son.”

I fight down my panic. That boyish vulnerability is pulling at my heartstrings. I’m still insanely attracted to him but who wouldn’t be? Especially when he’s being so open and sweet. I have to keep in the forefront of my brain that this is the same guy who abandoned me without a second thought. I’ll just bet he’s got beautiful women lined up all the way from San Diego to Kentucky. Which is none of my business.

“What’s he like?” he asks, eyes dancing with excitement. His eagerness makes me feel like a horrible person. Who am I to steal this joy from him? He’s missed so much already. I feel terrible. I’m sorry for him. But I can’t let my guard down. Yes, we can co-parent but that’s it.

“He’s wonderful, incredible, brilliant, funny, stubborn, cuddly, smells like a little bit of heaven… should I go on?” I ask, laughing.

“Sounds like his mom,” he says, his eyes crinkling like they do when he smiles.

There’s an awkward silence and I’m relieved to see our food arrive.

I watch surreptitiously as he tucks into his food like he’s half-starved. He always was a good eater. I pick at my fruit and French toast. It’s hard to eat when my stomach is tied up in knots. He looks up suddenly and catches me staring and his eyes practically scorch me.

He wipes his mouth with his napkin and grins. “Do I look like a starving man?”

I bite my lip on a smile. He is just too… too… too everything, dammit. Too beautiful, too charming, too sweet. Ugg!

“What are you thinking?” he asks.

“I’m thinking you are a snake charmer and I’ll be doing myself a favor to remember that.” The look of hurt surprises me.

“I suppose I deserve that. I haven’t given you much of a reason to trust me. But Georgia, I promise you, I intend to earn it.”

“All I need to know is that my baby will be safe and well cared for when you eventually, in sixteen years or so, get to take him on your own.”

He sputters. “You mean I have to wait sixteen years to have a one-on-one with my son? Well, Georgia Mae, that’s leading me to believe you must want to spend an awful lot of time together.”

I roll my eyes. “Dream on. I’m not one of your cleat chasers.”

He shields his eyes with his hand, peering out the window as if looking for something. “Those pesky bench babes must be hiding in the bushes out there. It’s getting to be a nuisance.”

I kick him under the table. “Ha ha. You know what I mean.”

His expression turns serious. “Back to the plan. What are the ground rules for Monday?” he asks.

“No rules. Be yourself. He’s a very social little guy. He’ll probably take to you right away.”

“I hope so. I’m having nightmares that he’ll be scared of me.”

“We’ll be at the playground. He’ll be happy as a pig in mud.”

“You’ll help me, right?” The emotion behind the softly spoken words touches me. Suddenly I realize I’m the one in control and how overwhelming this must be for him.

I reach across and touch his forearm. “Of course I will. I want this for Auggie. He deserves the love of his father. I know you’ll be a good dad. I will do everything I can to make this go well. I’ve thought a lot about this, and I’m going to tell him that you’re his daddy.”

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