Page 181 of Off Season

Even the memories don’t fill the emptiness I’m feeling. I miss Cheetah terribly. The hole in my heart feels so real.

Suddenly, a familiar scent invades my nostrils and a voice whispers in my ear. “Want me to play a firefighter? You’re hot, but when I’m done, I’ll leave you dripping wet.”

I can’t help but smile as I respond, “Can I slide down your pole?”

My man chuckles as he slips into the booth next to me. I immediately wrap my arms around his neck and inhale him. I start sobbing as I mumble into his neck, “How are you here?”

“Reagan felt bad about everything. She sent the company jet for me. I left as soon as our game was over.”

Tears freefall from my eyes. “I’m sorry you weren’t here. It’s my fault.”

He squeezes me tightly. “Don’t say that. I got to see most of the game on the screen in our stadium. That final play was sick. It substantiated all these years of me telling everyone how good you are on your knees.”

I giggle. “How did it look?”

“Like my girl is the only person on the planet who could make that play.”

I pull my head up and smile at him. “Did you see Bailey’s big hit?”

“I did.” He licks his lower lip. “Funny thing. I’ve watched every inning of you playing for this coach. I know the bunt signal. I didn’t see her give it to you.”

I pinch my lips together to hide my smile. “You must have missed it.”

He lifts an eyebrow. He doesn’t believe me.

I shrug. “I wanted Bailey to have this unforgettable moment in front of her three girls. She more than earned the right to be the hero this time around. It was her time to shine.”

“That was a risky move. You’re the best hitter in the world. She may not have come through.”

“Twin intuition. I knew she would get it done.”

He sighs as he cups my cheek. “I love you.”

I bring my forehead to his. “I love you too.”

His lips move over mine, and a sense of calmness and fulfillment runs through my body. It’s like the moment you take a deep breath after you’ve been underwater for a little too long. Damn, I’ve missed him.

Before I know it, our tongues are in each other’s mouths, teeth nipping at each other like we want to swallow the other whole.

Eventually, I break us apart. “Take me to your room. I don’t want today’s memories to be the only thing left inside me tomorrow morning.”

He nods as he stands and pulls my hand to stand with him. As we walk back toward his hotel, arm in arm, I turn to him. “You didn’t ask me to marry you today.”

He smirks as he drops down to one knee, throws his arms in the air, and loudly shouts, “Kam bam, love of my life, want to do the divorce court foreplay and marry me?”

I laugh. “I haven’t heard that one before.” I run my lip through my teeth. “Hmm. Okay. Yes.”

He shrugs, stands, and starts walking again. “Maybe tomorr—”

He stops dead in his tracks and turns to me. “Did you just say yes?”

I look down for a second before looking up at him. “I just…I wish you were there today. I truly wished you were my husband and not my boyfriend today.”

He nods in realization. “It was a unique situation. I don’t think we’ll encounter anything like it again. You know I’m happy the way we are. I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable doing.”

I nod. “I know. I love you for that. You’ve never once pressured me.”

“And I never will. I don’t want this to be an emotional decision. Today was a big day. You’ve worked toward it yourwhole life. We’ll see how you feel tomorrow. I promise to ask again.”

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