Page 57 of The Double Play

The profile of her face against the night sky is breathtaking. She turns her head to look at me, a shy smile tugging at her lips when she catches me staring. Everything about her is inviting me in.

“Do you come out here often?” she asks, then cringes. “That sounded like a cheesy pick-up line when Isodid not mean for it to.”

My mouth hitches up. “I used to. I haven’t in a little while.”

“Why not?” she asks, curiosity shining in her gaze.

This is the part I’ve been unsure about. The opening up. I know that if I want something with Hazel, there’s no way around it, but that doesn’t mean my chest doesn’t tighten at the thought of sharing personal things. It’s not like I bared my soul often with Shelby–she didn’t seem to care enough to pry–but what I did share felt like a betrayal of trust at the end of our marriage.

As I stare into Hazel’s kind eyes, though, I know deep down she wouldn’t do the same. She’d sooner hurt herself than hurt someone she cares about. And though it’s inexplicable, I think I’m one of those people.

“I haven’t felt as much of a need to.” I look back up at the stars. It’s easier to share this way. “I used to come out here to escape when things got rough after Shelby left.”

Just saying her name feels like swallowing glass. The syllables taint the air, souring the sweet magnolia breeze.

“I’m sorry, Emmett, I know today was hard.”

My brow furrows. I turn my face toward her again. She’s looking down at her lap, toying with a string on the blanket.

“No, that’s not why I came out here tonight.”

She looks at me, worry lining her expression. “It isn’t?”

I give her a soft smile and hold out my hand. She takes it and all thoughts of Shelby and the past disappear.This. This is what it’s supposed to be like. Nothing to prove. I can justbe.

“I asked you out here because I wanted to change the memories associated with this spot…and because I couldn’t wait until morning to see you again.”

I run my thumb over the back of her hand. A smile spreads across her face.

“I’m glad you asked me out here. I wanted a chance to talk to you alone, but after dinner it never came.”

“Yeah, a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old in the same house don’t make for much alone time,” I say and she laughs. The sound fills the yard. It’s as if everything brightens, even the moonlight. As if she were the sun it’s reflecting.

“No, they don’t.”

She looks down again. I wait patiently for her to find the words she wants to say.

“Earlier at my apartment, you said you liked me,” she begins.

“I did, and I meant it.”

“And at the hospital, you hugged me. You called meyourbrave girl.” Her blush deepens a shade. “Then after that, Wildflower.”

I continue rubbing circles on her hand, waiting for her to finish her thoughts.

“You invited me and Raven here. You fed me…you kissed me.” Her head lifts. Insecurity mixed with vulnerability shines in her eyes. “I don’t want to make any presumptions–” she cuts herself off.

“Presume as much as you’d like,” I tell her, enjoying the way her eyes light with surprise. “As long as you’re thinking that I care for you and have feelings for you.”

“I feel the same way. I have feelings for you too.” She sits up a little taller. “I know you have June to think about. I don’t want to push anything. I-I’m happy taking things slow.”

I smile at her nervous rambling. “Do you really think I’m worried about June when it comes to you? She adores you. The only concern I have is if I ruin this and you leave. She’ll never forgive me.” I attempt to keep my tone light, but I must fail because Hazel squeezes my hand.

“I don’t think you could ruin this, Emmett.”

“I almost did before it even started. I was terrible to you after New York. But the media–I hate them. I couldn’t bear the thought of June dealing with the backlash at school.”

She grimaces. “I don’t know that that’s going to go away. I’m her nanny. That’s going to make for some creative headlines.”

---