Page 45 of Forbidden Love

“Want something to drink?” Tyler asked a short while later as he walked into the kitchen. When I followed him, he said, “I can make lemon water.”

“That sounds good.” I pulled out my laptop so we could plan the softball games. “I reserved the fields we went to that first time. There are three fields in that small area, a snack shack, and plenty of parking.”

Tyler sliced a lemon and squeezed its juice into the glasses of water. “You’ve done your research.”

“I have nothing but time lately.” I kept myself busy so I wouldn’t have to think about what I was or wasn’t doing with my life.

When he pushed the glass over to me, I tilted the screen to show him the fliers I’d drafted. “Essentially, we’ll have people register for teams in one of the games. If we get enough participants, we can have three going at the same time. We’ll just have to see.”

“Teachers versus kids, parents versus kids, and police officers versus firefighters,” Sam read from the screen.

“Do you have any other ideas? Or we could do age groups against each other if we have more kids.”

“Have you talked to the police and fire department already?”

I nodded my head. “They do softball games already for fundraisers, so they were quick to say yes. They loved the idea.”

“This is impressive,” Tyler said as he stood next to me, pulling the laptop closer to him. “You did this yourself?”

“I can do a little graphic design. I took some online classes. I’m not an expert, but—”

“I don’t know. These look great. I think if we post them around town and in online forums, we’ll have a lot of participants.”

“Good.” I wanted this to be a successful event. A part of me wanted to prove to my family that I could do this. They hadn’t seen what I’d done at my previous job, and it was important that they saw me as a functioning adult. Sometimes, I thought they’d only ever see me as a teenager.

“I don’t know that we needed to meet. You have everything handled.” There was no censure in his voice.

“We can make any changes you want. I’m used to handling these events on my own with only direction from the guest. For this one, we don’t really have a paying customer.”

“I’d like to be involved too. I don’t want this to be just Fletcher & Sons in name only.”

“Of course. I’m sorry. I just start planning and can’t stop.” I scanned my to-do list, the one that I was continually adding to. “What do you want to be involved in? You’re already helping us build the dugouts and providing supplies at a reduced cost.”

Tyler moved closer so that his arms were braced on the counter next to me and leaned in to look over my notes. He smelled like soap, and there was a hint of aftershave, and I was mesmerized by the way the muscles in his arms flexed as he leaned in. “I’d like to help with the ticket and raffle sales.”

“Really?” I asked, looking up at him and realizing too late that he was a lot closer than I’d originally thought. He could drop his head a few inches and his lips would be on mine.

His forehead wrinkled. “You don’t think I can do it?”

“I didn’t say that.” I wasn’t sure he’d want to do it, and I had the time.

“We could go to local games and put up the flyers, then walk around and ask the spectators if they’d like to come and support the cause.”

I cleared my throat and looked away from the line of his jaw. I needed to focus on why I was here, and it wasn’t to admire Tyler’s body. “That’s a great idea. I’ll get the game schedules for a few of the fields.”

He’s straightened. “Do you think the whole family could come? It would be good for Delaney and Maggie to be involved too.”

I smiled at him. “I love that idea. You’re involving your family with your business.”

“The more I think about it, this is for them too. When they grow up, they should have everything they want and need if they decide to play sports. I was thinking that we should help boys since we played baseball, but that was shortsighted of me. The future generation of Fletchers is girls.”

“I don’t know. Mac and Natalie might have a boy.” But I was lost in the way he’d included Natalie’s daughter, Delaney, in his definition of family. She had a father and a different last name. Legally, Mac couldn’t adopt her, but the family included her as one of them. Family wasn’t just blood or a last name.

“I think it’s important for the girls to help.”

“I think so too.” I could see how important this was for him to be involved in this endeavor, and I respected him more for it. In an effort not to throw my arms around him and press myself against his body, I added the game schedule to my to-do list.

“Is there anything else we can do tonight?” Tyler asked as he refilled his water.

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