Beyond the Bases (Out of Reach 1)

Larissa: Where should we meet?

Me: I can come and pick you up. This is a date.

Larissa: I would rather meet you.

I always feel as though I’m crashing into a wall with her. They say nothing worth having comes easy; this is a true testament of that.

Me: How about your work? Can you park there?

Larissa: Yeah, see you then.

I hate that I’m not picking her up, but at this stage in the game, I have to pick and choose my battles. In the grand scheme of things, I’ve won because she agreed to go out with me. Doesn’t matter if it’s day or night; I still get to spend time with her.

Now, to plan what we’re going to do. I’ve not really dated much, so this is a whole new ball game for me. No pun intended. I understand she’s a widow and that she’s doing all of this on her own, I do. However, what she doesn’t understand is that I want the chance to get to know her better, to get to know them. Maybe I’m the man who can help her heal? Maybe I’m the man who can be a father figure to Paisley? I’ve been where they are. I know it’s scary as hell. I watched my mom live it. I also watched her give my now father a chance, and our lives are better because of it. Pulling up the search engine on my phone, I type in day date ideas. Desperate times and all that. I don’t know if I’ll have another chance with her. Up to this point, she’s made it difficult. I need to make this date unforgettable.

I thought about telling Mom I had to work a few hours, but decided against it. I knew as soon as I asked her to watch Paisley so I could go on a day date with none other than Tennessee’s most eligible bachelor, according to Google. I admit I’ve done some research. Her grin would be wide and permanent on her face. She’s always telling me to go out more, to date, and do things for myself. I always give her the same answer: No one has sparked my interest, and that she and Paisley, well, and Chloe are all the social life I need.

I’ve been on a few dates since Steven passed, but they’re usually double dates with Chloe that never lead to more than dinner and a few drinks.

Maybe I’m broken?

“Go, have fun. No need to rush back,” Mom says with Paisley on her hip. “P and I are going to the park, and then I thought we’d bake a cake.”

“Yay!” Paisley throws her little arms in the air and cheers.

“I’ll be here by five,” I say again.

She playfully rolls her eyes. “Well, if things change, don’t worry about us. In fact, I was hoping for a sleepover.”

“Can I Momma, please, please?” Paisley begs.

“Mom, you keep her so much.”

“Of course, I do. That’s what grandmothers are for. Go, we’ve got this. You have fun, live a little. Take all the time you need. I’ll see you tomorrow morning for breakfast.”

“I have to be at work at ten.”

“Then you better get up and get moving, lazy bones,” she laughs, and Paisley mimics her, throwing her head back in laughter. “I’ll have pancakes and bacon ready at nine.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I lean in and give them both a hug, kissing P on the cheek. “You be good for Gram.”

“Mommy, I’m always good,” she says dramatically.

My baby girl is four going on fourteen. “You girls behave,” I say with a final wave as I rush out the door. The entire drive to The Vineyard, I try not to think about today, about this date I’ve agreed to. He’s so damn hard to keep resisting.

Pulling into the lot, I see him in his truck. He hops out and rushes to my door, opening it for me. “Hey, Ris.” He leans in and kisses my cheek.

“Hi,” I say awkwardly. I feel like a giddy teenager when I’m with him. I need to get that in check. I’m a grown woman, a mother. He’s just another guy. I need to not let his job, his fame, intimidate me.

“You ready?” he asks.

“Sure, what are we doing?”

“I thought about today a lot and decided I wanted to share something that I love with you.”

“Oh,” I say, because what do you say to that? Easton Monroe is not at all what I expected. He continues to surprise me.

“Yeah, then I thought we could grab a bite to eat. I know you need to be back by five, so I hope I have it all planned out okay.”