Beyond the Bases (Out of Reach 1)

“Aww.” She smiles.

“Then after her game, we ate, and I took P to Mom’s. He asked me to pack a bag and come back, so I did. I stayed there last night.”

“And?” she prompts.

“And it was nice.”

“Nice? Nice is for a neighbor dropping off some cookies at the holidays. Nice is not for spending the night with the first baseman for the Tennessee Blaze. Look, I get it. It’s personal and I know it’s the first time since Steve, but just tell me this. Did he take care of you?”

My face flames. It’s been so long for me that talking about sex, outside of joking about not getting any, is uncommon. “It was amazing. He’s amazing.”

“That’s my girl.” She holds up her hand to give me a high-five. I contemplate leaving her hanging but decide against it and slap my hand against hers. “So, when are you seeing him again?”

“Tonight,” I say, feeling my face turn hot. “He asked me to come over as soon as I get off. I’m picking P up and we’re going to his place for dinner.”

“Don’t forget to pack a bag.” She grins.

“Yeah, he wanted me to. I told him no. I think it’s a little too early for sleepovers. Paisley is already enamored with him.”

“Your pace, Larissa.” She looks at her watch.

I nod, looking at my watch. Finally, it’s time to go home. “I’ll see you later,” I say, already walking toward the computer hanging on the wall to clock out.

Paisley comes running out of the house as soon as I pull into the driveway. “Mommy!”

“Hey, girlie,” I pick her up and swing her around. She’s growing up so fast I won’t be able to do this much longer. “How was your day?”

“So so fun. Gram and I went to the park!” she says excitedly.

“That does sound fun.”

“Hey, sweetheart, how was work?” Mom asks.

“Good. It was a long day. Thanks for watching her.”

“You know I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she tells me. “She was an angel, as always.”

I smile down at Paisley, and I’m just about to comment on her being good when Mom adds, “She seems rather fond of Easton.”

“He’s a nice guy.” I don’t tell her that Paisley isn’t the only one who’s fond of him.

“From the stories I’ve heard, it seems as if he is. When do I get to meet him?”

“Mom, we’re just… friends, I guess? Getting to know each other. We’re not there yet.” I can’t help but think about him calling me his girlfriend. Mom would have a field day if she knew that. I smile to myself. I like having that moment be ours. I want to keep every memory with him to myself. It’s as if I were to share it with the world, he’ll disappear. Maybe this has all been a dream? It sure feels like one. Easton is most definitely a dream come true. He’s everything I could want in a partner, boyfriend, whatever it is I’m supposed to call him.

“He’s good with her?” she questions.

My eyes prick with tears, because he is. He’s incredible with my daughter. “Yeah, he’s good with her. Too good, in fact. I fear if this… whatever it is turns into something, he’s going to spoil her rotten.”

“Nothing wrong with that.”

“Mommy, what are we having for dinner? My belly’s talking to me.”

“It is? What’s it saying?”

“That it wants pizza.”

We don’t eat out a lot. One, it gets expensive and two, I like to make sure she’s getting a balanced diet. I want to tell her that Easton is getting pizza, but I decide to surprise her instead. Let him be the one who tells her. It was his idea after all. I can’t help but let my mind wander to the last four years. Is this what it would have been like? Sharing the parenting responsibilities? My mom is wonderful and has helped me so much, but it’s different.