“Living the dream, how about you?” she turns it back on me.
“Nothing to report,” I lie.
She gives me the “I know you’re full of shit” look and crosses her arms over her chest. “Try again.”
“Fine, we’ve been hanging out. He calls and texts a lot. He went to P’s game yesterday.”
“Did he now?” She smirks. “I’m guessing he was the main attraction?”
“The parents, both moms and dads, were falling all over themselves to meet him, to talk to him. The kids were awestruck….” I trail off thinking about it.
“What are you not telling me?”
“Nothing, he was great. When he was asked for an autograph, he told them he was with his family and to call the main office and he would get it for them, but not then.”
“So now you’re his family?” Her smile is so big I think I can actually hear it, the happiness in the sound of her voice.
“It was just a way for him to get out of signing autographs. We would have been there all night.”
She studies me a few minutes, and I try not to squirm under her gaze. “What else?”
“Nothing, we hung out at his place beforehand.”
“Damn, Larissa, it’s like pulling teeth to get any information out of you. What gives?”
“I just… I don’t want to jinx it. I really like him, and Paisley, I think she’s already getting attached to him too. It’s all happening so fast.”
“You’re the only one who can judge how fast or slow whatever it is you two have goes. If it feels right, it feels right. P is a strong little girl. She can handle it. You can’t shelter her from getting hurt her entire life.”
“I know that. I do, and I’m letting him in. It just seems like it’s been a whirlwind. He calls us ‘his girls.’” I try to hide my smile, but it’s pointless.
“Spill.” She narrows her eyes at me as she laughs.
“Fine, we went to his place and swam, then took a nap, went to P’s game, then I took P to Mom’s, went back to his place and stayed the night.”
“Who took a nap?” she asks.
“We all did.”
“Where?”
“His bed.”
“Larissa!” she says, exasperated.
“The three of us lay down on his monster of a bed. Paisley between us and took a nap with her before her game.”
“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.