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“Where have you been?” Hudson asks as I walk into the house.
I squat down as the pup runs toward me and answer, “You’re a smart boy; don’t ask stupid questions.”
“Wouldn’t dare. You tell her the new name?”
“I did. She seems to like it better than Muffy.”
“Muffy’s a great name.” He grins. “But I did FaceTime Jillian and Mom. They think Grandma would be honored that she has her middle name.”
“Yeah.” I walk over to the sink and wash my hands, even though I’d rather not. “This doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. What were you thinking, bringing me a puppy when I’m never even home?”
I head to the fridge and grab a bottle of water.
“I was thinking I’m gonna hang out here until my training camp starts. By then, we’ll have found a dog walker, or doggy daycare, or a hot neighbor who’d love to feed little Eleanor bones … when she’s not getting yours, like when you’re out of town.”
“I think that’s a little presumptuous.” I sit down on the couch and pat my lap.
“Presumptuous? She’s so hot for you. Even her girls made an excuse to leave you two alone. She know you’re a professional baseball player yet?”
“Do you really think that came up in a conversation?”
“It’s a great pickup line, man.” He smirks.
“I’m not trying to pick her up.” Although, I physically did just that. “I don’t have time for a relationship, and you know that.”
But by Tuesday, I’ll know if I might have unwittingly found a perfect friends-with-benefits situation with my sexy neighbor. The fact that it was her idea is perfect.
“Yeah, I hear that, not that I’ve ever really looked for a relationship, but you know if the perfect girl came along, I’m not sure I would be opposed.”
I pick up Eleanor and pet her while I look at him, narrowing my eyes. “What aren’t you telling me? Did you find someone in Blue Valley?”
“Trust me; there’s nothing perfect in Blue Valley, aside from my team.”
“Owners are pretty awesome; your house is fucking amazing.”
When he showed up here, I knew something was up, but neither one of us has ever been all up into each other’s personal life—until now, of course. Not that he’s said shit, but it does open a door.
“Yeah, I love living on the lake. Thinking about buying a boat. Lake life is a big deal in Central New York. Gonna be there for a while, so might as well lean into it.” He yawns then stands. “Going to head to bed. You’re good with Eleanor?”
I look down at my lap, and she’s already asleep. “Yeah, I think we’ll be all right.”
“You have to head into the stadium tomorrow?”
“I’m heading there at eleven to get a workout in. Team practice at one o’clock. Should be back no later than four.”
“Sweet. Do you wanna grill out?”
“Hudson, I haven’t even bought a grill yet.”
“Perfect. Elle and I will head to one of the home improvement stores that allows you to bring your dog and grab a grill.”
“Don’t go batshit crazy. I want to pick out something that makes sense, not something that looks cool.”
He doesn’t even try to argue the fact that he spends money like it grows on fucking trees now. “Thinking about grabbing a cheap charcoal grill, like we used to have in Virginia.”
I laugh. “Call Mom and ask her for the recipe for the rub she used to make that turned London broil into a porterhouse.”
