Page 45 of Driven to Love

“He didn’t tell you?”

Addison shook her head.

Beth raised one shoulder in a half-shrug. “Well, it’s not like it’s a secret. We just grew apart. We dated in high school and got married right after so we could get housing as he was in the military. I don’t know. I guess I’m just a homebody. I wanted to be home.”

“And he wanted to stay in and travel?” Maybe she was right about him after all.

“No. He left when his initial service obligation was up, but I think by then, we’d both grown up and… apart. He’s a good man.”

Davey stepped up to bat, and Addison held her breath. Come on. Knock it out of the park.

A crack sounded as the bat connected with the ball. Davey took off like a rocket. His foot touched the base seconds before the ball landed in the first baseman’s glove.

“Yay!” Addison jumped up. She scooped up Max, cuddling him to her chest, raising his paw in a high five.

Jillian also jumped up, but she ran straight to Nash and clung to his chest. He froze, arms dangling.

That’s it. Time to step up to the plate. Addison didn’t react, not yet. She set Max on the ground, letting him wander a few feet in front of her.

The next batter hit one out into left field, and Davey rounded past second all the way to be safe at third. Jillian jumped up, and Addison threw her hands up and stretched, pulling the leash taut.

“Uff!” Jillian tripped, landing face down in the grass.

That dang leash… or it could have been Addison’s foot, not that she would tell.

“Oh, are you alright? You really should be more careful at your age.” Addison offered to help her up, but Jillian swatted her hand away.

Beth stifled a snicker.

Nash’s dimples were showing. He had to be biting back his grin.

They all settled in to watch. Next up to bat was Jillian’s son.

The woman cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, “You got this, baby! Smash it.”

The first ball sailed right over the plate. Strike. He got a piece of the second, but it was a foul ball.

The pitcher leaned in and nodded to the catcher.

Davey led off the base. In the blink of an eye, the pitcher pivoted and threw hard and fast to third. Davey dove for the bag. Safe.

Addison released her breath. Her lungs hurt from holding it so long.

Finally, the player pitched. It was high, but Jillian’s son connected. The ball sailed out into center field, inches above the second-baseman’s glove. Davey took off.

All four of the adults jumped to their feet.

“Go. Go. Go.” Addison watched as Davey crossed home plate. “Yes!”

She high-fived Beth and turned to Nash. Before she could blink, he scooped her up in his arms, and his lips were on hers.

What the…? Addison’s feet dangled in midair. She locked her arms around his neck. Not that she needed to for balance. The man held her weight as if she were a feather.

The cheers of the crowd faded as her entire consciousness focused on the feel of his lips…of his body pressed to hers.

The kiss ended as fast as it started, but in that moment, Addison became aware of everything. The press of his hand to her hip. The way his hair smelled of expensive shampoo. The raspy feel of his chin as it brushed over her cheek. And his mouth. She bit back a sigh, thinking about his kiss. Firm, but soft. Closed mouth, but not too short.

Don’t get distracted. He’s still a pretty boy.