“No, Chase. No, that’s not what you say. This is your date.” Pippa shouts into my ear.
My eyes widen as I stare in Pippa’s direction across the park and I mouth,You’ve got to be kidding me. The cameras are discreet for as natural a reality show as possible, but definitely rolling.
“I’m now hoping for Chase Junior.” Brielle’s smile is lumpy, bumpy, and deranged.
My eyes widen in terror. How did she slip past Rhiannon?
Taking Pippa’s cue to be polite, I say, “I imagine you already have your hands full with all those, um, kids.”
“The more the merrier.” Brielle flutters her eyelashes.
I open and close my mouth, not sure how to play this and await instruction.
Brielle continues to badger me about marriage and kids and future plans. Pippa remains quiet in my ear.
An assist. I need an assist.
Sweat beads across my brow. Sure, this might make entertaining television, but this isn’t my life. It can’t be. I’m not opposed to having kids. Not at all, but not with this woman. Where’d they find her? Why didn’t they screen her more carefully?
I make a fuss of my phone vibrating in my pocket, pull it out as if reading a message, and say, “Oh, no. Team emergency.”
“But it’s offseason.” Brielle starts to name each of the players and their known locations.
I shift away from her slightly, hoping for an obvious way out.
“It’ll be you and me and the kids. We’ll move somewhere far away where no one can find you. I mean, bother you.”
The nice guy in me, not wanting to be rude or flunk out of Blancbourg, tries to come up with a better out.
“Listen, Chase. I know this is a lot, but we’re meant to be together. You, me, the kids. I’ve been waiting all this time and know we’re going to have the best marriage.” She discusses her big plans in elaborate detail.
I start to slowly back away. “I’m not so sure about that.”
Fury rises in Brielle’s eyes. “These are your kids and you know it. If you deny it, I’ll bring you to court and prove it.”
“Miss, I’ve never seen you before in my life.”
“I see you every night in my dreams.” She springs toward me at the same time another figure streaks in my direction, throwing herself at me.
For a split second, I fear it’s a rival fan and I’m being rushed by two small but mighty defensive ends. But the scent of sweet rose fills my nose. An unmistakable accent hollers, “He’s mine, all mine,” before Pippa smothers my face with kisses. Then my lips capture hers and she goes silent as our mouths press together in a long-awaited kiss.
I get lost in Pippa’s lips. The lines have blurred. I’m not sure if I’m headed for a touchdown or a disaster, but I’ll take mychances. I’m no longer in a zone. I’m in the zone, and Pippa is here, and I never want to leave.
Everything in my life lately has been a rough order of steamrolled commands, but Pippa is so soft, so gentle, so perfect. Being close opens up all the hatches I’d battened down. The turbulent waters I’ve been sailing finally settle. The long-awaited shore is in sight.
I appreciate this woman for coming to my rescue and love her even more for finally kissing me.
30
PIPPA
Imelt into Chase, his lips, and the kiss. His big hands cup my jaw. His stubble is slightly rough and I don’t mind because his mouth on mine dulls all the ambient noise, along with the static and stress in my mind and body.
Everything glasses over like a pond on a spring day.
Inside, the heart fluffies lift me on feathery clouds and I float through calm waters.
It’s peace. It’s bliss. It’s a place I’ve never been and don’t want to leave.
