“What about after the date?” she asks, waggling her eyebrows at me.
“After was…” I start to say, then sigh wistfully. “It was… amazing. Every time we get together, I don’t think it can get any better. Or hotter. But it does.” Just remembering last night has me fanning my face. It’s just that hot between us.
“Layla freaking Bradshaw! Please tell me you’re going to see him again.”
“That’s the plan.”
“When?”
“Not sure. His team just made the postseason, so his time is going to be very limited.”
“You better not let a man like that get away.”
I nod, agreeing. “Maybe get to work, hmm?” I tease Cora, turning to my computer.
“You deserve this, Layla.”
“I know.” I do deserve a good man. But is Gabe right for me? And do I even want a relationship? Does he?
With plenty of work to do, I push that thought to the back of my mind. Right now, it’s not important because we’re just two adults seeing each other. But I do feel things for Gabe; feelings that I’ve never felt before. But there’s no way I can love him already. It’s too soon.
Gabe: Could I interest you in coming to the game tonight?
Layla: Maybe
Gabe: Maybe?
Layla: What time?
Gabe: 7:05 p.m. I’ll leave tickets for you at the gate. Tell me you’ll be there.
Layla: I’ll be there.
Gabe: Good.
Layla:
“Hey, Cora. Wanna go to a baseball game?”
“I can’t believe he got us seats this close to the field!”
“Neither can I.” We’re five rows up from home plate. I don’t know how he did it, but I’m digging the view. Especially Gabe in his uniform, his pants fitted to his impressive backside, and his snug jersey lovingly hugging his muscular biceps and rock-hard abs. It makes me wish I had a jersey with his name on it. Is that even possible since he’s a manager and not a player?
“Earth to Layla!”
“Huh?”
She nods her head towards the field. “Looks like someone is happy to see you.”
Glancing to the visitor’s dugout, I spot Gabe, in all his baseball glory, dark sunglasses on his face, peering up at me. I don’t want to make it obvious to others around us, so I give him a sexy smile, peering down at him, my eyes also shielded by dark sunglasses. He gives me a smile and mouths “soon,” then turns his attention back to the game. Even though the moment was brief, his look of sheer hunger speaks volumes. I’m glad I came tonight; it was nice to see Gabe again and watch him do what he does best—be a leader on and off the field.
Gabe
I offered Layla tickets to tonight’s game on a whim and I didn’t know if she’d actually accept. But when she did, it made me happy knowing I’d get to see her one last time during this particular trip to Chicago. I don’t know when I’ll be able to see her again, as the team clinched a wildcard spot with tonight’s win. That means me, along with the team, will travel after the game instead of traveling in the morning. While I’m grateful to make the postseason with my team (which also helps keep my job), my heart also aches not knowing when I get to see her again.
CHAPTER 9
GABE
