I’m shaking my head as my thumbs fly over my phone, typing out a reply. His cheekiness is adorably endearing, and as risky as it may be to start something with him, I can’t deny the happiness I’ve felt ever since dinner the other night. Ronan didn’t stay after dropping me off but made me weak in the knees with a goodnight kiss at my door that went on and on until we both lost track of time. If my neighbour hadn’t been headed home from their own night out and interrupted us, who knows how long we would have stood in my doorway, making out like teenagers.
WILLOW: I said nothing…
RONAN: You didn’t have to. I know what you’re thinking.
WILLOW: Really? What am I thinking right now?
RONAN: Let’s see… You’re thinking about what kind of pizza you want me to order for dinner tonight. Pey and I are partial to ham and pineapple, but will eat pepperoni if we have to.
WILLOW: Good thing I love ham and pineapple.
RONAN: So you’re coming? Peyton will be thrilled. See you later, beautiful.
I drop my phone down on my desk, and after quickly looking around to make sure no one can see me, do a little wiggle of excitement. Something about this man makes me giddy like a girl whose crush has finally asked her to prom.
There’s not a chance of me being productive any longer. I shut down my computer, grab my purse out of my desk drawer, and head for the elevator.
“Willow, can you come here?”
It’s a good thing no one can see me cringe at Lydia’s shrill call. Turning around slowly, I compose my features. “Actually, I’m just heading home for the day.”
From her office doorway, she glances up from her phone. “Well, I need to discuss the content plan for Coaches Corner on the blog. I’m not so sure these questions will interest our fans.” She looks at me expectantly, and I realize just how much I’ve enabled her behaviour from years of simply giving in and doing her bidding with little to no boundaries. It might be too little, too late, but goddamn it, I don’t want to stay here and deal with her when I’ve got a wonderful man and his adorable little girl waiting for me.
“Sorry, Lydia, that will have to wait. I have an appointment.” The white lie falls off my tongue, and I’m not immune to the fact that with Ronan and I finally giving in to our feelings for each other, more lies are in my future.
Her sound of discontent almost has me wavering in my decision. After all, I still need to stay on her good side until they announce her replacement — which, hopefully, is me.
Her response comes as a surprise. In a gruff voice, her gaze once again on her phone, she says, “Understood. But I expect to see you in my office first thing tomorrow, Willow.”
I muster up a smile and a nod of acknowledgment. “Got it. But for what it’s worth, the questions were all generated from a poll of our existing fans via email marketing. This is what they’ve said they want to know.”
With that final word, I turn and press the elevator call button, praying it comes quickly. The doors open almost instantly and I step inside, breathing a sigh of relief when Lydia doesn’t try to hold me up any longer.
Less than an hour after leaving the stadium, I’m standing on Ronan’s front step, wringing my hands together. My earlier excitement has faded into nerves. It’s one thing to go out on a private, luxurious date with the man, it’s another to visit his home and spend the evening with him and his daughter. This feels big. Monumental. Bigger than us spending an entire night together, even, something we still have yet to do.
I’m raising my hand to press the doorbell when the door swings open, and Ronan leans against the doorframe, lips curved up in a knowing smile. I can’t help it, my eyes drop to his bare feet, sweep up the grey joggers that hug his muscular legs to the T-shirt that looks so soft and comfy, and finally land on his relaxed, happy face. This is Ronan in his element, possibly as much so as when he’s on the baseball diamond.
“Were you planning on coming inside or just spending the evening on my front step?”
I let out a little huff. “I was about to ring the bell.”
He steps forward, swiftly kissing me on the lips. “Good. Because Peyton would be really disappointed if you didn’t come inside.”
Vulnerability bleeds through as I look up at him. “Only Peyton?”
Ronan grabs my hand and lifts it to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. “She’d be disappointed. I’d be devastated.”
Why I needed that last little piece of confirmation he wants me here, I don’t know. I’ve never been the insecure type, but maybe it’s because I recognize just how big of a deal this is — him inviting me into his home to spend time with him and his daughter. Maybe it’s because, deep down, I know this relationship is already different from any other I’ve been in.
Keeping my hand in his, Ronan takes a single step back into his house. He doesn’t pull me with him, instead letting the space between us grow, giving me the power. I can follow or not.
I step inside.
“Willow! You’re here!”
Peyton’s excited shriek hits me the second Ronan closes the door behind me. His hand trails over my lower back, and I feel the whisper of his lips on the back of my head as he walks past, into the kitchen, just in time for Peyton to come running toward me from the same direction. This time, I’m ready for her, dropping into a crouch.
“Finish line!” she yells as she flings herself into my arms, and there’s no hiding my massive smile. This girl is pure joy and sunshine wrapped up in an adorable package. Her energy and excitement is infectious, especially when it’s all directed at me.
