“Turns out, we were wrong,” Dad interjects, then laughs. “We got double what we were told it was valued at two years ago. Don’t worry about us, son, we’ve got more money than we know what to do with. We’ve already put a down payment on an apartment closer to the city.”
“And I finally convinced your dad to buy one of those fancy camper vans so we can tour the continent,” Mom pipes in. “See you play in all those cities we’ve never been to. Oh, we could even come south for spring training next year, so Lark and the baby have somewhere to stay.”
“That’s a lovely idea, Edith,” Lark says, raising her eyebrows at me. I finally sink down onto the couch and she takes my hand, giving it a squeeze. “We’re both thrilled for you. It’s just a bit of a shock, I think. But a good one, truly.”
I clear my throat. “Yeah, it’s great news. Sorry, you just took me by surprise, you know? I had this whole plan to convince you to retire next year once I secured my contract.”
“Oh, Daniel,” Mom murmurs. “Honey, it was never your job to take care of us like that.”
“I know, but I wanted to. I wanted you to know you were taken care of, and that you didn’t have to work so hard all the time.”
There’s a beat of silence before my Dad’s voice, gruff and emotional, comes down the line. “You’re a good man, Dan. I’m proud of you. And thank you. But now you can focus on your family and let us be the doting grandparents.”
Lark leans against my arm, and I sigh into the top of her head. A weight lifts from my shoulders. A weight I expected to carry for many more months.
We finish up the conversation with my parents when myphone beeps with the notification that our food has arrived. After saying goodbye, I pop downstairs to get it while Lark sets up for dinner.
When I get back to the apartment, she meets me at the door, taking the bag to set it down, then wrapping her arms around my neck.
“You’re still going to get an amazing contract at the end of the season. Because you are an amazing player and an even more amazing man. I love you, you know.”
I let my head rest on hers, breathing in the sweet smell of her shampoo. There’s nowhere on this earth that makes me happier or feel more at peace than right here in her arms.
She moves, tilting her head up to look at me. Love and mischief dance in her eyes. “We could always reheat dinner.”
I raise my eyebrows quizzically. “Reheat? Why would we reheat?”
In response, her hands travel down my body to my belt buckle, which she slowly slides open. “Because I’d like an appetizer.”
My grin tells her I knew exactly what she was getting at as I scoop her into my arms and walk to the bedroom.
“Only if I get to eat first.”
Chapter forty-four
Lark
Lark
“Yes!” The dugout erupts in cheers as Kai throws another perfect strike into Dan’s glove. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much, watching the two of them dominate the field. As our opponent switches batters, I turn back to the player who is currently on the bench, icing his shoulder.
“How’s it feeling, Ben?”
He grimaces, then slowly rotates it. “Better. Now it’s just my pride that’s injured.”
“You’re allowed to fumble a catch now and then.” I give him a sympathetic smile, hoping he doesn’t get too down on himself. He’s got a long career ahead, and there will be plenty of catches to make — and miss.
“Thanks, Lark.” He stands up, handing me the ice pack. “I’m gonna get warmed up.” He pauses and then frowns. “If I’m cleared?”
I nod and his frown turns into an expressionof relief.
“Great.”
“We’ll keep an eye on him,” Mattias says, coming up beside me. “But I’m betting it’s just a bruise.”
“Agreed. He had full range, just point tenderness. I think he’ll be fine.”
Together we watch the game play, wincing when the batter hits a beauty of a line drive off Kai’s pitch. But our fielders are on it, with Rhett snatching up the ball and tossing it to Ronan at first for an easy out.
