Page 37 of Curveball

Where had I seen him before?

He cracked a smile, and then sudden recognition crossed his face. "Walker James?"

I knew for a fact I didn't know the guy, but by the look in his eyes, he must have been a fan. I nodded and smiled. "That's me."

Tall guy immediately shoved his hand in my direction to shake. "I'm a huge fan. I'm Ryan. How's your elbow? That was tough to watch, but I heard you might be back next season? The Aviators need you on the mound, man."

I took his hand and gave a firm handshake. "Thanks, man. Elbow is feeling good, and yeah, that's the hope." I cracked a small smile.

I hated talking about next season; I hated the unknown of it all.

Ryan threw a thumb behind him in the direction of the building. "So, what brings you to Wildflower Interiors? Are you renovating a place?" Realizing he might have been crossing a line, he quickly followed it up with, "Shit, you don't have to tell me that. I don't know why I asked that. I'm nervous and just a big fan." Ryan ran a hand through his hair, clearly embarrassed.

I chuckled. "Nah man, that's okay. I'm just going in to see Farrah." I lifted the tray of coffees in my hand, "I brought her a drink."

"No, shit? How do you know Farrah?" I liked this guy; he seemed harmless enough. But for the life of me I couldn’t figure out where I’d seen him before.

"We're friends." I left it at that. I didn't think Ryan needed to hear the complicated history between Farrah and me.

"No shit? I'm surprised she never mentioned that, since she knows what a big Aviators fan I am." Ryan's brow furrowed at the thought.

Why would she tell him anything?

"How do you know Farrah?" I smiled, trying to ease the bite from my tone.

"We’re working on a project in Forest Park together. I run a contracting business."

Phew, okay, just work friends.

"But we've been going out pretty regularly now."

He was the douchebag from the bar! Goddamnit, now I hated him.

My grip on the drink tray tightened as I tilted my head toward the door. "That's cool. Well, it was nice meeting you, I should take this to her before it gets cold."

Ryan nodded eagerly. "Yeah, for sure. It was great to meet you too, man. I'll see you around."

I hope the fuck not.

I forced a smile at him and made my way into Farrah's office.

I took a moment to take in the space. Every touch, even the most subtle, was all Farrah. I saw her in everything. The soft colors mixed with a bit of bold, edgier steel finishes, and wood accents here and there to warm the space. She’d always been good at mixing colors and finishes that I thought had no business being together. A throat cleared behind me, startling me. "Hey there, can I help you?" I turned, and a tall young woman with hair so dark it was almost black stood in front of me.

"Hey, I'm Walker. I just brought Farrah a drink." I held up the drink tray as if I needed proof.

She smiled. "Oh, okay… let me go grab her. I'm Maddie, by the way."

"Thanks, and nice to meet you, Maddie." I returned her smile and, if I didn't know any better, thought I saw a slight blush form up her neck and onto her cheeks. Maddie quickly scurried off in the direction of wherever Farrah was.

Not even a minute later, long legs, golden waves, and jade eyes rounded the corner and locked onto me. Just the sight of this woman always had a way of brightening my day, like the sun beginning to shine after the darkness from a storm. Farrah tilted her head slightly, a confused look crossing her face. "Walker? What are you doing here?" She tucked a long golden strand behind her ear; she was nervous.

Before I could respond, a mini version of her came barreling around the corner, nearly taking me out at the knees. Tiny Farrah looked up at me with large green eyes, the same as her mother's. "Hello?" It came out as a question.

"Hadley, what did I tell you about running in the office?" Farrah blew out an exasperated breath.

"No run," Hadley responded with a smile.

Farrah pulled on one of her blonde pigtails. "That's right, now apologize to Walker for almost running into him."