Page 84 of Wild Abandon

“Who is it?”

“Housekeeping!” I shout.

Shortly afterward, I hear the door unlock. I’m about to make a crude remark about fluffing, but when the door opens, I go slack-jawed and forget what it was I was about to say.

Nate has washboard abs.

Wearing a white towel around his waist and in the middle of brushing his teeth, he holds the door open. “Yes, the day I see you scrub toilets is the day I stop drinking.”

He walks into the bathroom to rinse, and I get my bearings. Toilets. Cleaning. Hell freezing.

“Well, you’re gonna go thirsty, my friend. You should see what I did to the bathroom at the ranch. That thing sparkles now.” I can’t believe I’m boasting about a toilet bowl. It’s his abs. They’re distracting.

Nate comes out, and I do my best to keep my eyes looking north.

“Coffee?” I hold up the tray.

He grabs the tray and the small white bag. I brought him a muffin as well.

“Breakfast in bed?” He winks at me and stuffs the muffin into his mouth with his fist.

Charming.

“I figured you’d be in rough shape this morning and in need of sustenance.”

He grabs boxers and slides them on under his towel. “I’ve been up for a few. Went for a run. I was letting you sleep in. Thought you’d be the one with the hangover.”

He has no idea I’m way too excited to be hungover. “Get dressed. I have a surprise for you.” I reach into the bag and throw a shirt at him.

With one brow raised, he looks at me in confusion and unravels the San Francisco Giants shirt I just bought.

“Today, we are going to a Giants game,” I beam.

He is looking back at me, an unusual expression on his face. He almost looks offended at the idea of going to the game.

“You are going to a baseball game?” he asks.

I reach into the bag and take out the lightweight Giants jacket I got myself. I slide it on and then fix my new baseball cap onto my head, sliding my ponytail through the back.

“Go, Giants!” I cheer.

Nate closes his eyes for a beat, and when he opens them, he also lets out a crazy wide smile. “That is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Wait until you see my foam finger. You’re gonna go nuts!” I say.

He laughs.

And then he laughs even louder when I produce the actual foam finger. Hey, try new things and all, right?

“You can show me the stadium,” I say.

If I didn’t know better, I would think Nate was looking at me like a man in love. It’s wonder and awe and everything you want a man to look at you with.

I know better though. He’s in love with the jacket.

“I’ve never been to the stadium before.” His words are tentative.

“Huh?” Yeah, that’s all I have to say.