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“I got you.” Melissa nodded. “TJ, get the door and get rid of any unwanted guests.”
“Yes,honey.”
Melissa rolled her eyes and Natalie chuckled. At least TJ would take care of it.
20
He hopedthis was the right place. The apartment building was huge, and he’d had to bribe the doorman with an autograph to make it past the lobby. He was both grateful it had worked and annoyed that Natalie’s building didn’t have better security.
“Are they not home?” Chris asked, his lower lip poking out.
Declan raised his hand to knock again. He wasn’t quite ready to give up.
His hand hovered in midair when the door swung open. A guy who looked uncannily like Natalie stared back with his mouth hanging open.
“Is he going to be weird like the guy downstairs was?” His son sighed, shifting on his feet. Chris still hadn’t gotten used to the way people treated Declan when they recognized him.
“Bud.” Declan gritted his teeth. Not the impression he wanted to make with Natalie’s family. “Um, is Nat here?”
The blond guy blinked once and then hollered, “Nat, care to tell me why the Metros’ third baseman is at your front door?”
Oh boy.
Natalie appeared then, wide-eyed and gorgeous, and Declan couldn’t help but smile. At the sight of her, a piece that had been missing clicked into place in the center of his chest.
Yeah, he was a total goner for this woman.
“Natalie,” her brother asked again. “Why isDeclan Loweryat your door?”
“I told you the guy I stayed with played sports ball, TJ.” She rolled her eyes.
Declan had to smile at how she brushed off his fame like it didn’t matter to her. Probably because it didn’t. The way she smiled at him had nothing to do with baseball and everything to do with him. And it felt fucking good.
“I should have known to ask more questions when you said sports ball.” TJ huffed. “He just plays sports ball. That’s all. Who cares if he’s the best batter currently playing baseball.”
A woman approached then, sending TJ a glare. “Stop harassing your sister.” The redhead turned her attention to Declan and stuck out her hand. “Hi, I’m Melissa. Please ignore my husband.” After shaking Declan’s hand, Melissa bent down. “You must be Chris. I’ve heardallabout you. Want to come in? Addy is watchingThe Grinch.”
“That’s my favorite movie! And guess what? We brought Natalie lemon cake.” Chris bounced up and down.
Declan cringed and stepped into Natalie’s apartment behind his son. Chris followed Melissa and TJ to the back of the apartment, and the second they were gone, Natalie turned to him, her big brown eyes full of questions.
“We tried to make your cake. But I wouldn’t eat it.”
She cocked her head to the side but stayed silent.
“I have no idea what voodoo you use with Chris to keep the eggshells out, but this cake has no magic, just a shit ton of egg crunch.” Declan rubbed his beard when Natalie took the cellophane-wrapped cake.
“That’s okay. It’s the thought that counts.” She set it on the small table in the foyer and turned back to him.
His heart skipped.
During the four hours it took to drive from the cabin back to New York City, Declan worked on what he’d say to Natalie. But now, as he stood here, all the words fled.
“I—”
“What—”
They started simultaneously.
