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Natalie chuckled. “You go first.”
Declan blew out a breath. “When you left yesterday…Watching you drive away.” He shook his head. “Ihatedit. I know I said I couldn’t do more than a week. And I’m going be honest, I fully expect Lauren to try to make life hell. I know it’s not fair to ask you to put up with her, but I’m doing it anyway. Because I want you to teach me your magic cooking tricks for Chris. And I want to watch you read. I want you dancing in my kitchen and singing stupid songs into a spatula. I need you in my life because somehow, without even trying, you make every day fun and exciting.”
Her eyes widened, and the hint of a smile appeared on her face.
“I’m so fucking glad you smashed into my gate when I tried to kick you out of my house, because spending this week with you opened my eyes to what a partner should be. A friend, a confidant, a playmate. You’re all that and more. You make me smile and turn me on like no one I’ve ever met before. So I’m asking—do life with me, Nat. It’s not going to be perfect, but I really want to try.”
“I don’t need perfect, Declan. Just you.” She stepped forward.
Now that she was so close, he had to touch her. Couldn’t stop his hand from cupping her jaw.
“Want to stay for Christmas dinner?”
“Yes. Very much. But first I’m going to kiss you.”
He didn’t give Natalie a chance to respond before he angled in and crushed his lips to hers.
She pulled away sooner than Declan wanted, but the smile she shot him settled firmly in his chest. And when she started to turn, he stopped her.
“I’ve missed you, Goldilocks.”
Natalie’s mouth twitched at the reminder of their crazy week together just as Melissa piped up from behind her.
“Wait, likeGoldilocks and the Three Bears?”
Natalie’s eyes sparkled. “More like Goldilocks and the Grumpy Bear.”
EPILOGUE
Declan pulledhis T-shirt over his head and ran a hand through his wet hair. He glanced around at his teammates. Corey, the team’s starting pitcher, fist bumped Tim, the catcher, who took over answering the reporters’ questions about the Metros’ win.
“Great game,” Quinn said, stepping up to the locker next to Declan’s. “You nailed that ball in the seventh—those two RBIs locked the game.”
Declan shrugged. “Not letting up a hit the last two innings didn’t hurt either, bro.” Quinn, the best relief pitcher the Metros had on the roaster, closed out the opening day game strong.
Quinn barked out a laugh. “That diving catch to stop the line drive up the third baseline was the reason I closed out strong. Showing off for your girl?”
Declan smirked. Yeah, Nat was here, but she didn’t give a flying fuck about a diving catch. He could have the worst game of his career, and Nat would tell him how amazing he was and how much she loved his ass in baseball pants. Then she, Chris, and Addy would talk him into playing a board game, and no one would talk baseball.
It was all he ever wanted.
Quinn scanned the locker room before raising a brow at Declan. “Where’s Chris? He’s usually down here after a game.”
“He’s in the family suite with Addy and Natalie. Willow and the girls here too?” Declan asked about Quinn’s family as he hiked his bag over his shoulder.
Quinn nodded.
“See you up there.” Declan headed out of the locker room, letting the door slam behind him.
Ryan trotted up beside him in the tunnel. “It’s official. Bridget loves her, and apparently, I will too.”
Although most of the team lived close and had met Natalie before, Bridget hadn’t been out to New York until she’d moved here for the season last weekend.
Declan eyed Ryan and scowled. Everywhere Natalie went, she made friends. She was his bright ray of sunshine. Declan never doubted she’d fit in with the team wives.
“What? Isn’t that good?” Ryan continued. “That was a huge thing for me with Bridg. I wanted her to fit in flawlessly, and she did.” Declan turned to him again. “I mean, you couldn’t be unlucky enough to pick two bad ones, so it was all but guaranteed.”
Declan shook his head, trying not to chuckle.
