Until a few days ago, Tucker Michaels was a complete stranger to me, and then, after just one night, I wondered how I was ever able to live without him. I never dreamed that I would actually fall for Tucker—especially after such a short time, but the fact was, I did. It was a strange feeling, frightening even, and I was completely overwhelmed by it. When I was with him, I felt like my heart was dancing around in my chest. He was everything I’d ever wanted, and if I hadn’t brought him home for a “one-night stand” I would’ve never known that the way he’d say my name would give me goosebumps or the way he’d pull me into his arms would make my knees go weak.

I felt so stupid. It hurt to watch him walk out that door, especially when I thought he felt the same way about me, but after a long, hot shower and a few shed tears, I realized I’d done it all to myself. I wanted him to tell me that he had the same crazy feelings I’d been having, that he wanted to take a chance regardless of how hard it may be, but he barely even knew me. How could he know if I was worth that kind of risk? I would just have to accept the fact that I’d created my own heartbreak simply by expecting too much.

Becoming more disheartened by the minute, I decided to take a walk, hoping that getting out of the apartment might help clear my head. I pulled my wet hair up into a ponytail, laced up my tennis shoes, and grabbed my phone. Just as I was about to leave, I heard a strange thud at the base of my door. Cautiously, I opened it and found Tucker standing there with his hands full of groceries and different bags of takeout. “What are you doing here?”

As he started inside, he almost dropped one of the bags. “You gonna give me a hand with this?”

I took several bags that were about to fall and set them down on the counter. After he put the rest down on the table, I asked, “Tucker, what in the world is all this?”

“It’s breakfast.” He smiled as he stepped towards me, and with his hands on my hips, he pulled me close. “I want to have breakfast with you, Kaci.”

I bit my bottom lip, trying hold back my smile and asked, “You do?”

“Yeah, I do.” He leaned down and kissed me tenderly before turning his attention back to his groceries. As he started unloading them, he continued, “I figure it will take us a little planning here and there, but if we work together we can make it happen. You know … one of us can make the biscuits while the other is scrambling the eggs. People do it all the time.”

His analogy was absolutely ridiculous, but I understood exactly what he was saying. Neither of us were being naïve. We both knew it would difficult to even date, much less start a new relationship. I smiled as I told him, “We don’t always have to cook, you know. There’s always cereal or oatmeal, and I grab takeout all the time. I don’t see why we couldn’t do it.”

He picked up one of the bags of takeout. “Exactly! I was thinking the same thing. See, we’re on the same page here.”

“You’re crazy. You know that, right?”

“I’m crazy about you,” he told me as he leaned towards me and kissed me once again. “Now, how do you like your eggs. I’m starving.”

“Scrambled with cheese.”

“That’s what I’m talking about, and what about gravy for the biscuits?”

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest as I looked at him standing there with that sexy smile on his face. “Absolutely.”

“We’re about to have ourselves one hell of a breakfast,” he boasted.

“I can’t believe you came back.”

His expression softened as he stopped what he was doing and eased over to me. “I knew before I even left that I was coming right back, Kaci. I never had any intention of leaving, but you wouldn’t stop talking about breakfast and gave me no choice.”

“I thought I’d never see you again.”

“There’s no way that was going to happen. I know there’s no way either of us can know how this thing is going to turn out, but I’d like to try. If you’re up for it, we could start with an actual date, and see where things go from there.”

“I’m definitely up for it.”

“So, where would you like to go on this first date of ours?”

“Dinner and a movie?”

“Dinner and a movie it is, and while I’m still in town, maybe I can talk you into coming to a couple of my games.”

“I’d love that, but you might have to teach me a few of the basics. I really don’t know much about baseball,” I confessed.

“Really? I never would’ve have guessed that,” he snickered. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Kaden and I can catch you up to speed.”

“I’m sure you can.”

“Maybe you could bring him to a couple of the games, too.”

“He would love that.” I smiled. “And I would, too.”

“Good, because I’d really like to have you there.” He gave me a quick kiss and then turned his attention to my kitchen cabinets. “Now, where’s the skillet? It’s time to get cooking.”

And so it begins.