“Wow, thanks. He’ll be thrilled.”

Neil grins, and when Gabby stands to begin clearing the table, he joins us, insisting that he should earn his keep.

The cleanup goes quickly with the three of us pitching in.

“Do you have a girlfriend, Neil?” Gabby asks.

“No, ma’am,” he replies and then laughs. “I should steer clear of women for a while. I seem to be getting into trouble with them.”

“Why?” she asks as she folds a hand towel and hangs it in the oven door handle.

“Because I’m an idiot.”

“Well, some people are.” She nods thoughtfully.

“I thought you were going to say that some men are.” Neil crosses his arms over his chest and leans back on the counter, genuinely interested in what Gabby has to say.

And so am I.

“No, people can be idiots. Not just men.” She shrugs. “Especially when it comes to love.”

“No one said anything about love.”

“Maybe that’s the problem,” she says with a smile. “Sex and love together, that’s a powerful thing.” She seems to shake herself and offers Neil a shy smile. “Or I’ve been told.”

“I’m not ready for love.”

“You’re what, in your mid-twenties?” she asks.

“Yes.”

“So, grow up.” Both Neil and I raise our brows, him in surprise, and me in pride. “You have an amazing job that many people would kill for. You don’t have to fall in love today, but you don’t have to be a jackass either.”

“I think I did just fall in love.”

I growl, but both of them ignore me.

“Trust me when I say,” she continues, “screwing anything with boobs isn’t attractive. It doesn’t make you a hot baseball star. It makes you a pathetic athlete with less than questionable morals. And later, when you are lonely and you want to fall in love, it won’t be easy. Do your thing. Play baseball. But don’t be a jackass.”

“You’re smart,” Neil says, looking shell-shocked.

“I’ve had my share of jackasses,” she replies simply. “My brothers sometimes have jackass qualities, but we yank them back to reality quickly. My dad was no jackass. And I’m certainly not raising one. If you act respectably and respectfully, the right girl will come along.”

“You should add counseling services to your menu here,” Neil says with a laugh. “But I hear you. And I don’t disagree with you.”

“Of course you don’t disagree. I’m right.”

I can’t stand it anymore; I have to touch her. I pull her in front of me, against me, and wrap my arms around her shoulders, holding her close. Neil smiles at her thoughtfully, then raises his gaze to mine.

“I’ve never seen you like this, man, but now I know why. You’ve never met anyone like her.”

“Not even close,” I agree.

“I’m going to bed.” Neil nods at both of us and turns to leave the room. “Do you mind if I stay tomorrow night too? I’d like to see a bit of New Orleans.”

“No problem,” Gabby replies. When he leaves the room, she tilts her head back, looking up at me upside down. “Did I say too much?”

I kiss her forehead softly and rest my lips there. “No, sweetheart. I think you said exactly what he needed to hear. He’s having a rough time.”

“I could tell.” She sighs and closes her eyes, still resting her head back against my chest. “Your lips feel good.”

I grin against her skin. “Let’s go put them to use in other places.”

Chapter Ten

~Gabby~

“Here, give these to Sam.” I glance up as Neil climbs the steps of the porch with a Cubs tote bag in his hands. “I signed a couple balls. You can have Rhys sign them too. And there’s a jersey in there.”

“You really didn’t have to do that,” I say with a smile and accept the bag. Sam is going to be so excited! “But he will love it. He’ll be sad that he missed you.”

“Maybe I’ll meet him another time,” Neil says. “Gabby, thanks again for what you said the other night.”

“Look, I’m sorry if I crossed a line—”

“No. You didn’t.” He shakes his head. “I needed to hear it¸ and you were right. It’s time to grow up and enjoy this career. Who knows how much longer I’ll be able to play? Professional athletes have an expiration date, especially catchers. My knees won’t last forever.”

“Well, if you ever need advice, you know where to find me. You know, southern women aren’t exactly known for keeping their mouths shut.”

“I’ll remember that.” He grins and turns to walk away, but stops and looks back at me. “Rhys is a good man.”

“But?”

“No but. He’s a good man. Just thought I’d let you know, for what it’s worth.”

I smile, touched by the sweet baseball player. “It’s worth a lot.”

He nods, gets in his car, and pulls away, leaving just me and Rhys at the inn. The rest of the guests left earlier this morning, and given that it’s Sunday, I’m officially off duty.

I find Rhys in the kitchen, finishing a phone call. “Everyone is gone.”

“Good.” He grins and folds me into a hug. “Do you want to go somewhere today?”

“Nope.” I press my ear to his chest, enjoying the sound of his heartbeat. “I want to show you around my home.”