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“Whatever you say. I’m looking forward to dinner tomorrow, though,” I say. “You okay if we sit at the bar instead of at a table? I want to catch up with Jeff a little bit.”

“You just want easy access to bottomless cranberry lime sodas, don’t you?” Danae says, and the teasing tone in her voice makes me want to drive straight over there and kiss her. For a long time.

I smile at the ceiling instead. “You caught me. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.”

“Love you too, Griff.”

Chapter thirty-seven

Danae

“You really don’t need to be nervous. Our parents are awesome. They’re friends with everyone. Heck—they love Griffin, so of course they’ll love you,” Samantha says. Jason and I are following her through the inner labyrinth of the Crowns stadium, toward the locker room. We’ll head up to Griffin’s suite soon, but we’re meeting him to say hello before the game starts. Maybe eventually I’ll feel comfortable enough to greet him from the front of the stands like some of the other wives and girlfriends do during warm-ups.

But today is not that day.

For now, we’re flying under the radar. I’m not prepared for another onslaught of media attention. We’ll tell Griffin good luck, and then I will focus on deep breathing while we make our way to the suite, where I will be meeting Griffin’s parents for the first time. There are way too many games for them to travel up from Oklahoma for every one, but they’re here for the games today and tomorrow.

I spent most of last night writing out flow charts of every possible way this first meeting could go. I am well-prepared for whatever turn our conversation might take, and yet, in an equally real sense, not at all prepared.

My eyes glaze over as my mind chases itself down the rabbit hole of “What if his parents ask about such and such” questions, and I’m startled when Jason yanks his hand out of mine. Pulling my vision backinto focus, I see him sprinting to Griffin down the hallway. My heart squeezes at the sight, and I pick up my own pace.

When Griffin’s eyes find me, his grin turns just this side of wicked as I approach. It only takes two giant steps from him to close the distance between us. He immediately grabs my hand, guiding me into a slow-motion twirl before securing me in place with a hand on either hip.

“Number eleven, huh?” he says, huskiness permeating his tone. His gaze languidly travels down my body and back up to meet my eyes again.

I trace the numbers on his jersey, mirrored on the one I purchased earlier today.

“Only ever number eleven,” I murmur, feeling a blush creep to my cheeks.

Griffin skims a kiss over the hottest part of my cheek, only adding to the flush.

“Good luck!” I blurt. “Break a leg? Is saying ‘good luck’ bad luck in baseball? I wish you well. You got this. Go get ’em, cowboy? Please help me out here.”

A deep laugh echoes in the hallway as Griffin loses the battle to stifle his response to my verbal tripping. Samantha and Jason join in with their own giggles. “‘Good luck’ is fine,” Griffin says. He leans in and adds in a lower tone, “Although we could further explore this cowboy talk.”

I smack him on the arm before he pulls me into a hug. “It’s good to have you here today,” he says in my ear. “My parents have talked about nothing other than meeting you and Jason the last three times I’ve called them.”

Abruptly pulling back, I grill him one final time. “Anything else I need to know? Have you thought of any last-minute pieces of information that I should be equipped with heading into this meeting? What additional intel do I need?”

His lips quirk in a half-smile. “Not a thing. They’re going to love you both. And I really think that you’re going to love them too,” he says, voice warm. “And the camera crew knows not to take any videofootage of our suite for the jumbotron, so don’t be worried about that. I've gotta get back into the locker room, but I’ll see you after, okay?”

Griffin receives a final high five from Jason as he says, “I had an extra dish of chicken tenders sent to the suite just for you, Fireball.”

“Let’s gooo!” Jason says, eyes lighting up. “See you after the game, Mr. Griffin! I’ll be cheering as loud as I can!”

“You must be Danae!” a sweet, feminine voice exclaims.

So much for beating Griffin’s parents to the suite and having time to shut myself in the bathroom to mentally rehearse my preparation lists.

“I’m Cinda, Griffin and Sammi’s mom!” the woman says as she pulls me into a generous hug. “I’ve been aching to meet you ever since Griff mentioned you back in January.” She leans back but keeps her hands on my arms as she looks me over. “This is a real treat,” Cinda adds, voice like honey and blue eyes dancing.

“Are you gonna give me a chance to introduce myself, too, or are you hogging her all to yourself today?” The deep voice has an uncanny similarity to Griffin’s cadence, and when I look over to the source of the voice, I’m struck by the physical similarities as well. He’s a couple of inches taller than Griffin, but with the same jawline and winsome smile.

Allowing myself to breathe and smile widely, I say, “Youhaveto be Griffin’s dad.”

His laughter booms just like Griffin’s belly laughs, and he holds out a hand to shake mine. “I’m David. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Now where’s the little guy I’ve heard so much about?”

At his question, I realize that Jason has been hiding behind me, but he peeks his head around my side. David crouches down and holds out his hand in an open invitation for a handshake or high five.