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GEORGIA

I ’m feeling a little mopey this morning knowing I won’t see Cade for almost two whole weeks but it’s impossible to stay that way with Auggie’s antics. This morning he’s pretending to be different animals. Right now, he’s a pig, making silly sounds as he crawls around on all fours.

“Where’s my Auggie? I don’t see him. There’s just a little piggy,” I say scooping him up and blowing raspberries against his neck. He erupts into a fit of giggles. I set him back down and he crawls around, continuing his porcine role, snorting and oinking. Jasper, always up for a good time, follows him around, tail a waggin’. Clarence sits on his throne watching with disdain from the back of the couch. What a group.

The intensity of my feelings for Cade scares me, and it’s another reason why having lofty thoughts about our relationship is a very bad idea. I know there are incredible women behind many of these ball players. They’ve learned how to navigate the feast and famine of loving an MLB player. Supporting their men whether they’re in the same city or across the country must get lonely at times. Can’t be easy holding down the fort and taking care of the babies whilst their husbands work their butts off in season. I’m not sure I’m cut out for that life.

That nagging little voice on the other shoulder chimes in, Part-time’s better than nothin’ . But is it? It’s hard to turn your emotions off and on like a light switch when all you want to do is keep them on twenty-four-seven. It’s kind of like opening a door to a candy store that’s been locked up and suddenly I get to sample all the sweets I want. Then the door is slammed shut again. Oh, I don’t know… that’s a stupid analogy. Holy cow am I ever a mess. I miss him already. Not good!

Regardless of whether we’re a couple or not he’s going to be in my life so is it going to be any harder if I open my heart than if I guard it? Who am I fooling? I’m already up a creek without a paddle anyhow.

“Aunt Ava is coming over to watch you while Mama goes to work.”

“Va va,” Auggie says.

Speaking of work, thank God I work tonight. Eric is going to get an earful! I feel a little giddy thinking about letting go and diving in. If I do a belly flop, so be it. I do think I can trust Cade, I do. He already loves Auggie and… well… I want this so bad.

I sigh. “Time for a bath little piggy,” I say. He squeals when I hoist him into my arms. “This little piggy goes to the bathtub, then Mama has to get ready for work.”

While I’m bathing Auggie, my phone rings. Glancing at the lit screen sitting on the toilet lid, I see that it’s Cade and my heart skips a beat. The call goes to voicemail and disappointment washes over me. I can almost hear his warm familiar voice and I want to scream at the bad timing.

“That was your daddy calling,” I say.

“Da da,” he says.

“That’s right. Your daddy is playing baseball tonight.”

“Da da, bass-baw.”

“That’s right. He loves you very much.” I plant a kiss on the tip of his nose, grab a towel then lift him out of the tub. I carry my naked baby into the bedroom to dress him while he jabbers away.

Later, I listen to my message and replay it several times. “Morning Georgia. Sorry I missed you. How’s my little leaguer? Our flight is at noon then after we land and check in to our hotel, we’ll head straight to the stadium. No rest for the wicked I guess.” His warm chuckle goes straight to my belly. “Anyway, I won’t get a chance to call you again until after our game tonight. I know you’re working as well, so hopefully we’ll catch up at the end of the day. Do you miss me? Hope so.” I hear male voices in the background as he ends the call. Dang it! Why does he have to be so damn charming? I don’t stand a chance.

T he restaurant is slow tonight so Eric and I have plenty of time to catch up on all the tea. “Do you reckon Michaela thinks we don’t see her TikTok posts?” I ask.

“They are pretty funny,” Eric says. “Her imitation of Evie was spot on!”

“What about her doing me? I don’t act like that do I?”

Eric laughs. “Kind of sort of. You’re just chill is all.”

“She made me seem like a robot with a southern accent.”

“What about me? A Casanova? Hardly.”

“Well, you are a big flirt.”

“Not that bad.”

“Then she did Tom, ponderin’ the deep meaning of the daily specials. That was hysterical,” I say. “Then Jade taking breaks to taste every dish! Like she’s a food critic or something. I laughed till I cried on that one,” I say. “I think Michaela missed her calling. She should get out of the restaurant business and go into stand-up.”

“Right?” Eric says over his shoulder as he takes a drink order. After serving the customers he returns to lean against the back bar next to me.

“So, what’s new with Cade-licious?” he asks.

I blow out a deep breath. “Oh, Eric. I’m in over my head. I’m in deep doo-doo. My heart’s gone off-roading without a GPS.”

He guffaws. “I saw this coming. May as well get you a map and some snacks, because I have a feeling you’re in for a long journey.”

I frown. “But what if he’s just into the chase… he wants it till it’s right in front of him?”

“Trust me, he isn’t. I wish you could see yourself the way everyone else does. You’re the grand prize, my loveable knucklehead. You’re smart, funny and gorgeous. He’s in as deep as you are.”

“Ya think?”

“I know. How could he not be? Everyone here at work is half in love with you.”

“Get out!” I say. “According to Michaela, I’m about as interesting as a stump.”

“You’re efficient and the customers love you. Just because you’re a no-nonsense badass, which, by the way, makes you a great employee and colleague, doesn’t mean you aren’t fun. You’re one of my favorite people on the planet.”

I beam. “I feel the exact same way about you! Looks like our party is about to be crashed,” I say as a throng of new customers enter the restaurant.

“Last piece of advice, hit the gas and don’t look back.”

“You’re a dork,” I say laughing. “I’ll take that under advisement.”

W hen I get home Ava and I gossip about our day before she heads home. As I crawl into bed, I check my phone for the umpteenth time to reassure myself I didn’t miss a call. Nope. I’m disappointed but I know he has to be exhausted. Playing a night game after traveling the same day is rough. At least they have another win to show for it. I turn out the light and fall asleep thinking of Cade.