The Curve Ball - Samantha Lind Page 0,78
she was cool about it.”
“I just wasn’t sure. I mean, I know you’re used to having your brother, and now me, in your life, but Reese is on another level of celebrity status in my book.”
“She does have all of you beat out, I’d agree,” Riley teases me.
“So, what’s the plan for later? Did you text your brother to see if we’re getting together?”
“I did, he was going to get back to me. Maybe you should try texting him,” she tells me.
I pull out my phone and shoot off a text of my own.
JJ: What’s up, man? Are we getting together tonight?
The three dots pop up for a few seconds, before disappearing and then popping back up a few seconds after that. I toss my phone on the blanket until he replies.
“Done. Looks like he’s got a lot to say.” I laugh as the bubbles continue to pop on and off the screen until my screen goes black as it times out.
Riley rolls her eyes, then lies back on the blanket and stretches out. Her tank top rides up slightly, showing off a small sliver of skin just above her shorts. I ache to drop a kiss to that exposed skin but hold myself back since we’re in public. That wouldn’t be a good picture to show up online.
“Stop looking at me like you’re going to eat me,” Riley says, rolling her head to look at me.
“How’d you even know I was doing that when your eyes were closed?” I ask, my eyebrows raised to my hairline.
“I can feel when they’re on me. It's like a brand on my skin,” she tells me.
“I’ll brand your skin.” I flash a grin as I wink at her.
“Don’t be crass,” she chides, giving me a stern look. Well, as stern of a look as she can while biting back a smile.
“Da-da-da,” Evie starts to babble from where she is lying on the blanket playing with her toys.
“Yes, baby girl.” I turn my attention back to her. I grab one of the toys that are just out of her reach, moving it back next to her. She abandons the toy she has in her hands and picks up the one I just set down. “I was thinking,” I say, grabbing Riley’s attention.
“What’s that?” she questions.
“With my parents arriving tomorrow, how about I take you out on a date tomorrow night. You can get all dressed up, and I’ll wine and dine you all night. Leave my parents at the house with Evie, and we’ll take the night off, just the two of us.”
“Mhmm, that sounds like heaven,” she agrees with me.
“Then I’ll plan it. Be ready to go by five and pack an overnight bag. I’m going to have you all to myself all night.”
“Well, okay then,” she says, flashing me her trademark smile.
My phone finally lights up with a reply from Derek, so I swipe the screen to open the text.
Derek: Hey, I think we are just going to chill at home tonight. Jillian is tired and just wants a quiet night.
JJ: Sounds good, man, see you tomorrow at practice.
Derek: See ya then.
“We’re on our own for tonight. Derek said that Jillian is tired and just wants to have a chill night.”
“Sounds good,” Riley says as she shifts on the blanket. She rests her head in my lap, and my fingers go immediately to her hair. I remove the elastic keeping it held in the messy bun she put it into when we laid down on the blanket. I love running my fingers through it, and I know she loves it because she’s told me a few times. Says that it relaxes her. “Let’s order sushi and have an at-home date night.”
“Sounds perfect,” I tell her as I run a fingertip over her face.
We stay like that, just relaxing and enjoying the summer day as a family until Evie starts to get fussy. Riley changes her diaper quickly before we pick everything up and head back home for some lunch.
Twenty
Riley
“Mrs. Johnson, nice to see you again,” I greet Justin’s mom as she enters the house from the garage. I stayed home with Evie while he went to pick them up since she was still asleep when he had to go.
“Please, Riley, call me Julie,” she says, wrapping me in a hug.
“All right,” I wheeze out as she squeezes me hard.
“Sorry about that,” she says sheepishly as she releases me. “Now, where is my granddaughter?” she asks as she just about bounces out of