“You called me ‘babe’. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you call me that before.” His brows furrowed. “In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you use a pet name for me.”
“That can’t be right. I’m sure I must have at some point.”
“I mean, apart from hearing you scream ‘Oh god’ when I’m railing you.” He flashed me a devious grin, not caring about the people walking by in the background.
“Lachlan!” I exclaimed, eyes widening. “Imogene could have been listening.”
“But she wasn’t.” His playful expression turned panicked. “Was she?”
“No.” I smirked. “She and Nikko are in your gym.”
“Really?”
I nodded, stirring the batter in the mixing bowl. “Learned he knew jiu-jitsu and asked if he’d show her some moves. So that’s what they’ve been doing. They probably won’t be in there much longer since I’m having a little get-together tonight to watch the game. Imogene invited Roman over, too.”
“Tell him no funny business in my house,” he admonished in a deep voice, expression stern.
“Pretty sure he got that message loud and clear yesterday.”
“I’m just looking out for my girl.”
I stopped mixing the batter, my heart expanding. “Could you be any more perfect?” I remarked before I could stop myself.
He chuckled, the sound a sexy rumble. “I’m far from perfect, love.”
“But you’re perfect for me…babe.”
“That’s all that matters.”
I sighed, wishing I could talk to him all night long. But he had a game to get ready for. And I had guests who would start showing up any minute.
“You’d better get going. Give the Dodgers a giant ass whooping on their home turf.”
“That’s the plan. See you in a few hours.” He blew me a kiss.
I pretended to catch it before blowing one back. Then I ended the call.
As I finished whipping the batter for my peanut butter and jelly cookies, I turned the television to the pregame broadcast. The second I did, Lachlan’s smiling face appeared on the screen, my heart skipping a beat.
I still couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to know him so intimately. The one who got to share a bed, a life, and right now, a home with him. I didn’t know what I’d done to deserve his unwavering devotion, even through all the ups and downs. But I wasn’t going to obsess over it. Wasn’t going to fall into my old habits of thinking everyone had an ulterior motive for wanting to be with me. Instead, I was going to allow myself to be happy.
Finally.
And I’d be damned if I permitted Nick to take that from me.
As soon as the kitchen was back in order, apart from the trays of food I’d prepared for tonight, the doorbell rang. I wiped my hands on the towel and made my way toward the foyer.
“Holy shit. This place is incredible,” Naomi said before I even had a chance to open the door all the way, her wide eyes taking in every stunning inch of Lachlan’s home.
“Wait until you see the back yard. He’s got his own baseball diamond. And batting cages. The patio has an enormous TV, as well as a fire pit. It’s where we’re going to watch the game. It was either that or the theater room, but I figured it might be nice to be outside. And the kitchen isn’t too shabby, either.”
I grabbed her hand and pulled her farther into the house, coming to a stop at the kitchen island, allowing her to take in the state-of-the-art appliances, including a double oven and even a bread proofer.
She looked down at the food covering the island. “Seems like you’ve been taking advantage of this kitchen.”
“I’d be crazy not to.” I glanced around. “Although, once this is all over, it’ll make going back to my house difficult.”
“You could just move in together.” She waggled her brows.