Page 12 of Love's Home Run

“Well, it’s easy to see why it would be no problem for you to get chosen for a team,” said Dirk. “Talk to you later.” He waved to Cooper and took off running after him.

Dani walked up to her. “What was that all about?”

“I’ve invited Dirk for dinner. We were just confirming it.”

“Maybe you’re asking the wrong guy. Ross does seem interested in you,” Dani said.

“We’re just friends. That’s how he wants it, and I’ve told him I’m interested in Dirk.”

“You told him that?” Dani asked, her eyebrows shooting up on her face.

“Yes, that’s what I meant about being friends. We can talk to each other about a lot of things.”

Dani studied her with a puzzled frown. “Okay, I guess.”

CHAPTER FIVE

After spending the afternoon cooking and prepping for dinner service at the restaurant, Melissa went home to prepare for her meal with Dirk.

She’d brought a beautiful piece of cod from the restaurant that she intended to broil with a lemony butter sauce and breadcrumbs. She’d quickly steam green beans from her garden and garnish them with butter and almonds. Seasoned rice would complete the main course. Simple and easy.

As she moved around her kitchen, she turned on Chopin piano concertos heard through the sound system she’d had installed in her house. The music helped her concentrate on the meal, stop conjuring up images of Dirk, and wonder what it might feel like to make love with him. Ross had told her to be herself, but he didn’t know how awkward she sometimes felt.

She’d had boyfriends before, but none that made her feel truly accepted for herself. Since she’d been back in town, she’d made male friends, but none interested her until Dirk. He was someone she could imagine a future with. Ross and his friends were successful men accustomed to a more glamorous life and gorgeous women. None of those words described her.

Dirk was attractive in his own way and was a sweet person, someone who might be able to accept her sometimes awkward ways.

When Dirk arrived at her door, Melissa had convinced herself to relax and enjoy the evening.

Smiling, Melissa waved him inside.

He stood in the hallway momentarily and then said, “Chopin’s Nocturne in E Flat Major. One of my favorites.”

She smiled with satisfaction. “I thought you might like it. Come on in. It’s a lovely evening. We can sit out on the porch for drinks and appetizers. I hope you’re hungry. I think I got carried away with the shrimp cocktail. You aren’t allergic, are you?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “As long as it’s legitimately food, I’m all in. I don’t count insects and bugs as real food.”

“Have you tasted things like that?” Melissa asked.

“My family took a trip to China, and we experienced some pretty weird stuff,” he said. “My father works for the government.”

“How interesting,” said Melissa, leading him into the kitchen. “What’ll you have to drink? I have both red and white wine and beer, of course.”

“Thanks. I’ll take a beer. So refreshing on a warm evening.”

She handed him a cold Heineken from the refrigerator and poured herself a sauvignon blanc.

She handed him a plate of cooked shrimp topped with lemon slices and a side container of cocktail sauce for dipping. She carried small plates and napkins and led him to the screened-in porch.

“This is nice,” said Dirk. “My rental is perfect for now, but eventually, I want to have a house of my own.”

“You can’t do better than building with Collister Construction,” Melissa said. “I have no complaints and many compliments about their work.”

“It’s so cool that many “townies” have returned to Lilac Lake to live. It says a lot about the town and the area.”

“Yes, it does. At one time, I would never have thought I’d want to live and raise a family here. But I think it’s a wonderful place to do just that.” She hoped she hadn’t been too outspoken.

“So, you want a large family?” Dirk asked.

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