Page 58 of Love's Home Run

“No problem. Let’s go upstairs. I’m happy to sit and watch the sunset from our balcony and have a decent night’s sleep. The bed looks comfortable.” At Ross’s fake leer, Melissa laughed.

“You know what I mean.”

Ross took hold of her hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed it. “You’re gorgeous.”

A flush of pleasure surged inside Melissa. This was something new. She’d never been called gorgeous.

“Okay, you two, I’ll leave you. Ross, I’ll meet you for breakfast at eight o’clock. Okay?”

“Sure,” said Ross. “We can review the numbers once more before meeting with Bob and his financial guy.”

Mike left, and Ross took her arm. “Sorry to be such a slug.”

“No apologies necessary,” said Melissa. “It’s been a crazy week, and you’re still healing. Let’s go up to our room.”

They took the elevator to their room. It was decorated with a beach theme, with white walls, white furniture, and turquoise and yellow accents everywhere.

“Oh, look, the sun is setting,” she said. “Let’s go on the balcony to watch it.”

Outside, they sat in chairs facing the water. Though they were facing east, the sky above them reflected the setting sun's colors, creating an abstract painting of reds, oranges, and yellows.

“This is such a beautiful place,” said Melissa. “As we drove south, I realized each state has its own beauty.”

Ross reached for her hand and squeezed it. “I’ll take another trip with you, here in the States or Europe. Places we can discover together. That’s one reason I like your idea of not owning a restaurant.”

“Yes,” Melissa agreed, even as she realized how unsettled her future was.

After the colors faded and dusk quickly turned dark, Ross stood. “Guess we’d better get to bed.”

Melissa followed him inside. “You go ahead and use the bathroom. I’ll follow.”

Alone, Melissa called her mother. “Hi, I’m just checking in. How are things going? How’s Dad?”

“It’s a bit of a struggle,” her mother admitted. “After being so scared, the reality of life from now on is a little hard to accept for a man who’s used to being busy and eating anything he likes. But we’ll work on it together, even though your father’s usual pleasant humor is gone. The doctor said it’s not unusual for some patients to be depressed by all the changes. But eventually, your father will make peace with the changes, and he’ll definitely feel better.”

“I’m glad. You’re terrific support for him,” she said.

“Thanks. How are things going with you and Ross?” her mother asked.

“Wonderful. Being with Ross is different from any relationship I’ve ever had.” She wasn’t about to tell her mother about the exciting lovemaking she and Ross shared. “He makes me feel beautiful.”

“It’s wise that you’re taking your time with this new relationship,” said her mother. “I’m sorry your father isn’t here to talk to you. He’s meeting with the people from the rehab center. He should be available later.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to you both later,” said Melissa.

Melissa ended the call, wishing she wasn’t worried about a future relationship with Ross. Thinking about it, she decided the real issue was she didn’t know about her future, and until that was settled, she couldn’t think of life with him. She’d worked too hard to succeed in her field to give it up.

Ross walked toward her wearing just his undershorts, and Melissa's lips curved. Seeing him smiling at her, she felt her spirits lift, and she told herself that she’d been foolish to worry when he made her happier than anyone else ever had.

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Later, after making love, she snuggled against his broad chest and sighed with pleasure. It was this, more than the worries she conjured up, that mattered.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The next morning, she and Ross ordered room service. While they waited for their food, they lay in bed and discussed the sports center in Lilac Lake. The more they talked about it, the more certain Melissa became that she didn’t want to have any part of a food operation there. The sports center was Ross’s creative enterprise. She needed one of her own.

“Are you sure you don’t want to set up a restaurant, snack bar, or something there?” Ross asked.

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