Page 72 of Love's Home Run

“I understand completely. I don’t feel I have to be married to live life well, but I want a loving relationship.” Melissa looked at Crystal.

Crystal clapped a hand on Melissa’s shoulder. “Well said. And, God help me; I’m tired of having to get up at the crack of dawn to open the café for breakfast.”

“I understand,” Melissa said. The few early mornings she’d had making love with Ross was a wonderful way to start the day. “When are you and Emmett going to get married?”

“I don’t know. His father is a U.S. Senator, so his parents want a big wedding. But with his mother’s ongoing recovery from alcohol addiction, we’d rather have a small, private affair. I was even thinking of an outdoor wedding on the grounds of Emmett’s house. It’s lovely by the river.”

“Oh, that sounds perfect,” gushed Melissa.

“Why don’t you and Emmett plan to come to my house for dinner tomorrow? I’d love to have you. Ross and I will leavefor New Jersey the next day, but I want the four of us to get together sooner rather than later.”

Crystal smiled. “I’m sure we can work it out. Let me check with Emmett, and I’ll get back to you. Thanks for the invitation.”

“Just let me know. It won’t be a gourmet meal, just something summery and easy.” Melissa left the café full of excitement, thinking of not only working with Crystal but also forming a real friendship with her.

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Later, she walked over to Ross’s house.

Mike answered the door.

“Is Ross here?” she asked.

“Sure, come in. We’re working in the den. We’re stoked about adding the indoor baseball facility. I think it’s going to work.”

“I heard you might be interested in someone in town,” said Melissa, unable to resist teasing him.

“Yeah, well, I’m not sure who I’m interested in right now. I’m used to playing the field, or in my case, playing the court.”

Melissa laughed at Mike’s tennis joke. He was a likable guy, someone Ross trusted. That meant a lot to her.

Ross looked up from his computer when Melissa walked into the room. “Hi. How’d your meeting with Crystal go?”

“Good. I’ve invited Crystal and Emmett for dinner tomorrow night. I hope you’re free.”

“If he isn’t, I am,” kidded Mike. “Anything for your cooking.”

“Okay, you’re invited too,” said Melissa, pleased.

“Better make a lot of food. Mike’s a big eater,” teased Ross. “And yes, I’ll be there. Do you want to go out to dinner with me tonight?”

“Can we go to Fresh? I haven’t been there in a while, and I want to check them out,” said Melissa.

“I’ll call and make reservations. Mike, you’re on your own,” said Ross.

“I’ve already made plans,” said Mike. “That’s the thing about staying here with you. We don’t have to worry about one another.”

The guys laughed, and Melissa joined in, liking their easy companionship. Being business partners with someone meant you had to get along and think alike. She wondered how that would work between Crystal, Nettie, Jason, and her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Melissa had always liked Fresh—the theme, the food. Now, as she entered the restaurant with Ross, she took a closer look. Was it the proper kind of restaurant to take over the space for Fins?

Though her parents wanted to sell their restaurant, they had enough stake in it to want any replacement to be as refined and successful as they had been. It was an ego thing, but it mattered.

They were led to a table by a window overlooking part of the herb garden—a touch Melissa liked.

The table chinaware had a botanical look to it, which Melissa also liked. It added to the white and dark green color scheme of the interior, whose white wainscoting met dark green walls.

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