Page 82 of Tempting the Heart

“Where’d we get this stuff?”

Audrey stood and looked through a couple of receipts. “It looks like it came in a few weeks ago.” She looked at me with disbelief. “It was Tyler’s dad.”

A shiver ran through me. “So, before he got his first hip replacement.”

Audrey nodded. “Seems like it. We gave him fifty bucks for the bat.”

“Brad probably didn’t notice it had been engraved or customized,” I pointed out.

“Add it to my tab. I’m going to take it to Tyler.”

“Will do.” Audrey’s lips pushed into a smile. “How is all that going?”

I let out a thoughtful sigh, holding the bat. “I honestly don’t know. Today, he seemed really distracted, but considering what just happened, I can understand it.”

Audrey nodded.

“But I feel like he’s getting lost in his thoughts and world. I really like him, Audrey. He’s so kind and compassionate.”

“A good kisser?”

I laughed. “Extremely talented in that area.”

“Everything just seems right about trying out a relationship with him, and then…”

“Things implode.”

I nodded. “Exactly. And good is coming out of this for his parents, but I feel like he’s just using it to make an excuse.”

“For what?”

I shook my head and sighed. “I don’t know yet. I’m just hoping tonight, I can gauge things a bit better. It’s not like he needs to stay here any longer. He could go.”

“Now you’re overthinking things.”

“I am.” I laughed. “Okay. Enough thinking. I will visit my childhood crush, hand him this bat, and see where the night takes us.”

“Really sexy moves, Mae. I’m sure that bat will really get things humming right along.”

“You do remember he got a full-ride scholarship thanks to his baseball skills, right?”

“How could I forget? You made me watch college baseball your senior year, only his team was never on.”

I snickered. “There are things that should never leave this room, and that is one of them. I don’t need Tyler’s head growing the size of Texas.”

“I’m sure he knows you had it bad.”

“I’ve been playing it down as much as I can.”

Audrey laughed. “Okay. Dottie and I are off. You enjoy your night catching up with Tyler.”

“I will.” I clutched the bat and walked to the front door. Audrey followed and locked the door behind me.

By the time I pulled into the hotel’s parking lot, I couldn’t wait to see Tyler. When he’d stopped by the coffee shop earlier today, I could tell a lot was going through his mind.

I’d be lying if it didn’t worry me a little bit.

Before I had a chance to get out of my car, Tyler walked over and opened the door, helping me out.

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