Page 78 of The Ex Next Door
“No, he wasn’t.” Amy shook her head. “He was the best pitcher by far.”
“Hey, you miss 100 percent of the swings you never take.” Declan laughed. “Anyway, don’t tell your coach I said that.”
After they finished their pizza, David and Naomi wanted to play some of the arcade games, so Amy gave them some change. She’d now at least have a few minutes alone with Declan.
“Tell me more about the job.” She reached across the table and squeezed his hand.
Surely this small amount of PDA would be allowed. The kids were busy, after all, and maybe she could let some of her feelings seep through. She loved this man, loved everything about him, and couldn’t believe she’d forgotten him for so many years. Part of that forgetting, of course, had been self-preservation.
“Remember Tyrone? He’s the principal at our old high school and has been trying to recruit me since I left Houston.”
“What made you change your mind?”
He shrugged. “I think it’s time.”
“We’re going to miss you at the Salty Dog. What will Debbie do without her nightly coaching talk?”
Declan laughed. “You’re the one who made me realize it’s in my blood. I can’t escape who I am, and just being around David has brought the rest to me. Damn it, I love baseball. Always have, always will.”
“I know you do. And I bet you’re a great teacher, too. I’ve already seen how good you are with David.”
“You won’t be working at the bar much longer, either. I’m sure you’ll get an offer as soon as you’re ready.”
“Let’s hope.”
They just grinned across the table at each other, and she felt caught in a love spell. This was how they’d been all those years ago but without all the experiences and changes between them. They were like two different people, who simply looked like older versions of the previous Amy and Declan.
“I have an idea. We should pretend we don’t know anything about each other, like this is the first time we’ve ever met. Start over, blank slate.” She swiped at an imaginary whiteboard.
He cocked his head. “Right here, right now?”
“Sure. Like one of those speed date thingies they used to do back in the day.” She offered her outstretched hand. “Hi, I’m Amy Holloway, nice to meet you.”
“I’m Declan Sheridan. I work as a bartender, but don’t hold that against me. I give great advice on any given night. I played major league baseball until I got injured, then I taught and coached high school baseball. Thinking about going back to it. How about you?”
“You see those little people over there? They’re mine. Twins, nine years old. Naomi and David.”
“I love kids and I’m not just saying this but yours look exceptionally smart.” He leaned back in his seat. “So, Amy. Are you thinking you’ll have any more kids? Or is two the limit for you?”
The question made her heart jerk as if coming out of a trance. These were exactly the type of questions asked on a first date. Or a dating app’s questionnaire.
After David and Naomi, she swore she wouldn’t have more children. How could she when she’d been gifted with both a boy and a girl at the same time? But everything hadchanged. She was looking across the table at a man who, in her humble opinion, should procreate because those perfect genes deserved to be spread around. And that wasn’t even mentioning his emotional intelligence. He’d be a great father.
“I want more kids. Yes.”
“Good to know.” He cleared his throat. “And I’m to assume that you’re not soured on marriage, since it didn’t work out the first time?”
“I would get married again to the right person. I like being married.”
He touched his chest. “I’ve never been married.”
“I won’t hold that against you.”
“Any old boyfriends out there I should be worried about?”
“Actually, yes. There is someone.”
“Ah. Thanks for the warning. Is he still in your life?”
