26. Willow

Willow

RONAN: Peyton wants to know if you would like to join us for movie night…

RONAN: There's popcorn. And skittles courtesy of my daughter's new obsession. I blame a certain woman for that by the way. It's a good thing she's pretty, and I can't stop thinking about her, or I might have to be upset at her for getting my kid hooked on candy.

A giggle escapes me and I clap my hand over my mouth, hoping no one heard me. The media room is half empty, with most of my coworkers already gone home for the day. But Lydia's still in her office, and a few others are out in their cubicles finishing up. When no one asks me what was so funny, I relax and re-read Ronan's messages with a big smile on my face.

WILLOW: Oh, Peyton wants to know does she?

RONAN: Yup. Hey she can be very persistent when she wants something.

WILLOW: Hmmmm I wonder where she got that trait from.

RONAN: What are you insinuating, Cherry?

RONAN: That I'm the kind of man to go for what he wants? No lie detected there, I kind of have to be that way. How else would I be playing for the top Canadian baseball team?

I'm shaking my head as my thumbs fly over my phone, typing out a reply. His cheekiness is adorably endearing, and as risky as it may be to start something with him, I can't deny the happiness I've felt ever since dinner the other night. Ronan didn't stay after dropping me off but made me weak in the knees with a goodnight kiss at my door that went on and on until we both lost track of time. If my neighbour hadn't been headed home from their own night out and interrupted us, who knows how long we would have stood in my doorway, making out like teenagers.

WILLOW: I said nothing…

RONAN: You didn't have to. I know what you're thinking.

WILLOW: Really? What am I thinking right now?

RONAN: Let's see… You're thinking about what kind of pizza you want me to order for dinner tonight. Pey and I are partial to ham and pineapple, but will eat pepperoni if we have to.

WILLOW: Good thing I love ham and pineapple.

RONAN: So you're coming? Peyton will be thrilled. See you later, beautiful.

I drop my phone down on my desk, and after quickly looking around to make sure no one can see me, do a little wiggle of excitement. Something about this man makes me giddy like a girl whose crush has finally asked her to prom.

There's not a chance of me being productive any longer. I shut down my computer, grab my purse out of my desk drawer, and head for the elevator.

"Willow, can you come here?"

It's a good thing no one can see me cringe at Lydia's shrill call. Turning around slowly, I compose my features. "Actually, I'm just heading home for the day."

From her office doorway, she glances up from her phone. "Well, I need to discuss the content plan for Coaches Corner on the blog. I'm not so sure these questions will interest our fans." She looks at me expectantly, and I realize just how much I've enabled her behaviour from years of simply giving in and doing her bidding with little to no boundaries. It might be too little, too late, but goddamn it, I don't want to stay here and deal with her when I've got a wonderful man and his adorable little girl waiting for me.

"Sorry, Lydia, that will have to wait. I have an appointment." The white lie falls off my tongue, and I'm not immune to the fact that with Ronan and I finally giving in to our feelings for each other, more lies are in my future.

Her sound of discontent almost has me wavering in my decision. After all, I still need to stay on her good side until they announce her replacement — which, hopefully, is me.

Her response comes as a surprise. In a gruff voice, her gaze once again on her phone, she says, "Understood. But I expect to see you in my office first thing tomorrow, Willow."

I muster up a smile and a nod of acknowledgment. "Got it. But for what it's worth, the questions were all generated from a poll of our existing fans via email marketing. This is what they've said they want to know."

With that final word, I turn and press the elevator call button, praying it comes quickly. The doors open almost instantly and I step inside, breathing a sigh of relief when Lydia doesn't try to hold me up any longer.

Less than an hour after leaving the stadium, I'm standing on Ronan's front step, wringing my hands together. My earlier excitement has faded into nerves. It's one thing to go out on a private, luxurious date with the man, it's another to visit his home and spend the evening with him and his daughter. This feels big. Monumental. Bigger than us spending an entire night together, even, something we still have yet to do.

I'm raising my hand to press the doorbell when the door swings open, and Ronan leans against the doorframe, lips curved up in a knowing smile. I can't help it, my eyes drop to his bare feet, sweep up the grey joggers that hug his muscular legs to the T-shirt that looks so soft and comfy, and finally land on his relaxed, happy face. This is Ronan in his element, possibly as much so as when he's on the baseball diamond.

"Were you planning on coming inside or just spending the evening on my front step?"

I let out a little huff. "I was about to ring the bell."

He steps forward, swiftly kissing me on the lips. "Good. Because Peyton would be really disappointed if you didn't come inside."

Vulnerability bleeds through as I look up at him. "Only Peyton?"

Ronan grabs my hand and lifts it to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. "She'd be disappointed. I'd be devastated."

Why I needed that last little piece of confirmation he wants me here, I don't know. I've never been the insecure type, but maybe it's because I recognize just how big of a deal this is — him inviting me into his home to spend time with him and his daughter. Maybe it's because, deep down, I know this relationship is already different from any other I've been in.

Keeping my hand in his, Ronan takes a single step back into his house. He doesn't pull me with him, instead letting the space between us grow, giving me the power. I can follow or not.

I step inside.

"Willow! You're here!"

Peyton's excited shriek hits me the second Ronan closes the door behind me. His hand trails over my lower back, and I feel the whisper of his lips on the back of my head as he walks past, into the kitchen, just in time for Peyton to come running toward me from the same direction. This time, I'm ready for her, dropping into a crouch.

"Finish line!" she yells as she flings herself into my arms, and there's no hiding my massive smile. This girl is pure joy and sunshine wrapped up in an adorable package. Her energy and excitement is infectious, especially when it's all directed at me.

"Hey, kiddo, thanks for inviting me tonight."

"I told Daddy we had to watch Moana because Heihei is your favourite." She breaks free of my hug and grabs my hand. "C'mon. We can start it now that you're here."

We walk through the kitchen, where Ronan looks up from plating pizza and cut up veggies to give me a happy smile, and into the large space that overlooks the backyard. When we saw the house months ago, this space was staged as a formal sitting area. Now, it's been transformed into the ultimate family room. A large comfortable-looking sectional is covered in a pink fuzzy blanket and stuffed animals are lined up in a row. A play kitchen is off to one side, kids' books are stacked on the coffee table, and the mantle is covered with photos, all of Ronan, Peyton, and Ronan's mom. I wander over and look through them, each one only making my heart melt even further for this family. The love between them is evident in every single photo and every single inch of this house.

"Okay, who's hungry?"

I turn to see Ronan setting down plates on the coffee table. Moving closer, I ask, "Can I help with anything?"

He glances up with a smile. "Go and help yourself to a drink. There's wine or beer in the fridge, and if you wouldn't mind grabbing Peyton's water on the counter, that would be great."

I walk to the kitchen, absorbing all of the cozy family vibes as I hear Ronan tell Peyton to go and wash her hands. Footsteps scamper off and then warm arms wrap around my waist.

"You look amazing, Cherry." His lips land on my neck, and I tilt my head to the side to give him more access. "Keeping my hands off you until Rocket goes to bed isn't going to be easy."

"Why do you call her Rocket?" I ask as I turn in his arms, looping mine around his neck. I'm guessing we don't have long before Peyton returns, but I'll take this stolen moment with him.

I'll take any moment I can have with him.

Love for his daughter is etched all over his face as he replies, "Because she's fast as a rocket. Always has been. As soon as she started to walk, she started to run, and she hasn't stopped ever since."

"Daddy, can I start eating?"

We spring apart at Peyton's voice, but she's not in the kitchen, she's already on the couch, rearranging her stuffed animals. Part of me worries she might have seen Ronan and I embracing, but he doesn't seem concerned, so I guess I can let it go.

"Sure thing, baby girl," he calls out. Then, squeezing my hip with one hand, he reaches into the fridge and pulls out a beer, tilting it toward me. I shake my head and go for the bottle of wine instead, my hand stilling when I see a jar with bright red cherries inside.

Glancing back at Ronan, I smirk and raise my eyebrows. His gaze travels to what caught my attention before he leans in close.

"Can't help it. You've got me addicted to cherries."