Garrett nodded his head as if he understood and took a bite of pizza. “That’s what TJ expects then?” he said around his food.
She handed him the beer. “Since you’re on a first name basis, maybe you should ask him that question.”
“Wow, touchy. Actually, I was wondering if your low profile was self-imposed or not.” He trained his beautiful blues on her. “Before you go and get all huffy again, I’ll tell you that I like your dad, Jessa. I’d say that’s a good thing, considering he’s my boss. And he’s been good to me. Given me some great advice. Hell, he gave me a job. I’d say that puts him up there as one of my favorite people.” He sank back into the sofa, resting his arm along the back and looking entirely too comfortable in her space.
She sat forward and put her plate on the coffee table. “I’m sorry. You’re right, I am a bit sensitive about my dad.” Although she had no idea why she was telling him about it.
“Any particular reason?”
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Sometimes I’m painfully aware that I’m a girl. He’s taken a liking to you in a way I’ve not seen him do before.” She shrugged a shoulder. “Makes me think he wished for a son.”
Garrett leaned forward. “Can I tell you a secret?” He motioned her closer. “I’m glad you’re not a boy.”
Jessa’s heart thundered in her chest as his breath tickled her ear. His warm, earthy aroma drifted to her nose. He smelled clean, like fresh cut grass after a spring rain. No cologne to mask his natural rich, male scent.
“Yes, well.” She cleared her throat. “I’ve apparently misjudged you.” She looked him in the eye. “I’m sorry for this morning, Garrett.”
“Apology accepted. And?” he prompted.
She laughed, amazed at how he’d read her mind. She pushed at his shoulder, knocking him sideways on the couch “And, I’m sorry about that crack about my dad.”
He laid back and folded his hands over his stomach. “For what it’s worth, princess, I have no idea what I’ve done to deserve all his attention.”
The sincerity in his expression surprised her, as did the moisture that seeped into her panties when he called her princess. “You’re kidding, right?”
He remained silent.
“Garrett,” she chastised. “You’re the most promising shortstop to hit the club in, well, forever. You run like the wind, can hit practically anything thrown at you, and your glove is a mile wide.” Truth was, if the Empire hadn’t signed him, someone else would have. To say her dad gave him a job is a severe understatement. They were lucky to have him.
His cheeks reddened and he looked away from her. “Well, when you say it like that …” His voice was quiet. “Nothing wrong with being good at my job.”
Oh, my God. She’d embarrassed him with his own talent. “From what I heard this morning, you also take care of your family.” She turned to study him as a thought occurred. “You’ve been taking care of them for a long time, haven’t you?”
“All my life.” He muttered so soft she almost missed it. Then louder, “It’s just my mom, my sister, Leah, and me.”
“And your niece?”
He seemed surprised she’d remembered. “Yeah.” He exaggerated a sigh. “Georgia Grace. Another girl.”
He wasn’t fooling her. His eyes had shone with love the minute she’d mentioned his niece. Jessa’s heart melted. “I think I just figured out why my dad likes you so much.”
His expression turned serious, intense. “Does that mean you’re starting to like me?”
She winked at him, ignoring the flutter in her stomach. “Maybe a little.”
He reached out and cupped her face, stroking his thumb across her cheek. “Just a little?”
She stared back at him, struggling to breathe. She trembled, turned into his touch, and rubbed her cheek against his palm.
“I really want to kiss you right now,” he whispered.
She drew a breath as desire coursed through her veins. She licked her lips in anticipation, her voice nothing more than a mere sigh. “I won’t stop you.”
Chapter Three