Hot Corner (Baseball Romance) by PJ Chase Read Free Book Online

get a little better right now actually being here with you," Peter replied.
    "Ah, how sweet," Audrey said. 
    "It's just the truth," Peter replied. 
    A smile came to Audrey's face.  "Well, I just want to say on behalf of romance readers that I'm not like that."
    "What, you mean you're not going to trample my heart?" Peter joked. 
    "I think that's safe to say," Audrey replied.
    "You think?  What, you don't know?" Peter asked. 
    "Of course I'm not going to trample your heart.  I know what it feels like to have it happen to you and I'd never want to do something like that to anyone," Audrey explained.
    "I'm sorry you've gone through it too," Peter said. 
    "Yeah, well here's hoping those days are behind me," Audrey replied. 
    "I'd bet they are," Peter said.  "So you said you weren't the kind of romance reader that my ex was.  So what kind of romance reader are you then?"
    "I just read those books to escape," Audrey replied. 
    "Escape from what?" Peter wondered. 
    "Reality.  You know, when you have a bad day--when life isn't measuring up to what you want it to be, it's nice to have a little escape to a place where things really do end happily ever after," Audrey explained. 
    "That makes sense," Peter said. 
    "The key is to realize that it's just a story.  You know it's not real but parts of it can be.  It's a nice place to visit," Audrey replied.
    "And where did you visit in your latest book?" Peter asked. 
    "Hawaii," Audrey said. 
    "Hawaii, huh?  Did you have a good time?" Peter joked.
    "Of course.  It's paradise there," Audrey said.  
    "Sounds like it.  Have you been there in person?" Peter asked. 
    "No.  Only in books for now," Audrey said.  "But maybe one day in person."
    Peter smiled to himself.  "Interesting."
    ***
    "You know, I've actually been to Hawaii," Peter said, as they stopped at an ice cream store for a sweet dessert. 
    Audrey couldn't remember the last time ice cream to the backseat to a conversation, but after hearing Peter mention Hawaii, she suddenly couldn't care less about dessert.
    "Are you serious?" Audrey asked. 
    "Oh yeah.  I'm not just a baseball player.  I'm a surfer too," Peter said. 
    "You gotta be kidding me," Audrey replied.
    "I'm not kidding you at all," Peter said. 
    "Damn, what are the odds?" Audrey asked.  "So, since you know from experience, what's Hawaii really like?" Audrey asked. 
    "You got the sun and the sand right, but sometimes there's trouble in paradise too," Peter said.
    "You're breaking my heart here.  What could possibly be wrong with Hawaii?" Audrey wondered. 
    "Look, sometimes fantasy doesn't live up to the reality.  For example, it's great for a nice week long vacation, but living there full time is different.  It's so far away.  So isolated.  Just talking to the locals, they catch island fever.  Not to mention if your family isn't in Hawaii, that's a long trip just to visit them," Peter explained.   
    "Wow, I never thought of it like that.  Way to burst my bubble," Audrey said. 
    "Sorry.  I'm just telling you what I've heard from people that actually live there," Peter replied. 
    "Well, I think it's safe to say that the Hawaii Tourism Bureau won't be hiring you anytime soon," Audrey joked. 
    "Hey, I love it as a vacation spot.  And if you have a honeymoon, there's no better place to go.  But to live there forever--that's a long time," Peter said. 
    "It's funny.  Now maybe it's just because I'm a dreamer, but I only ever looked at the good of going to Hawaii," Audrey explained. 
    "Well, the problem with being a dreamer is that sometimes life gives you a rude awakening," Peter said. 
    "Yeah, life can be a real pain in the ass sometimes," Audrey admitted. 
    "That's an interesting way of putting it," Peter said. 
    "What can I say?  Life has put me in some interesting situations over the years," Audrey replied. 
    "But look, you could have different experience in Hawaii.  Results may vary," Peter said. 
    "Results may vary?