Over the Fence: Lyssa Layne's Baseball Romances by Lyssa Layne Read Free Book Online Page A

bad I can barely hold my phone, much less text Meg. I glance back at the table and see my two dates talking to him . Jace Richards. Deep breaths, Colie, deep breaths. What the hell is Jace doing in Port St. Lucie? His team is located in Viera, over an hour away. He and Grant both glance around the room as Benny chats, oblivious to their actions.
    I look down and notice I actually have cleavage tonight with the way the sweetheart neckline and bustier-style seaming fits. Smoothing my fire engine red fit-and-flare dress, I wish I’d worn something that didn’t draw so much attention to myself.
    I close my eyes and can see Jace’s long, narrow cheeks, those tantalizing blue eyes, and his button nose. Looking back at the table, those old feelings for Jace that never went away all rush over me again. The only thing that’s different is that his hair’s grown out. Right now it’s slicked back. Typically, it’s buzzed on the sides with an almost-mohawk thing going on up top. I sigh as I notice he still sports that sexy day-old beard that always drove me insane.
    Ducking into the bathroom, I finally unlock my phone and text Meg, who sends me reassuring words of confidence. A quick application of lip gloss, a breath mint, and I’m ready to face whatever might be waiting for me. I cautiously open the door and step into the hallway.
    When I look at our table, it’s empty. I take a timid step closer and my eyes search around, still not seeing any of the men. I’m about to text Benny when I feel a strong hand grasp my waist. My breath catches in my throat when I feel someone’s warm breath on my neck.
    “Everything okay?”
    I turn around, slightly disappointed to see Grant standing beside me in his khaki Chinos and white button up shirt only halfway buttoned. I force a smile and nod. “Yeah, I’m fine… who was at the table?”
    Grant’s hand still lingers on my waist and I relax with him nearby. I don’t even realize when I take a step closer to him.
    “Jace Richards from the Diplomats.”
    I have to decide whether to act impressed or play dumb. Apparently, I don’t decide quickly enough as Grant goes on. “He was asking about you.”
    My heart sprints and sinks at the same time, if that’s even possible. I haven’t talked to Jace in five years yet in the two minutes I saw him, it’s obvious my feelings for him haven’t changed. At the same time, I stand before another amazing man… and I have no idea how he feels for me. I’m getting ahead of myself, I could be worked up over both of them for no reason.
    “Oh? What’d he say?” I ask, trying to play it cool.
    Grant’s lips turn into a small smile as he answers, “He wanted to know who was with the pretty blonde.”
    My stomach drops. Did Jace not even recognize me? Wait—
    “What’d you say?” I demand a little more strongly than I wanted.
    Grant laughs and takes my hand, leading us back to the table. “Our food’s here. Benny says we have to try the garlic soup.”
    Grant pulls my chair out for me as I frantically look around the restaurant trying to spot Jace. I’m about to give myself whiplash when Grant hands me my wine glass refilled. “Drink,” he says. “I think you need it.”
     
    ***
     
    “It’s amazing how many stars you can see in the sky,” I remark as I lean over the balcony of the beachfront condo.
    Grant sits in a lounge chair behind me. “Not like in New York,” he comments.
    I turn around and face him. “Exactly.”
    We just got home from dinner and it’s a little after midnight. Jace never made another appearance and my nerves finally settled down. Benny always makes for great entertainment and ever since Grant’s comment about my presence being peaceful, I’ve felt the same way around him.
    “Colie… tell me what you want out of life. Your dreams, your goals…” Grant says.
    I turn back around and look up at the stars, thinking about how to answer. I shrug. “I don’t care where I am, I just want to be