Page 74 of The Triple Play

I blow out an unsteady breath. No matter how nice their words sound, how romantic I want them to be, I know the truth. This can’t ever be real. Someday, the fun we’re having will run its course, and this will all be over, one way or another.

Yet, I can’t bring myself to burst that bubble just yet.

Not tonight, at least.

“You both matter, too,” I say after a long second of silence. Neither of them says anything at first, but eventually, Griffin kisses the side of my head.

“C’mon, let’s get you home.”

The drive back to town is mostly silent, except for the ominous sound of a ticking clock inside my head.

31

OLIVIA

I don’t know what I expected from Isla’s house, but seeing as she’s married to a super-rich former baseball team owner, I’m surprised when I pull up in front of a fairly modest house in a quiet neighbourhood.

It’s cute, and someone obviously enjoys gardening, given the early spring plants already in bloom.

Clutching the bottle of wine I brought over, I approach the front door. Before I can knock, it’s swung open and Juniper’s there.

“Olivia’s here,” she shouts over her shoulder before turning back to me with a grin. “You’re just in time, first pitch is in ten minutes.”

I’m expecting the hug this time, so it doesn’t catch me by surprise, but her enthusiasm does. She squeezes me tightly, as if we’re longtime friends, and not two women who only met a couple of months ago.

But I'm starting to learn that’s who Juniper is. Exuberant, warm, and kind. I count myself lucky that she’s one of the first people I met when I moved here.

The inside of Isla’s home is cozy, clearly somewhere designed for comfort. I can smell something delicious coming from the kitchen and hear the sounds of the pregame commentary coming from the television.

A teenager I recognize as Isla’s son Charlie, from the Special Olympics day at the university, comes wandering down the hall, looking down at a cell phone. “Hey Aunt Juni, when Cal’s back, can you ask him if we can go to the batting cages again?”

“Luca already told you he’d take you anytime,” Isla chimes in as she walks out of the kitchen. “And how about you say hello to our guest?”

Charlie raises his head and gives me a guilty grin. “Hi.” Then he turns to his mom. “I know Luca said he’d go with me, but I promised Miles I’d try to get Cal to go.”

“A player is cooler than the former boss,” Juniper adds. “Everyone knows that. I’ll ask him, kid. I’m sure he’ll say yes.”

“Thanks.” Charlie’s expression brightens, and he heads to the kitchen. “Can we eat? I’m starved.”

Dinner is Greek-inspired wraps that we load up with toppings before finding a place in the living room just as the starting pitcher for the opponents takes the mound.

“Cal’s leading the lineup!” Charlie says excitedly, twisting to look at us from his spot on the floor. “Did you know that, Aunt Juni?”

“Yup, he was way too cocky about it before they left.” Juniper rolls her eyes.

“Have you and Cal been together a long time?” I ask, only for the room to erupt in laughter at what I thought was an innocent question.

“Sorry, we’re not laughing at you,” Isla manages to say after a second or two. “It’s just, Cal and Juniper. They’re not together. They’re friends.”

“Just friends,” Juniper adds, with extra emphasis.

“At least, that’s what they tell themselves,” Isla continues. “Even though⁠—”

“Shush. Your delusions have no place here,” Juniper interrupts Isla, even going so far as to place a finger on her lips.

“Okay, got it. Just friends,” I say quickly.

“The game's starting!” Charlie exclaims, and we all turn our focus to the screen.