Hot Corner (Baseball Romance) (6 page)

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?  You sound like a disclaimer," Audrey replied. 

"I like to bring a disclaimer on all my dates.  Warning:  in the event that you're having a horrible time with me, run away," Peter joked. 

"You can put your disclaimer away.  You're not going to need it on this date," Audrey said. 

"It's good to know I'm doing something right," Peter replied. 

Audrey smiled.  "I think it's safe to say you're doing a lot right."

"I should probably quit while I'm ahead then," Peter joked. 

"Oh no you don't.  I'm having too much fun," Audrey insisted. 

***

Eventually though, the night did have to come to an end.  Peter walked Audrey to her door with a glow in his eyes. 

"Well, this was a resounding failure," Peter joked.

Audrey laughed. 

"Oh yeah.  I don't ever want to see you again," she replied, sarcastically.

"So tomorrow wouldn't be good for you then?" Peter asked. 

"Nah, I'll be washing my hair indefinitely," Audrey joked.   

"That's a lot of time spent in the shower," Peter pointed out.

"Gotta keep clean.  Never underestimate the power of good hygiene," Audrey said. 

"Words of wisdom," Peter replied.  "Got anymore?"  

"I have to save something for the second date," Audrey admitted. 

"I thought you'd be washing your hair," Peter said.  

"Oh, right.  Well I'll be really clean when you come to pick me up," Audrey replied. 

"I can't wait," Peter said.  

***

"So, how was it?" Carla asked, waiting impatiently on the phone. 

"Mom, I just got back from the date.  Give me a second here," Audrey insisted. 

"Oh, come on.  I've been waiting all night to see how things would turn out," Carla said. 

"Wow.  I think you're more excited than I am," Audrey replied. 

"Now tell me, was I right, or was I right?" Carla asked.

"Well, you weren't wrong," Audrey said. 

"You just love keeping the suspense up, don't you?" Carla asked. 

"Don't worry.  The book club came through again," Audrey admitted. 

Carla was giddy with glee.  "I don't want to say I told you so--"

"But you're going to anyway, aren't you?" Audrey interrupted. 

"Honey, I've told you before--listen to your mom and you'll never go wrong," Carla said. 

"Don't get too excited.  It's just one date," Audrey replied. 

"Wait, aren't you excited?" Carla asked.

"Of course I am.  But I've been excited before about first dates.  I just don't want to get too excited is all," Audrey explained. 

"I understand.  How about this, I'll get excited enough for the rest of us?" Carla suggested. 

"Hopefully happiness will be here to stay this time.  But only time will tell," Audrey said. 

"I think you'll be pleasantly surprised," Carla remarked. 

Audrey was plenty excited, but she didn't want to lead on too much with her mom.  The question became though, would the second date be able to live up to the first?

Chapter Twelve

When Peter picked Audrey up for their date the next day, both were as excited as can be. 

"So what words of wisdom do you have for me tonight?" Peter asked.

"Wait.  Did I promise wisdom?" Audrey replied. 

Peter laughed.  "You forgot already?  Do you remember anything about last night?"

"I remember having the time of my life.  That has to count for something, right?" Audrey asked. 

"So you've just conveniently forgotten the wisdom you were going to share with me?" Peter joked. 

"Go figure, I'm not as wise as I thought," Audrey cracked back. 

"You should stick to what you're good at," Peter suggested. 

"And what's that?" Audrey asked. 

"Well for one, being beautiful," Peter said. 

"Really, you're going to go with that cheap line?" Audrey replied.

"I'm sorry, but it's the only cheap line I've got," Peter joked. "It also happens to be the truth too."

"Well thank you.  I was thinking you were going to go with something different though," Audrey said. 

"What else is there to compliment you about--other than your keen intellect and your caring heart?" Peter said.  

"Oh, come on.  How could you forget my razor sharp wit?" Audrey joked. 

"I thought it went without saying," Peter replied. 

"Don't you know?  You should never hold back when it comes to compliments," Audrey said. 

"In that case, we'll be here all night," Peter replied. 

"Well, what else do you have planned?  It's not like we have a date to head out on or anything," Audrey joked. 

"You're right.  Let's just sit in the car and I'll compliment you all night?" Peter replied. 

"Now you're just being ridiculous," Audrey said.

"Hey, I'm just playing to my strengths," Peter replied. 

"Well then carry on.  But if you're going to be ridiculous, I guess we won't be pontificating on the meaning of life then, huh?" Audrey said. 

"Do you make a habit of pontificating on dates?" Peter asked. 

"No.  I tend to stick with ruminating.  Or expounding if I'm really feeling ambitious," Audrey joked. 

Peter laughed.  "It's going to be one of those nights, isn't it?"

"What, you mean full of laughs?  I sure hope so," Audrey said. 

***

"So, what do you think the meaning of life is?" Audrey asked.

That was not the question Peter expected at the start of dinner.  Peter thought for sure that Audrey was joking, so he responded in kind. 

"I'm going to go with cheesecake," Peter joked.

Audrey was not joking though.  "I'm being serious here," Audrey said.

"Really?  I didn't know we did that," Peter replied. 

"What can I say?  You got me thinking," Audrey said.

"Alright, well it's simple," Peter replied. 

"Simple?  It's the most debated question in human history," Audrey said.

"True.  But to me, the meaning of life comes down to one thing," Peter replied. 

"And what's that?" Audrey asked. 

"Making the world a better place any way you can," Peter said. 

"Wow.  That's actually a really good answer," Audrey replied. 

"I can't take credit for it though.  My mom has been telling me it nearly since birth," Peter said.

"She didn't waste any time, huh?" Audrey asked. 

"Well, you only get this one life to prove yourself," Peter reasoned. 

"And are you doing that?" Audrey wondered. 

"I'd like to think so.  I help out whenever I can.  On off days I try to volunteer in the community.  I try to be nice to everyone I meet.  But you can't ever be sure if you're doing enough," Peter explained.    

"Yeah.  I guess you just have to keep doing what you're doing," Audrey said. 

"How about you?" Peter asked. 

"I think I'm doing alright.  But it's like you said, you can't ever be sure if you'd doing enough," Audrey said. 

"I'll bet you're doing just fine," Peter replied. 

"Thanks, but you know that's not your call," Audrey said.

"Don't I know it," Peter replied. 

Audrey smiled at Peter. 

"I think you're doing just fine," Audrey admitted. 

"Well thanks," Peter said. 

Audrey gazed into Peter's eyes.  "You know, I'm glad I've gotten to see this side of you."

"I know it's probably surprising seeing me do something other than cracking jokes," Peter said. 

"Yeah.  But it's the best kind of surprise," Audrey replied.  "Do you have any more surprises for me?"

"I think this is enough for tonight," Peter said.

"You're probably right," Audrey replied.

***

"Wow, look at this view.  What did I do to deserve this?" Audrey asked.

Peter had taken her to an off the beaten path part of Orlando with an amazing view. 

"I guess you could just say you were in the right place at the right time," Peter replied.

"Somehow I get the feeling that a little more planning went into it than that," Audrey said.

"You got me," Peter replied.

"Well I have to say, this is an unforgettable view," Audrey declared.

"You know, when I was in Hawaii, I saw a lot of great scenery.  But given the choice of being there right now, or right here with you, I'd pick here every time," Peter explained.   

"You just get sweeter by the minute, don't you?" Audrey asked.