Casey broke into her thoughts by saying, “You know he can stay with us as much as you want.”
She tore her gaze from Mateo’s head and examined Casey’s expression. The offer appeared genuine, as if she’d given no thought to what she was saying.
“I do and I appreciate it but what about next week?”
Casey began to chew on her lip. “I don’t think he’d say anything.”
“That’s a hell of a secret to keep, Case. I’m not sure that one’s fair.”
Worry creased her brows. “I’m not sure it’s going to be a secret for long. I can’t become a hermit.”
“Your mom will be there.”
“Yeah. You rented them a house, right? I guess that might be a solution.” Casey gazed out the window. “Maybe I should have stayed home, at least for a couple of weeks.”
Her eyes were bright when she looked back at Allie. “But I needed to get away from the tension and the arguments.”
“I’m glad you’re here. I’ll have someone to bounce things off.”
“Yeah, we’ll be players, too. Tennis players. You’ll lob one over and then I’ll return the ball to your court.”
Casey leaned her head on Allie’s shoulder. “I’m scared.”
“That makes two of us.”
“I haven’t felt this vulnerable in a long time.”
“Like feeling naked?”
Casey blew her bangs off her face and sighed, “In front of the whole team.”
“Exactly.”
Seemed they were both taking an emotional risk that was filled with uncertainty. She’d willing entered a torture chamber and she’d given Mateo the tools to make her bleed.
Absent mindedly, she began to sing Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”
Casey sang along with her.
While they were harmonizing, Mac bent down and said, “Scoot over, Case.”
She looked up, apparently startled by the edge in his voice, but moved to the empty middle seat.
It was empty because when making the reservations, Allie made sure they’d have their own row. She could have been sitting here all by herself if Case had decided to stay back in Boston. If that had happened, the seat would have been available to anyone who needed to chat.
Mac wore a serious expression and he had his hands fisted together in his lap.
“What is it, Dad?”
He glanced around before speaking, his voice low and almost dangerous.
“What happened between you and Greg?”
She sunk low in the seat. “He called you.”
“He did. Why didn’t you tell me that you coming to Sanford with me was going to cause you problems?”
She pushed her glasses up and growled defensively, “It wasn’t a problem for me. Only him.”
He looked around again, and although there wasn’t anyone walking the aisle, there was the chance the people occupying the seats in front of them would be privy to the conversation. That it was the bench and fielding coach must have allowed Mac to feel safe enough to continue.
“You should have told me there was friction there. You know I’ll support whatever you decide but I want to make sure you’re not feeling so much pressure to come with me, that you’re making a life-altering choice because of it.”
Allie could feel Casey begin to fidget, but when she spoke, there was steel in her answer.
“I’ll never stay with a man who wants me to choose between him and my family.”
She heard Mac’s audible sigh.
“You’ll grow your own one day…”
Casey placed her hand on her father’s arm. “And I want you and Mom there with me, a part of my kids’ lives.”
“No one could get us to abdicate that, but your mother and I know when you get married, your husband has to come before us.”
“I’d have to love him more than you then, wouldn’t I? I didn’t love Greg that way and it was Allie who made me see that.”
Mac’s eyes flashed over at her. Her eyes widened.
She’d been trying hard to be unobtrusive. Surprised that Mac had chosen this time and place for this conversation, so she’d kept her attention on her laptop. It wasn’t her fault she’d been close enough to hear where the talk had veered to.
She held both her hands up as a protective move. “I didn’t say anything.”
Casey was quick to assure her father she hadn’t.
“She didn’t have to. I’ve been watching her with Mateo, getting to know him. I like her husband. Really like him. He’s kind, smart, talented, and humble. Greg was missing a couple of those key traits that make marriage workable. I want a man like that. And I’m not going to settle for anything less.”
Allie was shocked that it was her own relationship with Mateo that had gotten Casey out of what she’d thought was a bad situation. When Mac asked, “Charlie?”
She listened attentively to Casey’s answer.
“Will be fine.”
Mac leaned in and kissed her cheek. “In my estimation, no man will be worthy of you so if dumping Greg makes you happy, I’m all for it. I know someone else will come along who will, but you need to resolves some things before you take that step, Case. I think it’s time.”
The thought that that man had come and gone streaked through Allie’s mind but before it was completely gone, Mac said, a sardonic smile on his lips, “Maybe when Allie is finished with her husband...”
Her eyes narrowed at him as a heated flush crept up her cheeks. Mateo had an affinity for a mystic, for eating more meat than was healthy, liked watching I Love Lucy reruns, refused to get rid of his old clothing, played chess, and was early for everything, but no one was perfect.
“Sorry, Mac. Not sure that’s going to happen.”
She wanted to keep said husband, but it would depend on what said husband did while she was busy. Mac surprised her by saying, “I’m glad to hear it. You’ve been taking time off, laughing more, and you’re less intense. I know it’s his influence. As they
