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“Do you love me, Kate?”

“I love you very much,” I reply sincerely. “All of you.”

His eyes close and he tips his forehead against mine, then sends me that sexy, naughty grin of his. “Let’s make those lists.”

***

Two Weeks Later…

“I would have hired people to unpack your things,” Eli says, as he wraps his arms around me from behind and kisses my cheek.

“That’s silly,” I reply, and hang the last blouse in the closet. “Besides, the thought of having strangers touch my clothes and underwear is not appealing.”

“Well, when you put it like that,” he agrees with a smile, and turns me to face him. He kisses me softly. “Welcome home, cher.”

“Thank you.” I smile widely, happy to be here in our townhome in the French Quarter. “I love this place.”

“I love you.”

I smile up at him. “I know.”

He swallows and cups my cheek in his hand. “Kate, Rhys told me about the baby you lost, and I’ve been meaning to find the right moment to tell you that I’m so very sorry for your loss.”

I feel tears fill my eyes, but his words are a balm to my heart. “Thank you.”

He kisses me softly, gently, his thumbs making circles on my cheeks, and I can’t help but hope that there will be other babies.

Lots of babies.

“Is the family here?” I ask.

“We are.” Eli’s mama’s voice comes from the bedroom, and when we step out of the closet, she’s smiling widely. “Hello, sweet girl.”

“I’m so glad you all came for dinner.” I hug the petite woman before walking toward the door.

Just before I leave the room, I hear her say, “Your daddy would be so proud of you, Eli.”

I grin and leave them alone, joining the others in the kitchen.

“Are you really living with Uncle Eli now, Miss Kate?” Sam asks excitedly.

“I am.” I smile at the sweet little boy and smooth his unruly hair down, then snatch a fried potato out of a serving tray that the caterers brought.

Eli had this gathering catered. He didn’t want me to have to deal with cooking dinner and unpacking my things.

God, I love that man.

“Are you okay?” Eli asks, as he wraps me in his arms and hugs me tightly, joining us in the kitchen.

“Why wouldn’t she be okay?” Beau asks, as he uncovers the shrimp gumbo. “She doesn’t start work until Monday, so you haven’t had a chance to be a hard ass with her yet.”

“How did your boss take it when you quit?” Van asks.

“He was fine when I explained that I didn’t want to travel around so much, and that Bayou Enterprises offered me a position.”

“I don’t want to think about the positions Eli offers you,” Charly grumbles, earning a glare from her mother.

Eli simply raises an eyebrow at me, a half-smile on his sexy lips.

“I’m great.”

“You’re amazing,” he whispers in my ear. “And all mine.”

I smile up at him, in the middle of the hustle and bustle of his family, laughing and talking, in our home, and know that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

“All yours.”

Epilogue

Three Months Later…

Rhys O’Shaughnessy

“It’s fine,” I insist with a growl, glaring at the doctor. My coach, team physician, even the fucking owner of the team are all here in this meeting. “I can play.”

“No, you can’t,” the doctor insists grimly. “You’ll tear that rotator cuff again in a heartbeat.”

“I’ve done the therapy,” I insist. “I’ve done everything you’ve told me to.”

“Yes, you have. Rhys, you and I both know that this happens to players every day.”

“Not to me.” I lean forward. “Not. To. Me.”

“He’s not saying you’re out for good,” Reggie, my coach reminds me. “You’re just out for the season, and it’s almost over anyway.”

I’m staring at the doctor, who’s looking back at me with tired, sad eyes. He and I both know the truth: the chances of me coming back are slim.

“What do I need to do?” I ask.

“Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep up with the PT, get it worked over by a massage therapist regularly to keep the muscles supple. Exercise.” He spreads his hands wide, as if to say, what else can I say?

“I’ll be back next season,” I promise the room, and I can’t help but wonder who I’m trying so hard to convince, me or them?

“And we’ll be excited to have you back,” Mr. Lyon, the owner, replies. “Get yourself well, Rhys. That’s the most important thing.”

We all leave the boardroom, and I walk briskly to my car, anxious to get out of here. Summer is hanging onto Chicago like a pit bull with a bone. It’s fucking hot.

I take off down the interstate, ready to be back in Denver, wishing Kate would be there to talk to. And, at just the thought of her, I know I need to hear her voice.

“Hello?” Her voice is full of smiles as she answers.

“Hey, kiddo.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m out for the season,” I reply, and check my blind spot to switch lanes. “Doc just confirmed it. They made me come all the way to fucking Chicago to tell me that I can’t play.”

“I’m sorry. I thought you already knew that.”

“I was trying to get back in before the postseason.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Keep working on it. Exercise. Get it healthy.”

“Do you have to be in Denver to do that?” she asks.

“No, I suppose not.”

“Then get your butt to New Orleans. I have the perfect place for you to stay.”

THE END

Click here for Asher and Lila's story, EASY WITH YOU, releasing March 24, 2015 from 1001 Dark Nights!

Other Books by Kristen Proby:

The With Me In Seattle Series:

Come Away With Me and on audio

Under the Mistletoe With Me and on audio

Fight With Me and on audio

Play With Me and on audio

Rock With Me and on audio

Safe With Me and on audio

Tied With Me and on audio

Breathe With Me and on audio

Forever With Me and on audio

Easy With You

Love Under the Big Sky Series, available through Pocket Books:

Loving Cara, UK, AU

Seducing Lauren

Falling for Jillian

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

An Anthology with Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kristen Proby, Melody Anne and Kate Meader

Table of Contents

Other Books By Kristen Proby

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Epilogue

Other Books by Kristen Proby