I groan, and then question my reaction. I can’t remember the last time I wanted to spend as much time with another human like I do Gunner. Typically, I feel smothered easily, needing breaks and space and all of the clichéd terms you hear. Normally I’m good with the between-the-sheets part, but the out-of-the-bed part becomes stifling.

And yet, here I stand with Gunner’s heartbeat against my ear and my disappointment so very real.

“Can I be selfish and tell you that the last thing I want you to do is to head into work too?” I laugh and press a kiss to the underside of his jaw. “But alas, I must get some work done too.”

He groans like I did and we both laugh until his lips find mine again. “Tomorrow? Do you want to do something then?”

I think my kiss is answer enough.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Chase

“SO ANY UPDATES ON THE mystery baseball man?” Dekker asks across the Zoom connection. Her hair is up in a messy bun like mine is, but there’s also an empty container of Ding-Dongs next to her that she is completely shameless about.

“Not yet. I’ve been asking around but haven’t had any luck. Kelly’s working on it for me.”

“Then you’ll have an answer shortly,” she says, knowing how efficient Kelly is. “So what else are you doing other than being way too productive for someone who’s not in the office?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, sinking back against the headboard behind me.

“It means how many freaking emails did you send out yesterday?” I open my mouth and then close it because I did send quite a lot. “I mean, did we or did we not talk about you maybe finding something—”

“I am relaxing. I’m—”

“What have you seen?” she asks. “Where have you gone? I mean, if you’re out there doing more than just working and living some, then you should have some stories for me.”

“I do have stories. I have narrowed down the top three possible social media managers. I finally signed Micah Hanover, and we both know what a pain in the ass he’s been. I am in contact with a social media analyst to tell us what we’re doing right and wrong and how to appear more appealing to athletes. I have—”

“I’m talking about non-work stuff, Chase. Quit deflecting.” She rolls her eyes, then her husband, Hunter, walks by in the background.

“Save me, Hunter,” I say and put my own hands around my neck in jest.

“Ha. I’m out of this one,” he says and holds his hands up.

“Thanks a lot,” I mutter as he laughs.