"I know something you don't know." AJ sings quietly from beside me. 

The two of us work to clean up breakfast in the kitchen while everyone departs to get ready. Our family has a tradition of playing baseball the day after Thanksgiving, and luckily today is the last sunny day before the storms start rolling. 

Rolling my eyes, I sing back, "I don't care." 

He snorts, as if my lack of interest is a blatant lie, "Oh, so you don't care that I know you and lover-boy were making out in your room last night." AJ raises his voice, "MWAH- MWAH- MW- ouch!" 

The plastic plate I'm drying in my hand falls into the sink with a clatter after I throw it at him. My dad's voice can be heard from the other room, "What was that?" 

"Nothing!" I screech back. AJ snickers and I shoot him a death glare, "Shut up." 

He shrugs, pleased with himself. Nora comes in, grinning like the cat that ate the canary. She places a cup in the dishwasher and passes a look at AJ. Then the two of them are smirking at me. I concentrate on picking up the plate from the sink and washing it again. 

Nora clears her throat, "So, a little birdy told me you and a little birdy played your own game of charades last night. One word, four letters, seven minutes..." Her eyebrows wiggled excitedly. 

I shake my head at her insinuation and laugh, "Your little birdy deserves to be fired for false claims... and weak mindedness." 

"Hey!" AJ laughs, flicking water at me.

Facing Robin again downstairs after what happened was bad enough, but the suggestive looks from my family for the remainder of the night were far worse. At least, the ones I caught. To be totally candid, I spent the majority of last night staring at my shoes and screaming internally.

I've been thinking about that line a lot lately...  I think If a memory had the power to kill me, it would be that one. Then I'm reminded of him being struck with a look of pure regret and virtually sprinting out of room not two seconds after. That's when I decide otherwise. 

Robin and I started a new game since then: the "it's fine" game. We played it all last night and during breakfast. The rules are to never look at one another, and we can only use words of polite necessity. For example: "Will you pass me the butter?" "Sure." "Thanks." 

It's a riviting pass-time and not painful whatsoever...

"You must be a bad kisser," AJ remarks ever-so-helpfully, "I'd work on that if I were you." 

Grimacing, I try to summon all the patience of my ancestors, "Would you stop. He's in the other room! And I'm not taking kissing advice from the guy who said it's okay to use tongue when playing spin the bottle." 

"First of all! I shared that suggestion under the strict impression you already had your first kiss. Which makes it your fault for trying to take poor Cameron Hastings to first base before either of you were properly skilled." AJ replies defensively.

When I go to fight him on the matter, he raises his voice, "Secondly! Your boyfriend is showering upstairs. So we are free to tease you all we'd like until he's done." 

"Yeah, done taking all the water! He's been in there forever!" Joey screams from the other room, making it clear to me that everyone is listening in to the conversation happening in the kitchen. My heart skips and I look panicked at Nora who gives me the reassuring look I need. 

"Rosie is at the store getting lunch stuff for baseball. She went with your mom, the little ones, and gran." She tells me, patting my arm kindly. 

If I was noticeable, then poor Rosie's little crush on Robin was obvious. While everyone knows that it's all a bit of pre-teen whimsy, and bound to fade in a day or two, I didn't want her feelings to be harmed by careless remarks. So, conversations regarding the "r-word" as my family so clandestinely started to call it, were off limits while Rosie was around. Opportunistically, I started to sit next to Rosie a lot. 

"So, be honest, Leah." AJ prods more, leaning against the counter. Nora gestures that she wants a cup of coffee, and he takes to pouring one for her without another word. All the while he is talking to me, "You brought him home to meet us, you act like yourself around him and not like a robot, you two are clearly good friends, you can't stop blushing... you two a thing?" 

His tone fades from amused to protective with each word. There's a new concern in his eyes, as if the more he lays out my feelings the more he understands how serious they are. My stomach turns with anxiety, and I mentally relive every second from last night. Are we a thing?  There was no clear answer to that. We were a maybe a could be, but not a thing. 

AJ reads my face and exchanges a look with Nora who furrows her eyebrows with equal protectiveness.

 I shake my head, "It's complicated. We work together and there's a lot of red tape surrounding him and especially relationships. He wouldn't jeopardize my career, so I don't want to jeopardize his. Besides, he's an actor. This stuff is different for him." 

"This stuff?" AJ stares at me vigilantly. The longer my words hang between us, he starts to look irritated, "You're just trying to convince yourself that he doesn't like you back." 

I thought his response was a question at first, to which I immediately went to protest. That is until I registered the stern look on his face and the blunt tone with which he stated that observation. My heart drops intensely into my stomach, as if caught red handed and I swallow hard. 

"You don't believe he likes you back?" Nora folds her arms tightly over her chest, and she glares at me. Suddenly I am the potential victim of her wrath, "What are you, an idiot or something?" 

"No!" I retorted quickly, and way too defensively.

A chorus of "YES's" come from the living room belonging to Joey, Caragh, Jordan, my dad, and Grandpa. 

"Leah, the guy is head over heels! Everyone knew the moment you walked through the door. What the hell are you doing trying to talk yourself out of it? What's there to doubt?" Nora practically shouts, her coffee splashing a bit out of her mug when she throws her hand out in exasperation. 

I lift my hands up in surrender, "I just... He's important. I can't afford to mess things up, and feelings always mess things up!" 

Huffing, I pushed my hair back and looked out the kitchen window, "There was a moment, but he practically ran from the room before anything happened, and I realized... There's just no way. Attracted? Maybe. A little spark or moment of curiosity? Possibly. But how do you expect me to really believe that someone like him has serious feelings for me? He's a movie star for crying out loud!" 

"Curi--Curiosity?" Nora looks like she's about to explode. Her giant brown eyes bug out of her head, and she resembles my mom so much at that moment that I get chills. Nora's mouth hangs open, "You think he looks at you like that because he's a little curious?" 

"Boo!" Caragh shouts from the living room. "You chicken!"

Followed by Jordan and Joey who give a lengthy and heart-felt, "BOOO!" 

My father rejoins the familial heckling with a loud, "Boockk! Bock! Bock!"  To which my grandpa laughs himself into a coughing fit. 

I planted my face in my hands momentarily. My god.

Suddenly AJ gets the most devious look on his face that I've ever seen. Even Nora seems surprised by it, and a coil of dread forms in the pit of my stomach. My uncle runs his tongue over his teeth, and folds his arms over his chest, "You don't believe he seriously likes you? Fine... I'll prove it to you." 

"What does that mean?" I hesitate to ask. 

AJ grins at me with all his teeth, eyes glinting, "I'm calling in reinforcements for family baseball... Time to introduce Robin to an old friend and some healthy competition." 

"No!" I shout, pointing at AJ angrily, "Don't you dare call him, AJ! I will kill you slowly and painfully if you bring him anywhere near here!" 

"Are you sure, babe? You might drive the poor guy to desperation." Nora gives him a careful look, but I can tell she's secretly pleased with her husband's scheming ways. 

"Desperate times call for desperate measures, baby." Is AJ's wicked response. "Robin's our family now... And if this is what it takes to show Leah what's going on in that heart of his, then I'll do what needs to be done. For the family." 

"For the family." Nora nods solemnly, like we're suddenly acting out a scene in the Godfather. I half expect to see a gold chain and a cigar appear on AJ's person and for Nora's hair to become permed and grow in height by 3 inches. 

"AJ, I'm serious --" 

He's already dialing the number and holds his phone up to his ear, "Jesse! How would you like to play some baseball with the family today, man?" AJ grins at me, " Yep, we're keeping the tradition going.... Leah's in town, and I bet she'd love to see you." 

---

My stomach twists as we pull up to the fields. Already sitting in the parking lot is Jesse Carmichael. 

Jesse pushes off the front of his Jeep wearing dark jeans and a long sleeve shirt. He lifts his giant sunglasses off his face and waves. AJ waves back through the windshield then gives me an intended look over his shoulder. Nora smirks at her husband like he's an evil genius as she pulls into a parking spot. I take a deep breath, trying to steel myself up for the next few hours. 

Rosie, who is sitting beside me in the car, gives me a confused glance but doesn't say anything. On the other side of Rosie is Caragh who tries to smother laughter. Everyone knows, and loves, what happens when Jesse comes around. Which only makes the turning in my stomach worsen. 

We park and get out of the car at the same time the rest of my family arrives. Robin pulls up with my parents, Joey, Cade, and Jordan. My grandparents stayed behind to watch Oliva and Haven since they are still too little to play. The minute Jesse sees me, I wish I had stayed home too. 

Out of reflex I spare a glance at Robin who is helping my dad unload the gear from the truck. We still haven't spoken more than two words to each other, and I start to worry it's a permanent thing. 

"Well, well," Jesse smirks at me, blue eyes sparkling with excitement from under his baseball hat. He lifts it up and passes his fingers through thick ruddy-brown hair before pulling the cap over his head again, "Fancy meeting you here." 

I offer a tight smile, "Jesse." 

AJ snorts at my tone, too pleased with himself to feel any remorse. He shakes hands with Jesse, "Glad you could make it Jess! It's going to be a hell of a game this year. We have got a new player with us, and Leah, you know, is our best batter. We needed someone who could strike her out." 

If Jesse knows how to do anything, it's strike out. I want to grumble sourly but hold my tongue. 

Jesse stares deliberately at me, hanging his sunglasses over the collar of his shirt with an insinuative grin, "I'm sure we could start with stealing a base or two first. Just to warm up." 

Blech. I curled my nose at him and looked away toward the field. 

Jesse takes this as an invitation to tuck my shoulders under his arm and start steering us toward the rest of the group. I try to shrug him off, but he hugs me closer, "How you been, Leah? The writer life is treating you well. You're more gorgeous than the last time I saw you." 

He pushes further into my space, and I roll my eyes. Wriggling my shoulders again to create some space, I remind him, "Last time you saw me, I was throwing a drink in your face and walking away, Jesse." 

"Still your best angle," He winks at me shamelessly. "Though I'd be willing to explore others." 

"That, right there, is why you got a drink in your face." I deadpan, moving my arms between us and pushing him off completely. He complies, grinning mischievously, which makes me narrow my eyes at him, "Just so you know, I didn't want you here. So as far as I'm concerned you can get lost." 

Jesse grabs his chest, like i've just wounded him. Then he gets a smug look, spurred on by my irritation, "Look at me with those beautiful eyes again, and I just might."  

We meet up with the group just as he says this, and Jordan bursts into laughter when he sees the disgust on my face.

Everyone, including my parents, welcomed Jesse enthusiastically. They don't understand my intense aversion to him. Which is, of course, because he acts like a perfect angel once they're involved. He takes to smiling and captivating everyone like he has since the day his family moved in next to mine. My family finds his charm and persistence endearing. After being on the receiving end of it since the third grade, I find it infuriating. 

 AJ knows the truth about Jesse and is amused by his smooth attempts at seducing me. Since the two of them became friends a few years ago, AJ occasionally encouraged me to go out with him based on him being "not that bad" of a guy. To which I quickly remind him that being "not that bad" doesn't automatically classify him as good. 

The last event we all attended together was a mutual friend's wedding, where Jesse got sloppy drunk, stole a microphone, and proposed to me in front of everyone on the dance floor. When I said no and tried to leave, he made a comment pertaining to how my ass looked walking away from him. Hence, the drink in his face. 

"Robin, come over here buddy," AJ beams, signaling to Robin who is grabbing the last bag of gear. He slings it over his shoulder and shuts the tail gate of the truck. 

My eyes linger on the green flannel he's wearing. It fans out as he moves, showing the white tee shirt underneath. The colors compare nicely with the faded jeans he has on, and my heart skips at the familiar hat he has tugged over his head. It's the same one he wore to the escape room, a detail that makes me smile without thinking. He turns to pick up a bat resting on the ground before walking over to AJ, and I glimpse a baseball glove sticking out from his back pocket. 

How is he so cute?  My mind complains. I suddenly find myself desperate to kiss him, right there, in front of everyone. 

Robin joins our group, looking at AJ as he introduces Jesse, "This is our good family friend, Jesse Carmichael. He grew up next door and went to school with Leah. We work together at the same company now. Jess, meet Robin." 

AJ flashes me a look before saying pointedly, "Robin came with Leah this year, they're work friends." 

My cheeks start to burn when Jesse slides me a sly look, "Oh, really?" 

Then he's examining Robin with the arrogance of a million frat boys, extending his hand out, "Nice to meet you, work-friend-Robin. You sort her mail or something? " 

Someone, please, give me a bat, a rock, a janky lawn mower, anything to maim him with. 

For a moment I contemplate calling Desi and having her put a hex on AJ or texting Henry an SOS so he can come get me. Instead, I glare at AJ outright, who pretends not to see. My Dad turns his head to mask a chuckle, and Jordan hangs his head. The women in the group scowl at the men fiercely for finding Jesse's attempt at insult entertaining. Well, all except Nora. 

Robin lifts an intrigued eyebrow at Jesse. Those hazel eyes flicker over me, and I try not to cringe at the questioning look inside them. The corner of his mouth tugs down in an amused smile and he shakes Jesse's hand, "Something like that."  

"Alright, let's play ball, shall we?" My dad interjects, still trying to hide his grin. He glances at me, raising his eyebrows expressively, then chuckles, "We're losing daylight." 

My family starts to walk toward the field together. They chat and joke as they drift further away, leaving me with Robin and Jesse. 

"Okay." I say firmly, waiting for them to break eye contact. "Let's go, guys."

Jesse drops Robin's hand, simpering. After a minute he makes a "huh" noise, as if he's figured something out, then tilts up his chin. Robin's smile deepens a bit, unbothered by Jesse's attempt to size him up. His eyes flash toward the feild, as if to say, The game is that way, dude. 

The simpering smile on Jesse's face grows into a full-blown grin. He pivots toward me, holding Robin's stare until the last moment. That's when he pulls his hat off and tugs it over my head.

"Seriously?" I scowled, not wanting to be a part of his performance.

But when I move to take it off, he tugs it back down again more gently than I expect from him. Jesse takes the opportunity to move some hair behind my ear, and all at once his tone alters from its glib lilt, to a low flirtatious one, "Leave it on... It's unbelievably hot." 

My heart stops in my chest, and I freeze. It was one thing to have him say stuff like that to me on the side or drunk, but to openly hit on me in front of Robin... 

All at once I can feel the anger and panic rising in my throat like mercury in a thermometer. My shock produces a long enough pause for Jesse to take as acceptance. He smirks cockily at Robin, whose face is completely unreadable for the first time ever. The trace of a smile is gone, and his eyes fix Jesse on the spot.

Content with his work, Jesse tears his eyes from Robin long enough to raise his hands innocently at me, "Outside, I mean. We wouldn't want you getting a sun burn..." 

Jesse backs away toward the field with a grin, eyes gleaming at Robin. "Right, work-friend-Robin?" 

Robin's eyes narrow, just the slightest. 

Game on. 

----

Helloo lovelies!

How are we all doing? I am so STOKED!! Research Romance hit 3k reads and became #5 in the research tag today AHHHH! 

I wish I could dedicate chapters to multiple people because I totally would. So, just know that this chapter is dedicated to all of you! I am eternally grateful for your support and interest!  

As a thank you, I would like to give you and your book (if you are writing one) a shout out on my profile. I have a lovely group of friends and followers, so if you would like a shout out, please vote and/or comment on this chapter and I'll know who to include! :) 

Seriously, thank you <3 

Now, what do we think of the chapter?  This slow burn romance is starting to burn a little faster if y'all catch my drift here hehe! Some tropes are planned...  and some, it seems, just happen spontaneously for our little research team *wiggles eyebrows*

I hope you are all enjoying it. I look forward to reading any and all comments! 

Have a great weekend and I'll see you next time for more fun! :D

with love, 

e.g.