King of Diamonds (All About the Diamond #2), стр. 45

the backpack and realize he already had it stored somewhere. I wonder what else he has hiding. The backpack has a pouch for a blanket at the bottom, two tube shaped spots for wine bottles, an area that can be kept cool and open space for room temperature food, utensils, napkins, etc. It has quite a bit of room, considering it’s not very big. I decide to make my chocolate chip banana bread and baseball sugar cookies for my sweet. I’ve been considering my savory options and I keep changing my mind. Maybe I’ll make up some Italian Sandwiches on Focaccia, and maybe some grapes or sliced up fruit, possibly some popcorn. I toss my beach blanket into the wash, and go to the store.

I wander the store picking up bananas that are a little over ripe, a tube of red icing, a fresh loaf of Focaccia, a variety of Italian meats and cheeses from the deli, a bunch of grapes and a take and bake pizza. I pick up some throw away plastic containers, so it’ll be easy to pack and nothing will get squished.

I get home and immediately mix up my sugar cookie dough. It needs time to chill before I slice it up and bake it. I turn the oven on to preheat. I mash up my bananas and mix up my banana bread batter, adding the chocolate chips last and pour it into a buttered loaf pan. I put the chocolate chip banana bread in the oven and wash the grapes, putting them in a container ready for the backpack. I move my beach blanket to the dryer and cut the Focaccia, seasoning the inside with garlic salt, basil, oregano, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil on both sides. I cover the bottom with provolone cheese, followed by layers of thinly sliced ham, pepperoni, and hot capicola. Then I top it with another layer of cheese and put the top on. I cut the sandwich into finger sandwiches and load them into plasticware. I really want something salty and I’m inspired to make some popcorn. I get a pot with a lid, put it on the flame and add some popcorn kernels along with some butter and olive oil. I put the lid on it and swirl it around until it starts to pop. I keep shaking it around and listen for the popping to stop, hoping I don’t burn it. I turn off the stove, and I give it a peek and a taste. I add some more olive oil, salt, some fine crushed red chili flakes and some grated parmesan cheese. I put the lid back on and give it a good shake, trying to get everything coated evenly. I give it a taste and I’m satisfied, so I package it up for the backpack. I check on my banana bread and it’s almost done, it needs a few more minutes. I get my sugar cookie dough out and slice thin round medallions, dip them in sugar and arrange them on my parchment lined baking sheet. I pull my banana bread out of the oven and slide my cookies in. I take the bread out of the pan to cool and it smells delicious, so I have a piece. I need to get some work done before Rick gets back. I can’t neglect my work because I’m having fun playing house with Rick Seno.

Interesting. Am I playing house with Rick Seno? Sometimes reality just slaps you in the face. First of all, I’m dating, no, I’m living with Rick Seno. Holy hell! I’ve gone from having a fantasy baseball boyfriend and dirty dreams to Rick Seno living with me and in my bed every night. Not only that, but he takes me out on date nights. We have fun together, the sex is amazing and he says he loves me. I know it’s true. I don’t understand why. He must be off his rocker. I worry that my unique brand of crazy will send him running away, but he’s broken, too. That might be what keeps him with me. Honestly, after the last few days I believe he really does need me. Before I thought he’d move on and date a woman his own age or maybe one of those hotties who are always hanging around the field. Somebody who would succumb to his desire to take care of them and pay their way. Not any more. He needs someone who can stand up to him and be his equal, it’s why he wants to take care of me and pay my way. We’re learning to be a team. Though, I admit, the beginning of this week was probably the hardest day of my life. I’m embracing my girliness, and even though I don’t want him to take care of me—I need him and I need him to be okay. I’d never felt things, said things, considered things that ran through my head on replay. Hearing my own voice and knowing it was me, I was the worried girlfriend. I don’t do those things! I’m independent! I’m self-sufficient! I don’t need a man or anyone else to take care of me. And I still don’t, but I want one. Only one. Only Rick Seno. The funny thing, or maybe not so funny thing is that I’m not playing. This is my life. This is what I want. It’s what Rick wants right now and I hope it stays that way. He's my soul mate.

Distracted by my own thoughts, I suddenly smell cookies and pull them out just in time. I move the cookies to the cooling rack and let them cool completely before the next step. I slice up some thick pieces of the chocolate chip banana bread and put it in plasticware, ready for the backpack.

I move on to my work, checking my email and social media. I reply to a few emails, but not much going on really. So, I