Batter Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls Book 1) by Robyn Neeley Page A

the mixture. The delicious orange cream cheese dip melted in her mouth, causing her eyes to roll back. “Amazing. Is that your mom’s recipe?”
    “The one and the same.”
    “It’s delicious.” Emma found the wine opener. “Where’s Carter?”
    “Running late. He sent me a text about five minutes ago. Told me to save him a seat.” She patted the blanket. “I’ve got one right here.”
    “Maybe Jason and I should leave you two alone,” Emma kidded. “I could go back to the Sugar Spoon and get started on tomorrow’s cupcakes.”
    “Nice try. You’re not getting out of this date, dear cousin.” She leaned back and winked. “Maybe Carter and I will leave you two alone.”
    “Do and I’ll kill you.” Emma meant that statement, but for some reason, her cheeks warmed at the idea of being alone with Jason.
    She went to work on the cork and changed the subject back to Carter. “Your fling was a gentleman for letting you know he’d be late.” Another courtesy Michael would have never thought to do. He always had an excuse, but rarely apologized.
    “I know, right? He’s too good to be true.” Abby looked around and frowned.
    “What is it?” Emma whipped her head over her shoulder and her jaw dropped. Caitlin approached them in a tight purple tank top and denim skirt. With her was Michael.
    “Hi,” Emma said coolly and yanked on the wine opener. The cork flew out, hitting her ex-boyfriend.
    “Hey, Emma, Abby.” Michael bent down and picked up the cork. “How are you?” He directed his question to Emma.
    “Couldn’t be better,” she said, attempting to sound like the fact that her ex-boyfriend was strolling the park with the one woman she despised more than anyone on the face of the earth didn’t bother her at all. “I heard you were back in town.”
    “Yeah.”
    “Is this a permanent thing?”
    He shrugged. “Think so. New York City wasn’t for me.”
    “Oh.” Emma sat with the bottle opener and wine in her hands. She really didn’t know what to say to him nor did she want to do this awkward reunion in front of Caitlin, Abby, or the whole town for that matter.
    Caitlin put her hands on her hips. “Don’t tell me your fling stood you up?”
    “Fling?” Michael asked.
    “You know. The annual Summer Fling. Our Emma paid a pretty penny for an out-of-towner. Looks like they already fizzled.”
    Emma smiled dryly. “As a matter of fact, my fling will be here any minute. He had to take an important call.” Her head was spinning. Why was Caitlin here with Michael? And why wasn’t she even the slightest bit jealous that Jason was with her?
    “Tell him I said hi.” Caitlin turned to Michael. “Let’s put our blanket down over there.” She pointed to a patch of grass a few feet directly in front of them and grabbed his hand. “You’ll have to excuse us,” she said, shooting Emma a smug smile. “Michael and I have a lot of catching up to do.”
    “You two enjoy the movie,” Abby called out. Prying the wine bottle from Emma’s stiff hands, she filled a plastic cup. “Here, drink this. It will numb the pain.”
    Emma tilted it back. It was gone within seconds. “I really couldn’t care less that they are together.” She gave Abby her empty cup. “More please.”
    “Hey there.” Jason came up from behind and slid down next to Emma. He glanced at the bottle of wine now half gone. “I see you ladies have started without me.”
    “Jason! You’re here.” Abby smiled and refilled Emma’s cup. “Not that I didn’t think you two would go through with tonight . . .” Just then, her phone buzzed. “Oooh, that’s Carter.” She began texting. “Looks like he’s having car trouble. I’m going to pick him up.” She put on her flip-flops and stood. “Can I trust you both to behave while I’m gone?”
    Jason nodded. “I’ll be a complete gentleman.”
    “Bummer.” Abby laughed. “I won’t be long.” She leaned down and whispered to Emma. “You’re with the hottest