Out of Left Field

North Bay #1

by Stephanie Giese

Sometimes the best things in life pop up out of nowhere.

I’m not looking for a man, let alone a baseball player. Definitely not a minor leaguer who doesn’t even know how to pick a steamed crab. This is North Bay. Baseball and crabbing are a way of life. This town is in my blood, it’s where I belong. Mike Miller showed up with his big dreams of signing with a better team, and he already has one foot out the door. I don’t want a man who won’t stay. I’ve had enough of those. So, why can’t I get him out of my head?

I need to keep my head in the game and my butt out of trouble, but I can’t seem to do either of those things around her. There’s too much riding on this season, I can’t afford to be held back. But Danielle makes me feel like I am worth something, and North Bay is starting to feel like home. Those are things I haven’t had for a long time. Too bad I’m not the kind of guy who deserves them.

Out of Left Field is Book 1 in the North Bay series. This is a standalone baseball romance with medium heat.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Sports, Fiction, Baseball, Small Town Romance

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

Stephanie Giese specializes in creating cozy chaos. Since we know you're wondering, her last name rhymes with "rice." If you like small-town romance and tropes like found family, you're in the right place! Stephanie writes lightly spicy love stories and classic romantic comedies intended to make you laugh out loud while also addressing more serious concerns like mental health, treatment, and consent. Originally from Maryland, she now lives in Florida with her large family and one very naughty beagle.

In addition to her contemporary romance books, Stephanie's writing has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and three humor anthologies, including the New York Times best-selling I JUST WANT TO PEE ALONE. In 2021, she worked in collaboration with her oldest son, Nicholas, on the memoir ALL I NEVER KNOWED, which addresses the children's mental health crisis in America. Her parenting articles have been featured on HuffPost, Good Morning America, Parents Magazine, and the Today Show. She has also worked for multiple non-profit organizations as a parenting "expert" (which she thinks is hilarious, as she never claimed to know what she was doing).

After a fifteen-year career creating parenting content and working as a children's mental health advocate, Stephanie decided to focus on something new that made her smile. At the top of the list? Romance novels. She is now the author of the North Bay romantic comedy series, which begins with OUT OF LEFT FIELD.

Follow her author journey on TikTok or Instagram @stephaniegieseauthor

Visit her website & sign up for the newsletter to receive free bonus scenes: https://www.stephaniegiese.com/

Purchase signed copies and book boxes: https://www.etsy.com/shop/stephaniegiese

Reviews

[Grace Btrs · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎨 Palette Cleanser Vibes
This was such a light touch palette cleanser, perfect for when you want a nice romance with characters that have depth but don’t want to think too much.

🎧 Audiobook Flirt
The audiobook is even better in its duet format with Andi Eloise and Brandon Francis narrating, their chemistry flooding through the lines. Honestly, it feels like they had way too much fun, and we’re the lucky ones listening in.

📚 First Impressions Matter
This is my first book by Stephanie, but her writing is so smooth and full of punchlines and fun times, even when she’s telling us some hard truths. Consider me intrigued and definitely coming back for more.

😬 Danielle, Girl…
I did have a small issue with Danielle and how she acted so judgmentally towards Mike when he told her his story. I would have liked the repercussions and her realisation of her faults to carry more weight. At least she earned her forgiveness in the end, and let’s be real, she and Mike do sound so great together.

👀 Future Ships on the Horizon
I’m seeing a frenemies-to-lovers and another brothers’-best-friend stories in the future of this series, and I am so here for them. Bring on the drama, Stephanie.

Thank you NetGalley, Binkies and Briefcases, and Stephanie Giese for the ALC.

--
Pre-read:
Big house clean up = earphones on for this baby🧹🎧🫧

--
I seriously requested this 5 min ago on Netgalley and just got approved for the duet audiobook!
I'm so excited because I love Andi Eloise and Brandon Francis together🥹

[Leticia🌻 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

This is the first book I read from Stephanie Giese and I enjoyed her writing style. Out of Left Field is a story set in the small town of North Bay, Virginia, known for crabs. Crabs is the logo of the local baseball team and the only diner in North Bay is known for serving dishes that feature crabs.

The story follows Danielle, who grew up in North Bay with her grandma, Honey; and Mike, a baseball player who just relocated from Idaho. Danielle and Mike had incredible chemistry and their story was very cute. Loved that the author took the time to fully develop these characters and incorporate personal struggles to each of them. Will definitely be reading the rest of the series to read about the other couples in the town.

TW: addiction, complex relationships with parents.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.

[Tay_is_reading_again · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

This was such a cute read!! I listened to this audiobook and the narrators, “Brandi” aka Andi Eloise and Brandon Francis, were FANTASTIC in this duet narration style!!

At first I was terrified this was a friends to lovers situation (one of my least favorite tropes). But this ended up being a sports romance, small town, acquaintances to bf/gf situation. On the surface, this may seem like a sweet contemporary romance; however, this deals with some deep issues such as addiction and addiction recovery, adding depth to our MMC and side characters.

This was my first book by Stephanie Giese and I was SO impressed this was a debut! I’ll absolutely be checking out other books in this series!

Thank you to the author and Victory editing for the advance listening copy!

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!! I received an ARC copy of this and I am so so so glad I did!! Especially considering the fact that I read this in a day…

Out of Left Field is book one in the North Bay Series and it is a slow burn, small town, baseball romance/ romantic comedy. It does have a little spice so it’s intended for adult audiences. But this book is full of humor and heart and I truly truly enjoyed every second of it.

This story follows Danielle Daniels, a small town waitress at the local seafood restaurant and Mike Miller, the new shortstop for the local baseball team (cmon, you have to admit the double alliteration is so cute!!) Neither of them are looking for anything serious but when dad jokes and crab eating lessons bring you together… what are you gonna do!!

This book was everything! I’m not normally one for cutesy straight up romances, but I could not put this one down. Danielle is so relatable to me and I saw a lot of myself in how she approaches things and sees the world around. Seeing her open herself up to love even though the unknowns are scary was honest and refreshing and hopeful. And i think a lot of people will see parts of themselves in her character and will truly enjoy following her journey of falling in love.

Now, Mike Miller. Is. Literally. Perfect! Talk about finding a new book boyfriend. He is tall, sweet, thoughtful, funny, ugh he’s everything haha! I don’t wanna spoil anything but he has his struggles and shadows in his past and I think Stephanie Giese handles the issues he deals with honestly and respectfully, and it was a direction I didn’t expect this story to go, but it felt very genuine and like the start of a conversation that should be addressed more and that’s all I’ll say on that.

Overall, this book felt like falling in love. It was awkward in the best way, it was giddy, it was hopeful, it was tender and it was beautiful. It wasn’t spicy (only like two scenes) but i feel like the romance in this book makes up for that. Because if nothing else this book screams romance but in a very real and understated way.

One of the main highlights of this book truly was the characters and their relationships with one another. From the best friends to the grandma (who is the most iconic wingwomen ever!!) to the teammates to the leads, these characters and this story feel so tangible it felt like I was right there with them the whole time. I truly loved this book. It was a perfect balance of friendships, falling in love, humor, familial relationships, and had a theme of living in the moment without fear of the future.

all in all this book was 4.5/5 stars for me and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the North Bay Series has in store!!

[Ashley Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!
This book officially took my sports romance V-card, and I couldn’t have picked a better way to dive into the genre! I listened to the audiobook, and it was so good—the narrators were absolutely perfect.

If you’re a fan of Abby Jimenez, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up. It gave me major Abby vibes with its mix of heart, humor, and relatable characters.

Mike is the ultimate cinnamon roll MMC—like, truly a saint. I spent so much of this book wanting to shake Danielle and yell, “He’s PERFECT, open your eyes!” Chapter 14 alone had me screaming, smiling, gasping, and laughing—especially when Mike shares his secret (jaw on the floor) and then that third base moment? I was dying 😂 And Mike’s reaction? Absolutely adorable.

There is some spice, but it’s not explicit—just the right amount and perfectly done for the tone of the book.

I’ll definitely be reading more from Stephanie Giese—this one is a home run. ⚾💙

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may have been my first sports romance!

The story follows Danielle, a college student and waitress at The Blue Crab, and Mike, a rookie on The Blue Crabs baseball team. Danielle is accustomed to people leaving her, except for her grandmother, Honey. Meanwhile, Mike struggles with being judged by others because of his past. Their paths cross at an event hosted by The Blue Crab restaurant, where they serve... blue crabs.

After Mike, being a gentleman, drives Danielle home from the restaurant to ensure she makes it home safe at night, invites her to one of his games. However, he forgets to get her number or provide his. When Danielle attends the game, Mike cleverly writes his number on a package of M&Ms—there's a specific reason behind that choice.

The book features its share of twists. Danielle's best friend, Jake, tries to take their relationship further and drunkenly interrupts Dani and Mike one night. While some might lose their cool in that situation, Mike handles it gracefully and steps in to help manage Jake.

However, Mike isn't without his own issues—he carries a secret...

Read this book to find out more about Mike's secret and Danielle and Mike's story.

[Art Rat · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

4.5/5 stars

Mike and Danielle were so cute! This book is fast paced and an easy read that follows the story of Mike who is a baseball player and Danielle who is a waitress. Both characters are extremely likable and are easy to connect with. If you enjoy sports romances then I definitely recommend this but do keep in mind that this book does involve addiction.

My only complaint with this book isn’t an issue with the book but more a preference thing. I am not a fan of miscommunication or books where one character isn’t willing to try and understand the full story when there is an argument. At one point in the story the book does have that which is not as enjoyable to me but after that part I enjoyed the book a lot and thought it was very cute!

Thank you Stephanie Giese for the opportunity to ARC read and review this book! I can’t wait for his book to be released and for the rest of the series to be released as well!

[Crissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one very much!😊

I got to listen to this story and absolutely loved it! A super sweet and cute slow burn rom com. I definitely giggled a handful of times throughout this book. Her grandmother Honey was so sweet and sassy, the bits she was a part of were a great add to the book. Danielle and Mike were very well written. Their story from the very beginning had me intrigued. Their chemistry was pretty good in this book as well. I would definitely read more of her books, she did a great job with this one! 👏🏼👏🏼

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audiobook was amazing! Super cute book

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC read 3.5 ⭐️

I received an ARC of this book and what a ride it was. The dynamic between Danielle and Mike is charming in a classic fairy tale way. They hit it off immediately and the tension is well built throughout the story.

They find their stride pretty naturally with how chivalrous Mike is with his concern for Danielle’s well being. Even faced with Danielle’s life long friend Jake, Mike takes the moral high ground and protects Jake after he rudely interrupts Danielle and Mikes first kiss. These actions all make Mike seem like the perfect guy until he shares his past with substance abuse that Danielle begins to have doubts.

After a series of very unfortunate events, Danielle discovers a bottle of narcotics in Mike truck prescribed to his roommate. Fear drives Danielle to blame Mike and assume he relapsed. Even with Mike pleading and being honest, Danielle leaves him on the side of the road, wondering if she had made a mistake.

As luck would have it, both Mike and Danielle have fallen too hard for each other to truly give up. After a not so chance meeting at the restaurant Danielle works at, Mikes roommate clears the air about the pain pills and admits they forgot them in his truck.

Now that Danielle has mulled over the truth she knows the only way to truly apologize is to sing amazing Cher karaoke at the local bar. This wins Mike over and the two quickly recover the lost time and finally admit their feelings for each other.

The introduction of Jake felt more ominous and the vibe of the possessive life long friend was not great. Once Danielle went to visit for their date to the gala it was clear that Jake and Danielle’s story line were not going to take a HEA path. Jake’s reckless choices and possessive behavior made him feel more like the villain in a story where there are no true villains.

The supporting characters Alice, Honey, and Jordan are all great and help to balance the chaos that Danielle, Mike, and Jake are going through.

Trigger Warnings: There are discussions of substance abuse, rehab, and parental neglect that occurs throughout the later half of the story. The topic and discussion is brought about naturally for honesty amongst characters and for character growth.

[rachel :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
this was my first ever arc read and i was so pleasantly surprised!!! mike and danielle’s romance was quite the wild ride. mike, our mmc, is just the sweetest and most thoughtful shortstop i’ve ever read about. i loved his sense of humor and his maturity. danielle, our fmc, was also very witty and funny. her personality was so dynamic and added to the story line and romance very well. it was definitely a little more on the fast paced side of the romance building, but their relationship truly made sense. the author, stephanie giese, did a good job implementing some heavier real-life issues into their relationship and i thought she handled them nicely. slowly getting to know mikes backstory was so so good. my jaw dropped when i first found out about his history! (no spoilers here) although the romance was on the faster side, it was definitely realistic with all the outside factors affecting them and their journey in love. this small town baseball romance was such a fun easy read! it was really easy to get into and stay involved! there was never a dull moment with the side characters either! the community in North Bay was heartwarming to say the least. all the sass and puns flying around had me giggling quite a few times. overall, i have a new book boyfriend! i definitely recommend reading this one and i can’t wait for the next book in the series!!

[Maddie Baldassari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC. This will be available April 8th.

I really liked this story. It was lighthearted but also touched base(pun intended)on complicated issues with grace. Didn't rush through, not too many story lines to keep up with.

The characters were likable and I enjoyed them as a couple. I appreciated the dialogue being that of typical early 20 somethings. Their conversations and flirting reminded me of being that age and newly in love while working through big feelings.

I think I also had an extra adoration for this because I am from Virginia and related to parts of the story and I worked in minor league baseball for a few years and was even engaged to a player before that ended but parts were familiar.

Minor league baseball did eventually end up being the avenue from which I indeed met my husband just slightly different way 😍

I began rooting for Alice and Jake halfway through the book and also I am here for a Jordan and Shelly journey too. Looking forward to my next visit to North Bay.

[Jordon Abel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

ARC Book Review from Book Siren

This is a captivating read that takes you on an emotional journey through the complexities of youth, identity, and the love of baseball. The narrative is skillfully woven, featuring a diverse cast of characters that resonate with authenticity and depth. Giese's writing style is engaging, effortlessly drawing readers into the world of her protagonist, whose struggles and triumphs reflect the universal challenges faced by many young people today.

The story's exploration of themes such as friendship, acceptance, and the pursuit of dreams is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. Giese does an excellent job of balancing the excitement of baseball with the more profound personal challenges the characters face, making the stakes feel high and the outcomes deeply satisfying. The pacing is well-structured, with each chapter leaving you eager to turn the page and discover what happens next.

This is out on 8th April, definitely worth the read, and has the topic of additicion.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this book 2.5, maybe 3 stars. I had a real hard time with the writing, the plot, and I had a hard time connecting with both characters. I don't typically like insta-love stories, and they just fell in love too quickly for me. I didn't care much for Danielle; she did a lot of things that just irked me. Mike's history was interesting, and I liked him overall, especially with how honest he was.

*Insta-love
*Student/Baseball Player
*Addiction
*Quasi love triangle

Format: audiobook narrated by Andi Eloise and Brandon Francis

Thank you NetGalley, Stephanie Giese, and Binkies and Briefcases, LLC for the ALC.

[vanicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the cutest! I love the story line.. and this author had me craving my favorite crab legs lol .. but back to the review! This was a cozy romance, but the author put some reflection of hard topics in here which I loved and definitely wasn’t expecting! The story flowed together so nicely and Danielle and Mikes love blossoms! I can’t wait to read the second book in the series.. you can’t help but to fall in love with the characters and the storyline! Loved Honey she actually reminded me of my granny. This was such a good story! Highly recommend 5/5 stars!

[Antoinette Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not crying you’re crying. Going into this book I was prepared for two things. Dad jokes, and a bit of spice. What I got was so much more. Mike is an incredibly deep character, and probably one of the most patient MMCs I have yet to read. I wanted to THROTTLE Danielle at one point but it all came out okay. This book is absolutely worth a read & a listen. As the duet narration done by Brandon Francis and Andi Eloise was phenomenal.

[Jennifer Wycech · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baseball romance
Small town
Short romance
Addiction recovery rep

Duet narration - Andi Eloise & Brandon Francis
These two are great together.

A great Romantic comedy short listen. It’s full of hilarious dad jokes and heart.

The character development is on point. I started the audio and could t stop. I did not want it to end but was so pleased with the HEA.

Stephanie’s writing is cute, fun, and easy to follow.

[Jana Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ I’ll round up! 🌶️.
A super cute rom com!! I love this so dang much!!!!

[Jennifer Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute! I’m hoping the next one will be about Jake… definitely will continue the series. Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy and introducing me to this author.

[Hayden Faaborg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
ARC Read

[Mary Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a perfect palette cleanser. Full disclosure, I did win this one in a Good Reads Giveaway, but I don't let that sway my reviews. I adored the banter in this one and the self-discovery of the FMC who finally attains the man she's dreamed of only to find he is no longer what she wants. The vulnerability and open communication from the MMC is the stuff of dreams. This was a very cute and quick read.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Format: Audiobook
Narrators: Andi Eloise & Brandon Francis
c/o NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

The narrators were great as this is truly a great lineup for narration and neither of them can do wrong. They did a great job.

The story however wasn't my favorite. There was potential. There were some holes in the character development and the ages for the dramatic life events involved + severity wasn't built out well. The FMC wasn't very likeable. There were times you thought she was mature, then she was the polar opposite. The initial spice made me cringe. This just didn't hit for me. I wanted to like it so much but I really think this was more of a 2.5 rounding up to 3.

[Lindsey Lester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to receive the audio of this book! I really enjoy duet style audio books so this one was a fun listen!

This is part of the North Bay series by Stephanie Giese, this is book one and it follows the fmc Danielle and mmc Mike. Danielle is a collage student and waitress and Mike plays for the Blue Crabs baseball team. I liked how Mike cared for Danielle even when they first met. He made sure she was safe and taken care of. I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters and the silly dad jokes they both make. It was a super cute rom com with great banter and a slow burn. Mike and Danielle both struggle with things from their past. This adds depth to the characters and made them feel real. I liked that there was representation of mental health and a focus on treatment and the work it takes to grow and recover. Also, Honey Danielle’s grandma was funny and she was a great side character!
I can’t wait to continue this series!

[Jazmine’s 📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars- I received this ARC and I’ve gotta say that I really enjoyed this! There was some wit, a bit of banter, I enjoyed the relationship building and character connections. I liked the characters (Honey was great!). I loved that it was sort of love triangley, a bit of childhood friends to almost lovers (lol). I was rooting for these characters!!! There are content warnings so check them. Although they didn’t bother me. There was some spice, one of the scenes were like WOAHHHHH🤌🌶️. I enjoyed the writing style and the Dual POV. The pacing was nice and the plot was enjoyable. Check out my Booktok account linked in my profile for the full review!!

[Roberta Timmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as an arc, and i am so happy I signed up. I could not stop reading this book. I love Honey and Edna. I enjoyed the banter between the characters, and I love seeing the characters grown and work through the problems.
Highly recommend this book. Can't wait for number 2.

[Mahlia Kendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! Danielle is our MFC, and she’s a waitress in a small town. Mike is our MMC. He’s new in town and is a baseball player for the local team, but he’s also got a secret. These two characters have an instant connection, and their relationship is just so sweet & heartwarming! But there’s a possible love triangle with another character!👀 BONUS: lots of dad jokes, which I absolutely loved! 😂

DISCLAIMER: I received this book as an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca Aleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Reader

I loved this book! It was a cute romance story that touched on real life struggles that many couples face. Struggles with friendship, work, school, addiction, family, dating and balancing it all while trying to cope with trauma from the past. But at the end of the day being able to own it. Plus you throw in a sports romance where the guy falls first! I absolutely loved it! Cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy when it releases!

[Courtney Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable read! I laughed out loud several times, many of them courtesy of Honey but Mike’s dad jokes definitely earned an honorable mention.Mike really stole the show here-so many romantic moments (the m&ms GOOD GRIEF 😍) and adorable pining. This book does have some heavy themes around addiction and recovery that might be too much for sensitive folks but I appreciated the care the author took when discussing difficult topics. I’m looking forward to book 2!

I received a free copy of this book from BookSirens in exchange for my honest feedback-all opinions are my own.

[Mindy Altland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet, relatable, story! I was an ARC reader for this book and, while it is not in the range of the typical genre I read, I was very excited to check it out as I have always loved Stephanie’s writing style. I was not disappointed! This is a stand alone story in a series that Stephanie is working on and I highly recommend giving this a read when it releases. It touches on romance, addiction and just small town life, in general. I cannot wait to read the second book in the series!

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danielle, twenty-one works at the Blue Crab in North Bay, Virginia. She works there to earn money for her jr. college AA degree. She has one month left until graduation. Her boss is Edna and her grandma, Honey is are best friend. The two of them are the biggest characters and gossipers, too. Let there be a disaster hit you'll want those two on the phone tree, then to get the help you need. When Danielle’s ex ended their relationship, it took three months for her to be able to make it through a shift without customers asking how she was doing.

Danielle was fine, by the way. Eventually. If she’s learned anything in life, it’s that people rarely stick around. Men rarely do. That’s okay. Who needs them? Danielle is secure being single. She just doesn’t want to talk about her self-centered ex every time someone orders a crab pretzel. Is that too much to ask? And in North Bay crabs are their jam. In North Bay, Virginia it's known for three things: blue crabs, the Blue Crabs, and The Blue Crab. Promise those are three different things. Oh, boy are there crabs here.

Lots of them. It's their location on the Chesapeake Bay, they are a prime habitat for the crustaceans that mate along the East Coast. Plus, their crabs really are blue before you cook them. That’s why they named our minor league baseball team the Blue Crabs, and it’s also why Edna Plum dubbed her restaurant The Blue Crab when she opened it in 1987. Danielle doesn’t think anyone would be surprised to discover what’s on the menu. Spoiler alert: It’s ninety percent crab.

Does it even surprise anyone that’s where Danielle works? There aren’t a lot of choices especially when the bulk of her time is spent either at school or work. The town is so small, they’re talking only two traffic lights within a ten-mile radius. Thanks to the Blue Crabs baseball team and their minor league stadium about twenty minutes outside of town, we also have a steady supply of professional baseball players, most of whom are in their twenties and passing through on the way to bigger opportunities.

Praise be for that revolving door of testosterone (not that any of it is directed her way). Otherwise, the only option for the single folks would be to cycle through the handful of guys who have known us since we were in diapers. As my BFF Alice would say, a hearty no, thank you to that. “Here, I made you a seafood club to go.” Jackson reminds her before she leaves work, “Don’t forget we are hosting that crab feast after the game tomorrow.” Jackson hands her a foam take-out box that contains her favorite item on the menu.

“Thank you. You’re my favorite. And you can count on me tomorrow. We’ve got this.” She can’t help her smile when she sees the notification that came from Jake, the friend she had saved in her contacts as the “Boy Next Door.” BND: Hey. Let me know when it’s a good time for a quick call. Me: Free now if you are, College Boy. He is the one guy she’s always been able to count on.
Although, technically, Jacob Gibson did not live next door. He lived in his parents' house across the street.

We met back before either of us could walk or talk, but we became real friends around age five. It was when her grandfather passed away, and her mom and she started spending more time in North Bay to be near Honey. Besides his annual return for a few weeks each summer, Jake hasn’t lived with his parents for three years. He got himself a scholarship to Virginia Tech, and now he’s at school full-time, three hours away. “Hello?” Danielle adjusted the vent to blow cold air. She scanned her surroundings to make sure no one could see her before she unhooked her jeans and let her muffin top free.

That button had been digging into her stomach for the last three hours, and she almost moaned in relief. “Hi, Dan-Dan.” She rolled her eyes as Jake greeted her. He insisted on calling her that just because he knew the nickname irritated her. Why her mom named her Danielle Daniels, she didn't understand. “What’s up, Jake?” ​
“Hey, so listen. We’re hosting this philanthropy event to raise money for charity, and I thought maybe you’d be into it. It’s actually kind of several events, a full weekend of different activities.

There’s a bonfire and a bunch of other stuff. Then Saturday night there’s a formal gala, which is basically a dance with a silent auction at the end. “I’m asking if you’ll come out and be my plus one for this stupid dance. It’s next weekend. I know it’s a long drive and short notice. Plus, I’m asking you to, you know, get out of the house, talk to strangers while you wear a dress. But I thought maybe you’d do it for me? Pretty please?” Her phone buzzes. He sent a selfie. Jake’s making a puppy dog face with a pouty lower lip.

The word “please” is flashing in the corner in a neon cartoon font. “Does that help you make a decision?” “You’d rather take me than a girl who is actually attractive? Um, ouch, but fair I guess.” “That’s not what I said, and you know it. You’d be doing me a solid. Otherwise, they’ll make him go with this chick from their sister sorority who doesn't have a date yet either. She refers to him as, ‘the tall one obsessed with Lord of the Flies.’” ​“Yikes.” Jake’s entire left arm is covered in The Lord of the Rings tattoos. It’s his favorite book.

“But if she’s so hot, surely you can overlook these tiny flaws in your future bride.” She teases. ​He doesn’t take the bait. “Come on, please? Don’t make a man beg.” ​“Ugh, fine. As long as Regina can take my shifts.” “Cool. Thanks, Dan-Dan. Looking forward to it.” ​“Text me when you have some more information about the events, please. And don’t call me Dan-Dan.” ​“Sure thing, Dan-Dan.” ​Click. A whole new game. “Got it,” our pitcher, Lincoln, calls the ball, it's coming right to him. This should be an easy out.

We run this drill at every practice. Of course, our shortstop, Davis, wants to be a hero and calls for it at the same time, so Lincoln backs off, and the ball lands on the ground between them and rolls just out of easy reach. We are supposed to be professionals. The most frustrating part of being benched knows that if he could be out there these errors wouldn’t keep happening. He doesn’t mean to sound ungrateful, but he knows he’s damn lucky to even be alive after all the stunts he pulled on his way to get there.

They lost that game. He’d take over the family business of the Miller Family Funeral Home. Rodriquez reminded him that at least they were going to eat well at the crab fest. He still wasn’t totally on board with this whole eating of the bottom feeders of the sea that everyone seems to love. So when he meets the voluptuous waitress he couldn't take his eyes off asked to be his tutor he promised he would try. In walks Mike a player on the Blue Crabs baseball team. There was an instant connection when they met, but they both had rules on how they chose to live their lives.

A past that affects their present. His is to make it to the pros and hers is to stay there in North Bay and not to date someone who will once again leave her behind. This turns into a love triangle. With the boy who didn’t see her when she was right there all along. But went off to college to have his fun and now wants her when others notice her. And a man who has the potential of a career that will possibly take him to another state and leave her behind. Their chemistry is stronger than any other romantic notion she’s ever had about anyone before. Will she stand her ground?