"Well, maybe we can play more this week. It might grow on you."My reply is cut off when the cab stops again. This time we're in front of the large sign for AT&T Park, the Giants baseball stadium. Tall brick columns flank the opening for the Willie Mays Gate, the name written on the sign above the entrance, and palm trees grow out front.I get out of the cab and am busy enjoying the view when my brother rushes to my side and throws me into a big Ben hug."Ben!" I squeal as he swings me from side to side."What are you, a tourist? Standing there gaping at the buildings. You've seen a baseball stadium before."I don't explain to him that the first time I saw this particular stadium was the night Finn and I peeked through the fence and watched a few minutes of the game. My visits to Ben's were limited while I was in college. The city is still new for me. I want to enjoy all the cool places before they become part of the scenery.Rebecca, with her blonde hair swept back in a po

Marissa moved to Oakland when she finished college because she wanted to be with Cody. She's always missed the warmth of Southern California and has vowed to never make a major life decision for a boy ever again. Now I'm worried the mild temperatures of the bay will send her running home to warmer waters.I throw my keys on the kitchen counter, leave the lights off, and carefully lay my new dress over the back of a stool. At the fridge I consider finishing off the bottle of wine staring at me, but instead go for a soda. I'll make better choices tomorrow. It's barely eight o'clock, but it's been a long day.The black console sits on my entertainment center across the room. Finn left his game system here and since he's playing at the office and spending most of his free time with me doing other activities, he hasn't missed it. The blinking light on the front calls to me from the semi-darkness.I can't imagine Finn, my cute nerd with the dark brown hair and crinkles near his eyes ev

"And don't accept drinks from anyone you don't know.""Yes, Ben. I promise no drinks. I won't smoke and I'll use protection."Ben's terrified gasp surges through the phone. "Aspen! Don't tell me about those kind of plans with Finn. He came off as a nice upstanding young man. I would hate to have to kill him."I laugh. He might be a mere five years older than me, but Ben definitely has the big brother and father protector part all rolled into one. "Yes, Ben.""This is serious, Pen. There are a lot of dangerous people out there. I want to make sure you're safe. Do you and Finn need a ride?"What a horrific thought — Finn and I arriving at a charity event in a San Francisco Police cruiser. The thought alone makes me shudder. "No. That's okay, I'm sure Jake is going to drive us." I tuck an errant piece of hair behind my ear not used to the smoothness of tonight's straightened style."Well make sure to wear a seatbelt." He must hear my overdramatic sigh-moan combo at his last co

The conversation between them gives me time to survey the area. This room is fairly generic. It doesn't match the restored grandeur of the lobby. White walls meet a tough beige carpet produced for heavy use. The main outstanding feature is the tall windows, which line the walls and look out to the street on all four sides. To my right the view looks to the bay and I bet the people who end up living in this building will have a spectacular view regardless of which way their apartment faces."Any chance we can get to the top floor tonight and see your new space?" The question from Finn's father brings me from my perusal of the room. It's a question I want to hear the answer to as well. I hadn't considered I might be able to see Finn's new place, but now I want to desperately.Finn glances in my direction. It's quick, but I definitely don't miss it. "Sorry, not tonight. The workmen still have it locked up. It should be done soon though. My deadline is coming." His words sound grim rat

The musky sweet smell I've come to recognize as Finn catches my attention and I nuzzle my head deeper into my pillow to get a better sniff. A hand runs along my exposed hip and pulls me closer so we're draped around one another."Finn?" I came home alone last night, but I'd recognize his smell anywhere."Who else would be in your bed this early in the morning?" He turns me to my back and looms overhead, his piercing green eyes searching for an answer. "Or ever?"Still groggy I push his head away with a hand and try to roll over to get back to my original position. I'm not even going to ask how he ended up in my apartment or what time he came over last night. Finn stops my movement and rolls me back again."No time, sleepy head. Things to do today and all that.""How are you so peppy this morning? When did you get here?" I give up on my attempt to roll over but pull the covers higher to save some of the heat all this back and forth has let out."We fixed the server cooling p