The pitcher shakes off the sign from the catcher. I scoff because Santa Fe’s catcher is the best in the league. The closing pitcher shouldn’t be shaking off anything. But, damn, if he doesn’t do it again. Finally, he nods at the third choice. Winding up, I can tell from here it’s gonna be a fastball. Cael loves a good fastball. Squeezing Willa’s hand, I watch the ball release, and like in slow motion, Cael leans back in the box just enough. I know this it. This is the one.
The second we hear the sound of the ball cracking against the bat, I know it’s gone. Long gone. The crowd in the stands goes nuts. The players in the dugout do the same. By the time Cael gets to home plate, his teammates are waiting for him. It’s a big win against our biggest rival. I’d like to be down there with them. Glancing down at Willa, I smile. “I guess dinner’s on me.”
“I suppose it is.”
Her hand is still in mine, and I’ve got to say, it feels good. It feels right.
ChapterFour
HUDSON
It takesseveral minutes for our row to clear enough for us to exit. While we wait, I reach back and extend my hand, hoping she’ll take hold. I don’t want to lose her in the crowd. Just as we’re about to take the concrete steps toward the mezzanine, I hear my name. Looking up, I see a frenemy of my mother’s. “Hudson? Is that you?”
I give her a smile because that’s the way I was raised. My interactions with her have been short, which is good because I’ve never gotten a very good vibe from her. “Hello.”
“Mac.” She reaches for her husband, Mac McAllister. “Look who’s here.” She gestures to me. There are about eight hundred people attempting to exit this section, but that’s all at a standstill so Barbara McAllister can say hello. I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
“Hudson?” Mac approaches with his arm extended for a shake. I place my hand in his. “I haven’t seen you since the last Chamber meeting.”
“It’s been a while.”
He chuckles. “What are you doing slumming with the rest of us?”
I turn and do my best to bring Willa in closer. “I’m here with my girl.” I’m not exactly sure why I’ve taken this role as Willa’s boyfriend so seriously. Better question? Why do I like it?
Barbara McAllister glances down at Willa, then back at me. “Her?”
She’s as rude as I remember. “Hello, Mrs. McAllister.” Willa’s voice cracks just a little bit.
Barbara doesn’t bother responding. I’m not surprised, according to my mother, Barbara has “aspirations above her station.” My mother doesn’t have a lot of room to talk, honestly. I guess it takes one to know one, since my mother thinks of herself as a duchess. Hell, Dad even calls her that from time to time.
“Willamina Clariday?” Mac chuckles. “You’re with Willamina Clariday? One of my junior accountants?”
“Since when?” Barbara looks shocked at the news. “I thought you were seeing Monica Fitzgerald.”
“Rumors,” I snap. Monica would like nothing more than to make that happen, but she’s a terrible human being. I pull Willa in close. “Nope. Ever since I met this wonderful girl, I’ve been smitten.” That’s true. Everything from the freckles on her nose to the way she laughs with her friends and co-workers is attractive to me.
“Hm.” Barbara McAllister looks like the cat that ate the canary. She’s got information she can share with her coterie. “I can’t believe your mother didn’t share that news.”
“News?” Willa’s voice cracks. “What news?” She looks up at me with real confusion in her eyes.
She glares at Willa and snaps, “That he’s settling.”
That was a jab at Willa. One would ordinarily say “settling down,” but not Barbara McAllister. Nope. She’s almost as rotten as Monica Fitzgerald and if I’m being fair, my own mother. Nothing holds a candle to Marilynn Adler. Let’s hope Willa and my mother never meet.
* * *
“What are you hungry for?”We’ve made it out of the crowd, and we’re making our way to my car, which is parked very close to the stadium. “Chicago has some of the best restaurants in the world.” I’m biased, of course, but I’m not far off with my assessment.
“Oh.” Willa stops walking and faces me. “That’s not necessary. I know you were just playing along.”
“I––”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all you did today. It’s hopefully going to help Spencer realize that I’m not available.”
“Is he harassing you at work?”
“I–He isn’t… he bothers me, that’s all.”
