I barely heard the barrage of questions, and the statement, “Your new shortstop has arrived,” replayed repeatedly in my mind.
Assuming the press had caused my panic, Jonathan leaned in and reminded me to breathe. “Ignore the vultures; we’re almost done here.”
I doubted Tucker would approach me if I were with Jonathan, but I couldn’t stay glued to his side all night. He’ll need to socialize at some point, and I have never been the shy little wallflower.
“Sam is already in Florida. Pitchers and catchers left for spring training at the beginning of the week.”
I gritted my teeth and fought through the panic. Damnit. At least when they announced signing him, I had been mentally prepared for him to be in my space. To think I was worried about meeting Jonathan’s grandmother earlier today.
I caught Colby’s attention, and she waved us over. It was then that I noticed a tiny woman who had commanded the entire group’s attention.
“JJ, come here. Let me meet your friend.”
He kissed her cheek before stepping back and introducing me. “Nonna, meet Kendra.”
“Colby told me all about you. You’ll have to join us for family dinner tomorrow. As happy as I am to finally meet you, this isn’t the place to get to know you.”
I looked at Jonathan, and he nodded. “Sure, we’d love to go to dinner tomorrow.”
“Would you like a drink?”
“I’ll have what you’re having,” I said, leaving it up to him whether we drank tonight or not. I stayed behind, listening to his grandmother and Colby chat about the auction items and planning my bids accordingly.
When Jonathan returned with a champagne flute for us, I thanked him and took a sip. And my eyes met Tucker’s across the room. What the fuck, why was he coming over to us?
Jonathan’s hand rested possessively on my lower back when he realized Tucker was coming over to us.
“I thought that was you. Long time no see, huh, Kendra?” He ignored everyone around us, or maybe it just felt like I was his prey.
“Tucker.” I could barely speak, and it took everything I had to act unbothered in front of him and the rest of the group. “You know, Jonathan, I mean, Mr. Crosby.”
Jonathan took the cue and asserted himself into the conversation as I excused myself and slipped away to talk to Colby.
“That guy is a fucking creep,” she said under her breath.
“For real.”
“Oh, don’t look now, but Giada is here, and staring daggers at my brother.”
“Where?”
“She’s directly behind you and making her way over.”
“Is Tucker gone?”
“All clear. Claim your man. Or save him.”
Giada and I approached Jonathan at the same time. I pretended not to notice her as I leaned into him, his arm wrapping around me and resting on my hip. He glanced over at her as an afterthought.
“Oh, hi,” she said.
“Giada.” Jonathan’s reaction was stiff, but polite. “This is Kendra, my girlfriend.”
Giada and I both started with his labeling me as his girlfriend. While we had officially launched the relationship, it was the first time he’d used the descriptor.
I reached my hand out to shake her hand, and she reached out, her hand limp. Her attention went back to Jonathan, and she seemed to be waiting for him to say something.
“Looks like Garrett is looking for you. You might want to catch up with him.”
