Heath Darsey ground out too short, and the inning changed. A few of Tilly’s charges got up to leave. She smiled at them. It was impolite to move around when a batter was in the box, especially if you sat behind home plate, as it could distract the pitcher.
A general murmur in her section drew her attention to the other side of the row. Brayden was down there, signing autographs. Tilly sighed. That’s all she needed to do tonight: crowd control. She jogged up the steps, feeling the bounce in her overly tight muscles, and over to Brayden waving off several fans who were making their way down from the higher seats.
Brayden was all smiles for the crowd, but when their eyes met, something sparked just for her. She drew in a breath. The stadium sounds faded into the background, and all she could hear was her heartbeat.
He looked so good. Fit as ever, his broad shoulders filled out a Redrocks polo shirt. His hat was pulled low, and his jeans—heaven help her, he looked so good in a pair of jeans. Her mouth went dry at the sight.
“Hey, beautiful.” He reached out and brushed his hand down her arm. Turning back to the adoring fans, he said, “Is she treating you guys all right?”
Several nodded in agreement.
Tilly blushed and glanced away in time to see a line starting to form. “I’m sorry, folks. This isn’t an autograph opportunity, and the game is still going. Please return to your seats.” She hated sending them back to their seats looking so forlorn. One guy mumbled something about rich people getting all the perks.
“Excuse me?” asked an older lady with white hair who was sitting in the top row of the home-plate section. “What was that app you were telling us about? My husband wants a Redrocks Dog.”
Tilly went up a step to talk to her without yelling over those in the row below. Brayden moved with her. He reached over her back for the woman’s phone, his chest brushing against Tilly and sending shivers across her skin. “I can help with that.”
The woman about swooned. Her hand flapped to her chest and she blushed. “Would you?”
“Of course.” Brayden tapped on her screen. “Are you from around here?”
“Goodness, no. We came just for the game.” Her blush deepened.
Brayden grinned. “Well, you bought the right tickets. This lady is the best host in the park. We’re so lucky to have her.”
Tilly gritted her teeth. He was being overly complimentary tonight. His happy-go-lucky smile said he’d had a win. Well, if he thought flowers would smooth over everything …
The woman nodded as if she had caught on to the game. “Of course. She’s beautiful, too—all that hair. Like a regular princess.”
Brayden caught his chin between his finger and thumb. “I always thought she was more of a gypsy.” He handed the woman back her phone. “I’ve uploaded the app and put in an order for two Redrocks Dogs. On the house.”
She bustled and fussed. “Aren’t you just the sweetest thing?” Winking at Tilly, she said, “A girl couldn’t do any better.”
Tilly smiled with clenched teeth. “I hope you have a wonderful time tonight. Let me know if you need anything else.” She reached over and grabbed Brayden’s arm. Her hand wrapped around the warm muscles, and her knees went weak. “Can I have a word with you?”
He looked at where her hand touched his arm, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Sure.”
Before the accident, she would have hauled him into a corner for a make-out session after one of those looks. She’d be lying if she said the thought hadn’t crossed her mind in that moment. Instead, she took him up to the top of the stairs. People were watching them; some had their phones out. She had to be careful, so she kept a smile on her face. “Will you please go away?”
He leaned closer, the leather-and-pine scent of him hitting her like a fastball to the chest. Her fingers twitched with the need to grab the front of his shirt and pull him close.
“What?” he asked.
“You’re disrupting the game.” She waved weakly toward her section and then those gathered around hoping for a moment with the ex-pitcher.
He chuckled, the sound deep in his chest. With a shake of his head, he reached out and cupped her cheek. “I didn’t mean to.”
She sighed, fighting the urge to lean into his touch. “I know.”
His eyes sparkled. “I got the job, Tills.”
Her heart tripped with nerves. She hadn’t heard of any job. Arizona? LA? Where was he going? “What job?”
“Assistant Pitching Coach for the St. George Redrocks.” His chest puffed with pride.
She let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. That was his win. And he’d come out here to share it with her, probably right after he got the news. “Really?”
His other hand came to her other cheek. “You’re the first one I told. The only one I could think of when they offered me the contract.”
