Page 31

“That was before—” For some reason my heart began beating even faster.

“I propose we leave the Doc and the manager here at the stadium. The two people who walk into Loretta’s for the world’s best pasta are going to be the bum you met at Reds and the overdressed beautiful woman at the birthday party. We’re going to laugh and talk and flirt just like we did that night.”

I held my breath. Was this a good idea or a terrible one? Keeping boundaries professionally was important. Mixing emotions and feelings might change things. But then again, Isaac and I hadn’t done anything to cross that line.

Yet.

Meeting him for dinner couldn’t hurt. We just had to keep from crossing that invisible boundary before my work was done.

“If I promise to be a perfect gentleman, would that help? I won’t even kiss your cheek.” His eyebrows rose in question.

And I couldn’t find it in me to protest. “If you promise, then yes, I’ll still meet you.”

He clapped his hands. “Hell yeah!” He grabbed my hand in his, squeezed, and then let it drop. “Two weeks, Kate. Be there or be square!” His eyes softened all over again and I melted, my knees wobbling. “I’ll call you when I get home tonight.”

11

Isaac

Ihad some damn comfy shoes for standing around the dugout all day, but they couldn’t compare to the way it felt walking around the field. It was like I had fluffy white clouds under my feet. Nothing could bring me down. Not only did I have Erik Cassidy and Rhett Ryan running practice drills with the rest of the team, but I was falling hard for Kate. And I was pretty sure she was falling for me too.

The Ansons were notorious for our impulsive decisions and I had a feeling that under ordinary circumstances I would have already fucked up my shot with Kate by going too fast and falling too hard. But because of luck or fate, or whatever the hell made this happen, we were living with very unusual circumstances. Instead of rushing into things, I was forced to take it slow.

And while I always thought slow was boring, it turns out it’s kind of fun. I liked the challenge. And okay, maybe I liked the long drawn-out tease that came with it. Instead of indulging and devouring, I had to wait and savor. The prize was still out of reach, still possible. All these years of consuming…I had no idea what I was missing out on.

Wes Allen dropped his heavy hands on my shoulders. “You’re gonna get yourself killed if you keep zoning out like this, Cap.” His facemask was pushed up on his head, eye black smudged under his eyes, gum smacking between his teeth.

I shook myself awake. “Thanks. Sorry. Won’t happen again.” I practiced with the team a couple of times a week. I liked the perspective and the chance to get my workout in. But lately I had been letting thoughts of Kate take up space in my brain when they shouldn’t.

“The right lady does this to a man. I suggest you stay off the field until you get used to the all-consuming need to be with her.” I tried not to look shocked, but I had a feeling I failed miserably when Wes started chuckling.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Ah, you’re in the denial stage. Got it. Well I’ll leave you to it, Cap.”

“What?”

He shook his head. “I’ve been there. Done that. Know the look well. My advice? Give in. Accept that you’ve lost your heart and your mind and you’ll never get them back.”

Erik, Hunter Holland, and Rhett jogged over to see what was up. “What’s wrong?” Erik asked with a nod.

“Cap’s in love,” Wes said.

All three of them squinted as they stared at me. “Oh…” Hunter said first.

Erik nodded.

“Yep.” Rhett agreed.

“I am not in love.” I barely even knew Kate. Sure I liked her. She was fucking sexy as hell and smart as a whip. But love? That possibility was way, way off in the distance. If ever.

“Denial?” Erik asked.

Wes nodded and the other men said, “Oh.”

Rhett grunted. “These fucks are annoying as fuck, but they’re always fucking right. Trust me. I just went through this.” Then he turned and pointed at each of them. “Fuck off. You know what this is like. Let Cap deal with this on his own. Back to your fucking positions.”

They all groaned and jogged off except Hunter. “You got this?” I asked as I handed him the ball.”