Page 51 of Caught Looking

Technically. We met eight years ago and got along well. But we didn’t get close until four years ago. “And?”

“I’ve watched you. The guys you’ve given the time of day. Plus I know you. You’re independent. To a fault sometimes. You need a man who understands that. But especially one who knows how to get through that.”

“Okay…and how does Seth factor into this?”

“He’s almost as talented as you are. He’s got his own career. But he doesn’t want to be alone. You can tell that the minute you meet that arrogant ass. It’s all bluster. Then we wind up on that field.” She pointed at the outfield where we’d had our joint practice. “Most guys would get pissed they were being shown up by anyone, especially a woman. But not Butler. He took it. But even better? Heappreciatedyou for it. He looked at you like you were the answer to a question.”

I blushed from head to toe. I wasn’t sure why. I just…felt too much, maybe? “And how is that endgame? It just sounds to me like we’re compatible.” Forever,love, required a lot more than appreciation and an easy-going attitude.

She shrugged again. “Instinct. I know what I know. And you and Butler are a good fit. I like him for you. The more I see you together the more I feel it.”

Her certainty unnerved me so I changed the subject. And she let me…with a smirk. As game time got closer we ordered food and beer before taking our seats. We were right behind home plate. Jeri sat with me. Nan and Phoebe behind us, and Charley on my other side. The rest of the team opted for the suite.

The crowd wasn’t huge, it was the middle of the day in the middle of the week, but it was electric. I loved the buzz of live sports. It didn’t matter if it was men or women, soccer, football, basketball, or hockey. The energy was always the same—excitement and community.

Then they introduced the team. The crowd was excited but I was on the edge of my seat grinning like the lovesick fool I was when they called Seth’s name. He jogged over after the National Anthem.

I stood and came to the netting that protected the seats from foul balls.

“Hey babe.” He pressed his fingers against the mesh.

“Hey.” As my fingers touched his, he curled them in a tiny adorable hold.

“I like seeing you back here.”

“I like being here.”

He nodded to his right. “Come here.” He peeled back a section of the netting and reached through, his hand sliding along my cheek to cup the back of my neck, pulling me in for a quick, chaste, electric kiss. Right there in front of everybody. His soft lips fitted with mine, like he couldn’t stand being so close without kissing.

“Good luck,” I whispered. It felt like flying each and every time we kissed.

“Thanks.” Another wink, one last kiss, and then he carefully sealed the netting back in place.

The girls all howled.

“Ow! Butler and Ryan!” Jeri called.

Seth shot her a look and a grin, then glanced back over his shoulder, catching my gaze.

And my heart skipped a beat. Damn, I had it bad. But was this just a crush? Infatuation? Or was it more?

The hair on my arm rose up and my skin pricked as I realizedeveryonewas watching us. Fans had out their phones, taking videos and snapping pictures. The photographers on the field had abandoned their shots of the team in favor of shots of us. The video camera in the Mantas dugout glinted my way. We were on television.

Had he done that for the crowd?

Jeri yanked me down into my seat and held her beer up to cover her mouth. “That was not a stunt, Ryan. The man couldn’t fathom not kissing you.”

“I’m not worried.”

“Fuck you aren’t. You should see your face. You’re as white as a damn sheet.”

Shit. I wiped my doubts away and plastered on a smile instead. This was the problem with sitting behind home plate. I would have to watch every single emotion, every word I said.

“You’re sure?”

She slumped, looking at me like I exhausted her. “He’s not Owen. He doesn’t live for the cameras.”

She was right. We said a lot of pretty things about leaving the past in the past, but when push came to shove, it was hard to do. “Thanks for the reminder.”