Page 29 of The Trouble with Players

“So, autographs tonight?” I said, trying to swing the conversation back to him since I knew he gave very little up without prompting.

“Yup.”

“You know it makes the little kids’ nights when you guys do that,” I said, having been one of those kids before.

His lips twitched. “With great power comes great responsibility.”

“I’m serious.”

“I am too. I take it seriously. I know what I say to them in that brief time means something.”

I took another bite of my omelet.

“And one day, when I’m in the majors, they’ll sell that autograph for a lot of money.”

I smiled. “Did you know the percentage of Cape League players drafted to the pros is under thirty-five percent?”

“Better than zero,” he said.

I liked his optimism. “Do you think you’ll make it?”

“Do you?”

My lips twisted in contemplation. “I hope not.”

His head shot back. “Why not?”

“Because it does bad things to people.”

He tilted his head, his eyes moving over my features. “I’m not other people. I make my own decisions.”

“You say that now. Then, fame and money happen.”

“When are you gonna tell me what happened?”

“When are you gonna stop asking?” I clipped.

He dragged his napkin across his lips. “Right now.” He reached into his pocket and tossed forty dollars onto the table.

“I changed my mind about you paying,” I said, digging into my own pocket and pulling out my credit card.

He reached across the table and rested his hand on my arm like he’d done before. I tried to ignore the little ripples that erupted beneath his touch. “I’m paying.”

“This isn’t a date,” I said.

“Oh, that is abundantly clear. You don’t date ball players,” he said.

“I’m glad you’ve been paying attention.”

His eyes locked on mine. “It’s hard not to.”

My eyes narrowed. Was that an insult or his attempt at flirting?

He pushed himself to his feet and I followed, not about to argue over a check. Once we stepped outside, we began to walk back toward the house, but I stopped. “You head back. I’m gonna stop by some of the shops.”

His brows knitted together. “What could the girl who has everything possibly need to buy?”

“I definitely don’t have everything.”

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