Page 28 of Finding Out

“I will hold you to that statement.” I shot him a teasing smile.

He pinched my thigh lightly, tickling me until I squirmed.

“Cut it out.”

With a laugh, he released my leg. “You really think I need to give Jasper another chance?”

I shrugged. “I think he meshes well with your team. The guys seem to love him, and the way he and Winters work their side of the infield is magic.”

“I’m aware of that.” He nodded. “Am I boring you with baseball talk?”

“Not at all. You know me. I love the Revs. I hardly ever miss a home game.” Although a big part of the reason was because I got to see Tom. Tease him. Work for his attention.

For a minute he quietly watched the road, but eventually, he grasped my hand and brought it to his thigh. Then he dove back into his worries for the team for next season. The last hour of the ride went too quickly, and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye when we approached my apartment building.

“I’ll walk you up,” Tom said, pulling up to the curb.

“Are you nuts?”

He frowned, still holding tight to my hand.

“Even if you could escape the ticket, you can’t leave a million-dollar painting in a car at the curb.”

He glanced over his shoulder and swallowed thickly. “Oh, right.” It was almost as if he’d forgotten about his painting again, but I didn’t believe that could be possible. “I’ll at least get your bag out.”

He opened his door and disappeared behind the car. I climbed out more slowly, wishing our time together didn’t have to end. I stepped onto the curb and he passed me my overnight bag. When I straightened on the sidewalk and turned, he was there, studying me. He lifted his hand and carefully tucked my hair behind my ear and shifted forward slightly. For a moment, I thought maybe he was going to kiss me. Instead, he froze, his gaze darting one way down the crowded Boston street, then the other, before he stepped back.

“I’ll call you?”

The words settled oddly in my stomach. I couldn’t tell whether it was excitement that he might or dread that he’d thrown the phrase out with the intention of brushing me off.

“Sure.” With a wave, I left him standing on the curb. And it took everything in me not to look back.

Avery: Did you make it back okay, or was the snow an issue?

Me: No, I got home last night. I’m at the auction today.

Jana: That’s right. Want to grab dinner after?

Me: I can’t. Probably going to be stuck here until late.

Jana: Avery?

Avery: We’re going with some of Chris’s teammates to the Bolts game. Wanna go?

Jana: Hell yeah. Although with the way those guys are pairing off, there won’t be anyone to flirt with soon.

Avery: Even Bosco. You should see how cute he is with Harper. Although Evan might be pissed if he heard that you want to flirt with athletes.

Jana: Evan gets me. He’d justroll his eyes.

Avery: Wren, if you want to swing by after I’m sure Mason has extra tickets. His box holds like a zillion people.

Me: Sorry, just seeing this. The auction was ridiculously busy, but everything sold. Even my snow bridge.

Jana: Emoji of a crying face

Jana: Were you tempted to punch the person who bought it?

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