Page 20 of Just a Heartbeat Away

“If it isn’t my blushing bride!” Sadie called.

A very short black-haired woman with light brown skin strolled up, her hands in her pockets. Seb held out a hand.

“Sebastian Dorner.”

“Rae Malek.” They shook hands. “I’m Sadie’s fiancée.”

“Congratulations. Great girl you’ve got there.” Seb tossed his head toward the redhead still sitting on the ground and then paused. He wondered for a second if he shouldn’t have said girl. Maybe that was condescending.

“Couldn’t agree more.” Rae tugged Sadie up from the ground and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Ready?”

“Yes. Except for one thing.” Sadie turned to Sebastian with her hands clenched in front of her face and huge doe eyes.

“Oh boy.” Sebastian grinned at her. “I know that look.”

“What look?” Sadie asked, batting her eyelashes.

“It’s the I-just-did-a-huge-favor-for-Sebastian-so-now-I-get-to-ask-a-favor look.”

Sadie and Rae both laughed.

“Any chance you’re free on Saturday around 4:00 p.m.?”

“Sure,” Seb answered. “Matty gets done with karate at one, and then we’re free as a couple of birds.”

“Well, we’re part of a softball league and a few members of our team just moved to Weehawken.”

“Ah.”

“And according to league rules we have to forfeit if we don’t have a certain number.”

“Ah, well...”

“And, in particular, a certain number of men. It’s a coed team and we’re technically running a touch low.”

“A touch?” he mused.

“Just a skosh.” Sadie grinned at him, holding up two fingers in front of her eye. “A smidge.”

“We have fifteen women and two men. We need one more or else we have to forfeit.” Apparently, Rae was a straight shooter.

Sebastian could respect that.

“I’m not exactly a softball player.”

“Hey.” Sadie lifted both hands. “No judgment here about what you can or can’t do with your bat and balls.”

“Sadie!”

Rae looked horrified but Sebastian just laughed, tossing his soccer duffel over his shoulder. “I’m beginning to realize that you held back a lot when Matty was in your class.”

“I try to keep it profesh.”

He laughed again and allowed it to devolve into a groan. “I’ll only say yes if I can bring my kid.”

“Of course! I love Matty. Oh my gosh!” Sadie jumped and clapped her hands. “This is perfect!”

Sebastian said good night and whistled across the field for his dog and his kid. They tripped over one another and landed in a big hysterical pile. Sebastian smiled to himself as he untangled grass-stained kid from muddy dog.

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