Page 30 of Nailed at Home Plate

“Well, I…uh, kind of…have to research all the guys that join the team.”Smooth, Cadence. Real smooth.“I need to have some sort of uh, understanding of their background. A few of the guys are retired MLB players. Most played college ball. Some play as a hobby with some wicked ass bat or ball tricks.” I couldn’t help but let out a crazed laugh. “Sometimes I feel like I’m some sort of elementary school teacher trying to get the dirt on new students. Ninety-eight percent of them have no dance experience.”

“Including me.”

“Especiallyyou. Honestly, you’re the worst of the bunch.” My laugh was much more genuine that time. It wasn’t fair. He had this air about him that made me relax. That is when I wasn’t thinking about how hot he was.

“I didn’t exactly expect to have to dance to play baseball,” Jamie said flatly. I let out a hearty sigh and plopped my fry back on my plate.

“Look, I get it. But would you want to be on the bench, or worse, at home watching the games fromafar? Or would you rather be on the ballfield seeing some action but at a level that’s much more suitable for where you’re at right now?”

Jamie froze, staring me down but said nothing more.

Oh no.

I broke him. He sat in stunned silence as he blinked at me.

“No, you’re right.” A heavy sigh escaped him as he sat back in his seat. “I’ve been in denial since I got here. Even ownership said the same thing as you. It wasn’t really until a few days ago that I finally came to terms with the truth.”

My heart did a flip flop to hear him admit what I knew I saw that night at the bar. Something had finally gotten through that thick skull of his. But he wasn’t giving himself enough credit now. He made huge strides. I finally felt confident that he was going to do just fine tomorrow.

The conversation had turned serious again and I needed to lighten the mood. This lighthearted chemistry between us was addictive and I wanted to keep it up. To keep his mind in a positive mindset. I leaned forward and cupped my palm behind my ear just to sass him.

“I’m sorry, can you say that again? Because I’m pretty sure that you said,‘I was right’.”

It was only a tease. A smile quirked at the corner of his mouth. He tried to hide it by looking away from me. His arms crossed his chest as he shifted in his seat. I felt my body flush with awareness.

“You’re lucky you heard it the first time, Cady. Just take the win.” He shot me a look as he grabbedthe beer bottle and tipped it back up to his mouth. It did nothing to distract me from his smile.

Shit, were we…flirting?

I couldn’t help my own smile as we finished up the last few bites of our dinner. So, it wasn’t entirely awful being alone with him. There was only a hint of his grumpy self, even then it dissipated quickly. And maybe, just maybe, he was fun to talk to. Outside of the pressures of work, that is.

“Do you want another drink?”

“No, I’m good. I think I’m ready to head home. I’ve had…quite enoughexcitement for one day.” My pulse suddenly started racing as if I’d shot back three espressos at once.

Jamie offered a nod in agreement as he gestured to the server for the check. I reached for my purse and pulled out my wallet, but he tutted me.

“No, I’ve got this. I invited you out.”

“Pfft, barely. But really, I–”

“Truly, Cady. Let me treat you.” His stern tone was back as he took the bill. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw his gaze flit back over to me as a little smirk quirked at the corner of his mouth.

“Fine.” I sighed with a roll of my eyes. Dammit, why did saying he wanted to “treat me” turn my insides into goo? “But I’m paying the tip.” I didn’t wait for any sort of acknowledgment as I pulled out enough cash to cover my half of the bill. If he wasn’t going to take my perfectly good money, then the server could have it.

Jamie didn’t offer any protest as he finished with the check and downed the last bit of his beer. He only had one that he nursed the entire time we were at the restaurant, along with a glass of water. But you couldnever be too safe. My playfulness was begging to be let off the leash again.

“You alright to drive, Slugger? Or do you need a designated driver?”

“Why, do you want to give me a sobriety test?” He rose from his seat with a smirk under his ball cap, turning it around on his head.Oh fuck, not the backward hat move.My heart began to palpitate.

Pocketing his wallet, he turned around to walkbackwardout of the restaurant, easily avoiding each and every table and chair that was potentially in his way. For good measure, he threw in alternating arms to tap the tip of his nose with the tip of his pointer finger. For fucks sake, why was this banter so damn easy?

“Alright, fine,” I said with a staged huff of annoyance over the fact that he had to show me up. “Showoff.”

“Do you want me to drop you off at your place or…?”

“Nah, the ballpark is fine,” I answered quickly. My voice cracked and I cringed inwardly. “I’ll just take my car home.”

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