Page 43 of Sweet Harmony

“He does thesame thing at work sometimes. Usually near the end of the day,”Grace said. “I overheard one of the other hygienists asking himabout it once and he kind of blew her off. Has he mentioned it toyou, Kira?”

“No, but,” Kiralowered her voice, “we’ve only had one ‘get to know you’session.”

“Well, when youfind out, let us know,” Addison said. “I’m curious to find out what-”

“Shh,” Kirasaid. “He’s up.”

She watched,her hands clasped together, her stomach a tight knot of tension, asConnor stood in the batter’ box, his knees slightly bent, the batheld high over one shoulder. He stared unblinkingly at Daniel andKira winced when Daniel threw the ball and the umpire called astrike.

“Oh God,” shemuttered when the second strike was called, “he’s going to strikeout.”

Normally shewould have been thrilled if Daniel struck out a batter. But despiteher relationship with Connor being fake, she desperately wanted himto hit the damn ball.

“C’mon,” shewhispered. Darkness had fallen but she could see the gleam of sweaton Daniel’s forehead reflecting under the diamond lights. He staredsteadily at Connor and her breath caught in her throat when hethrew the ball.

There was aloud CRACK, and she was on her feet, her heart in her throat andher mouth bone dry, as the players and the fans in the bleachersall watched the arc of the ball. The center outfielder ranbackward, his arm up and his glove-covered hand stretched out.

It wasn’t evenclose. The ball sailed over the fence and disappeared, and Kirascreamed excitedly, clapping her hands and pounding her feet as theother people on the bleacher erupted into loud cheers andcatcalls.

“He did it!”Kira hugged Grace and then Addison, before clapping again. Shewatched as Connor jogged around the bases and when he stepped onhome plate, he glanced up at her. She waved at him, knowing she hada giant stupid grin on her face, but not caring.

He returned hersmile, that adorable dimple appearing in his cheek, before slappingthe hands of his fellow players. She sank back to her butt on theseat, watching as Connor returned to the bench. He was limping theslightest bit and her smile faded a little. She’d ask him about hisknee after the game, she decided.

* * *

“We’re goingfor drinks, you in?”

Connor shookhis head as he packed up his bag. “Nah, I don’t think so. Butthanks for the invite, Jack.”

The tall, leandoctor clapped him on the back. “You kicked that smug fire boy’sass tonight, good job.”

Connor laughed.“Yeah, thanks.”

“Noticed thatSheriff Walker’s sister was cheering pretty loud for you,” Jacksaid.

Connor glancedover at the bleachers. Kira was standing in front of them, talkingto Grace and another woman. “Yeah, we’re dating.”

“Oh,” Jacksaid. “Well, good for you. See you at practice on Sunday.”

“Yep. Night,Jack.”

“Night.”

Connorhesitated and then walked toward Kira. Now that he’d told Jack theywere dating, it would look weird if he didn’t go over to her. He’dbarely taken two steps toward her when Daniel joined her. Thefirefighter put his arm around her shoulders and irrationaljealousy flamed to life in Connor’s stomach when Kira gave him anadoring grin.

Ignoring theway his knee was throbbing, he quickened his pace. He reached outand took Kira’s arm and pulled her up against his body. Withoutstopping to think about it, he cupped the back of her skull andpressed his mouth against hers.

He swallowedher startled squeak and pushed his tongue past her slightly partedlips to slide against hers for a few seconds before lifting hishead. “Hey.”

“Uh, hi there.”She stared at him, the confusion apparent in her gaze.

Keeping one armanchored firmly around her slim waist, he held out his other handto the auburn-haired woman. “Hi, I’m Connor MacMillan. We haven’tmet yet.”

She shook hishand. “Addison Moore. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You as well.”Connor smiled at her before squeezing Kira’s waist. “Thanks forcoming to watch me play, honey.”

“Right, ofcourse,” Kira said. “I wouldn’t have missed it.”

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