Page 30 of The Double Play

“So, Hazel,” Jason begins with a drawl. “You work for Emmett.”

I glance at Emmett, who is staring at his friend in a decidedly unfriendly way.

“Yes,” I answer with caution.

“Miss Hazel is my best friend,” June chimes in.

I bite the inside of my cheek as tears well up. Now isnotthe time to cry. They’ll think I’m ridiculous if I cry over something so small. I blink a few times.

“You’re my best friend too, sweet pea.” I run a hand over her dark curls, hoping everyone didn’t hear my voice crack.

Something brushes against my leg and I glance down. Emmett’s hand hovers over my thigh, holding a napkin. I glance up at him. He’s still looking across the table. I gently take it from him, our fingers brushing in the process and sending warmth shooting up my arm.

“Sorry,” I murmur as I dab beneath my eyes. “I’m a bit of a sap when it comes to June.”

“That’s so sweet,” Willow says with a soft smile.

“Miss Hazel criesa lot,” June informs the group.

I squeeze my eyes shut as my face flames in embarrassment. I’m contemplating running back up to my hotel room when Emmett’s chuckle reaches my ears. His laughter gives permission to my own. Jason’s eyebrows raise as he looks at Emmett; I don’t know what for.

“I do, don’t I?” I say to June through my giggles. “But they’re all happy tears.”

“I can relate to that,” Willow says, locking eyes with Jason. He gives her a look that says he knows exactly what she’s talking about. It’s the kind of shared gaze that shows a depth of understanding only two people in love could have.

“I don’t get happy tears, but maybe I will when I grow up,” June says.

I put an arm around her shoulder and squeeze her close to me. “Maybe.”

“What about you, Emmett? Any happy tears shed lately?” Jason teases.

Willow bumps him with her shoulder, but she’s smiling as she does it.

“Daddy says there’s no crying in baseball.” June nods to punctuate her sentence.

My brow furrows. What an odd thing to say. I guess that’s probably true, but it seems like a strange thing to tell a kid.

Jason’s head tips back as he laughs. “What a great thing to teach her.”

“Hey, that’s from a fantastic movie,” Emmett defends. “And I said it as ajoke.”

“I didn’t know you knew how to joke, E.T.,” Jason says. “Today is full of all kinds of surprises.”

“I’m confused,” I say as I look between Emmett’s scowl and Jason’s smirk.

“The quote June said is fromA League of Their Own. It’s a movie about a women’s baseball team,” Emmett explains.

I nod. “Okay, but where does E.T. fit in?”

“Ourfriend,” he says the word like it pains him, “Shaw gave me the nickname after finding out my middle name is Thomas. I hate nicknames, but he doesn’t seem to care about that.”

“Nope,” Jason cheerfully adds.

I can’t help the little laugh that slips out. After seeing Emmett and his teammate Emerson together, I’d thoughttheywere an odd pair. Now it seems like it’s common for Emmett to keep this sort of company. I look at his expression. He’s attempting to scowl, but I can see the left corner of his mouth tipped up just barely. Perhaps he’s soft for more than just June. I think of him slipping his hat on my head yesterday. My face flushes.

Now is not the time to be blushing and staring at his mouth.I avert my gaze, only to have it snag on the Cheshire grin Jason is sporting. Great. He definitely caught me. He’s probably going to tell Emmett and then I’ll get fired for having a huge inappropriate crush on my boss. After yesterday, I wouldn’t even be able to deny the accusation. Between the hat moment and then waking up to a jersey with his name on the back this morning…I’m officially a goner. The coroner will writedeath by falling too hard, too fast,on my chart.

“You should hear the five of them playing video games,” Willow says with a laugh. “They spend most of the time getting under each other’s skin.”

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