Page 6 of The Pitcher’s Proposal

The flush in her cheeks deepens. For once, she doesn’t dismiss me or answer with another joke. “Okay. If the Titans win, I’ll go out with you.”

Every muscle in my body tightens. “Dinner?”

“Yes.”

“Real dinner. No team staff, no players, no pretending it’s a nutrition meeting.”

“Yes, Brendan.”

Hearing my name from her mouth sends heat down my spine. “Let’s revise the deal.”

Her brows lift. “You don’t get to revise it.”

“One date if we win tomorrow.”

“No.”

“Win the series in Atlanta.”

“No.”

“Make the playoffs.”

She laughs and takes a step backward, putting space between us again. “World Series. Those are the terms.”

“You’re ruthless.”

“You’ll manage.”

“I’m not sure I will.” I pick up my plate, though food is the last thing on my mind now. “You’ve put my entire romantic future in the hands of twenty-five other men.”

“Twenty-five?”

“I’m not counting myself. I’ll do my part.”

Her eyes remain on mine, warm and uncertain and so beautiful that I forget every useful thing I’ve ever known.

I’ve spent six months wanting this woman. Now there’s a path to her, even if it requires us to pull off something most of the league has already decided we can’t do.

A World Series championship.

It’s a ridiculous deal. The odds are against us, the season is running out, and my team can’t seem to hold a late lead.

I grin at her anyway.

“Better start planning what you’re going to wear.”

She shakes her head. “Eat your dinner, Kelso.”

I turn toward the clubhouse with the plate in one hand and the bottle in the other. The loss is still there. The standings haven’t changed, and tomorrow’s game matters more than ever. But for the first time tonight, I feel something other than disappointment.

Now I’ve got Dakota waiting at the end of October.

And I’ll be goddamned if I don’t find a way to reach her.

3

DAKOTA