Stealing Second

by Alison Packard

  “Leah has some concerns about being locked into a long-term contract,” Adam was saying. Katherine gave herself a mental shake and pushed the thoughts of Tom out of her mind. “We’d like to add an opt-out clause after the second year.” He picked up the tumbler holding his scotch and angled his shrewd gaze at her. “Is that amenable?”

  “I’m certainly willing to consider it, but I’d have to run it by Human Resources and Legal.” Katherine swiveled on her stool and rested her elbow on the polished bar. Not wanting to raise her voice over the chatter of the crowd, she leaned closer to him. “I have no illusions that Leah will stay indefinitely, and I admire and support her desire to work at the national level. I think we’d be lucky to have her for two years.” She studied Adam’s profile as he sipped his drink. For the first time since she’d met him, he seemed distracted. Could it be problems with his firm’s star client? Earlier today, rumors had floated around the front office that Trey Gentry was thinking of dumping Logan-Johnson and signing with another agency.

  “Adam?” She placed her hand on his forearm when he didn’t respond. “Are you okay?”

  “I’ve had better days,” he said grimly as he rotated his glass and watched the amber liquid swirl lazily inside. “When we started Logan-Johnson I had no idea most of my time would be spent coddling overpaid athletes who believe the world revolves completely around them.”

  Katherine couldn’t help but smile. “You are aware that you helped them to become overpaid athletes, aren’t you?”

  “Touché.” He set his glass on the bar and shot her a wry grin. “I’m just frustrated. For every J.T. Sawyer, we’ve got two like Trey Gentry.”

  She squeezed his arm in solidarity. “Well, if it’s any comfort, we have to deal with him too. And he’s become more than a handful.”

  Adam searched her face; she didn’t miss the sudden gleam of interest in his eyes. “How about when I get back from LA we have dinner and commiserate over our mutual pain in the ass?”

  Before she could respond, Tom strode past them, obviously on his way to the restroom. Her pulse fluttered wildly. Jesus. What was wrong with her? In the space of two weeks the emotional wall she’d erected between her and Tom was starting to crumble. She couldn’t have it. It was time to move on from him, once and for all. And Adam was the best prospect she’d had in a good long while.

  “I think that’s a lovely idea,” she said, glancing from Tom’s retreating back to Adam’s appreciative blue eyes. “Meanwhile, I’ll speak to HR and the Legal Department about the opt-out clause and get back to you as soon as possible. I’d like to get Leah into the fold sooner rather than later. I have the perfect story for her to sink her teeth into, and it’s one that will garner a lot of attention. She’ll be noticed on a national level very quickly.”

  Adam’s eyes narrowed as he assessed her. “Rick Taylor’s story?”

  “Sorry. You know the drill.” She grinned cheekily. “I can’t share that information until she’s signed, sealed and delivered.”

  An hour later, Katherine was back in the banquet room listening to Kelly’s sister and her husband finish their joint toast to Kelly and Matt. After an amusing anecdote of the night Kelly and Matt met and didn’t exactly hit it off, Kelly’s sister lifted her champagne flute and smiled warmly at Kelly and Matt.

  “Kelly and Matt, we never could have predicted after that infamous night at the Sky Room when you two met that we’d be here this night celebrating your engagement. But we are, and we couldn’t be happier for you.” She paused to glance at her husband. “Love is a word that’s thrown around a lot these days. God knows it’s not easy to find, but when you do find it, hang on tight and never let go. Congratulations. We love you and wish you every happiness.”

  Katherine’s eyes were moist as Matt slipped his arm around Kelly’s shoulders. She leaned into him and they shared a kiss. Next to them, Kelly’s parents touched their champagne glasses together and exchanged intimate smiles. All around her were happy couples. Wasn’t that just grand? She sighed and sipped her champagne.

  After an eloquent and heartfelt toast from Kelly’s father, someone, she wasn’t sure who, turned on the music. Within minutes, almost everyone was up and dancing to a current pop hit.

  Ever since she returned to the banquet room, Katherine had made it a point not to look at Tom. But now she couldn’t help but glance in the direction of his table. He was still seated next to Dorie, who was smiling and nodding as they talked. Seth was there too but from where she sat, he appeared to be the third wheel. She noted the glass of champagne sitting in front of Tom and frowned. She’d hoped that he’d stopped drinking after his accident, but evidently he hadn’t. At least he lived nearby and wouldn’t be driving.

  The vibration of her phone caught her attention. She set her glass on the table, then picked it up. She read the text from Adam thanking her for meeting with him on short notice, then fired off a reply. Maybe she’d been reading him wrong. There was nothing personal in the text. It could very well be his dinner invitation was truly to commiserate over Trey.

  For a second she considered clicking on the Crazy Hearts icon and playing a quick game. But how rude would that be? It wasn’t like she was killing time in the dentist’s office. Besides, no one knew about her secret obsession with the game, or how it distracted her from things she’d rather not think about. Like Tom and Dorie sitting across the room enjoying each other’s company.

  Instead she pressed her email icon and checked her inbox. As she responded to an email from one of her contacts at the nonprofit organization she volunteered for, she barely registered the change of the music’s tempo until there was a light tap on her shoulder and she looked up to find Tom towering over her. Her pulse raced at a dizzying speed as she stared up at him. That her emotions were so chaotic in his presence annoyed her to no end.

  “Dance with me.” The low tone of his voice sent a shiver up her spine.

  For what seemed like forever she couldn’t speak. She glanced at the couples swaying to the romantic music, and her heart started to pound at the thought of Tom holding her in his arms, of being that close to him after so many years.

  “I don’t like to dance,” she said, finding her voice.

  His eyes glinted with something resembling amusement. “That’s not how I remember it.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, that’s all.”

  “Scared?”

  Yes. “No.”

  “Prove it.” He extended his hand. “Dance with me.”

  “Fine,” she said. No one knew of her prior relationship with Tom, and she didn’t want them to. Causing a scene would only start rumors. And there were enough of those going around already.

  With an exaggerated sigh, she returned her phone to the table and ignored his hand as she rose to her feet. He inclined his head, motioning her forward. Every nerve in her body tingled as he followed her to where the other couples had congregated.

  The second she turned and faced him and he put his hand on her waist, her heart skipped a beat, then kicked into full-on pounding mode. He reached for her hand, gloving it in the warmth of his, and lifted it as he pulled her closer. Instinctively, she raised her free hand and rested it on his shoulder.

  Looking past him as they began to dance, she held herself rigid and tried to distract herself from his scent—clean with a hint of soap. How was it possible he smelled exactly the same as he had seventeen years ago? And how was it possible she’d never forgotten it?

  To her right, she glimpsed Kelly and Matt swaying to the music, gazing into each other’s eyes like no one else existed. And next to them, Angie and J.T. were just as engrossed in each other. All the love in the room was making her ill.

  “Relax,” Tom said in a low voice.

  Even in four-inch heels, she had to lean her head slightly back to meet his gaze. “I am relaxed.”

  His lips quirked with amusement. “If this is relaxed I’d hate to see you when you’re tense.”

>   “If I’m tense it’s because you’re crossing boundaries you have no business crossing.”

  “It’s just a dance, Katie.”

  Annoyed, she leaned toward him and whispered, “Don’t call me that.” Too late, she realized her mistake. He slipped his hand to her back, anchoring her against him. Now her body was in direct contact with his, and it reacted accordingly. Slow heat unfurled in her stomach and her nipples pebbled against the soft, satiny fabric of her bra.

  “I saw you with Logan.”

  He had lowered his head, his lips grazing her earlobe. Pleasurable goose bumps rose on her skin. Her instincts had definitely been on point. This dance was a bad idea. A really bad idea.

  “Are you sleeping with him?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “Does he know you like to be touched like this?” Tom traced a finger up her spine. She let out a soft gasp and trembled. He chuckled, his breath warming her ear. “And what about that sensitive spot between your neck and your collarbone? Does he know about that?”

  “What Adam knows about me, or my body, is none of your concern.” She pulled back. Another bad idea. The heat smoldering in his eyes sent the blood rushing to her ears, and for a moment all she could hear was the pounding of her heart. Quickly, she regrouped. “And furthermore, my sex life is perfectly adequate. Thank you very much.”

  “Well, that’s a damn shame.” His mouth tipped in a lazy, sexy smile as he settled his hand on the curve of her lower back. Every nerve ending in her body went on instant alert as the warmth of his fingers seemed to burn through the thin fabric of her dress, straight to her skin. “‘Cause I sure as hell don’t recollect you ever settling for adequate.”

  “We’re dropping this subject right now,” she said in a stern voice.

  “Whatever you say, darlin’.”

  Finally he fell silent. The blessed relief lasted only seconds. At least when they were talking she wasn’t singularly focused on everything about him. Now she was supremely aware of the breadth of his shoulders under his suit jacket, the feel of his hard body pressed against hers, and the warmth of his breath on her ear. The most natural thing in the world to do would be to rest her head on his shoulder, just like she’d done so many times before. She resisted the urge.

  When the slow ballad ended and he released her, she let out a relieved breath. Being that close to him for one more second was almost more than she could bear. It wasn’t rational, but then feelings seldom were.

  “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked as she took a step back.

  No. It was worse. The dance only confirmed that when it came to Tom, her body was a damn traitor.

  She straightened her shoulders and gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Thank you for the dance,” she said, then headed back to her table. And although she couldn’t see him, she knew for an absolute fact he was watching her walk away.

  Chapter Seven

  After Kelly’s fourth stifled yawn in less than ten minutes, Katherine glanced up from the team doctor’s latest report on Dave Rizzo’s broken thumb. “Late night?” she asked, peering over the top of her glasses.

  Kelly’s nod included a woeful smile. “After the party, Matt and I went out with a few people. We ended up at the bar at the Marriott, and didn’t get home until after midnight.”

  “Then it’s a good thing Matt isn’t starting today.”

  “And yet he got up at the crack of dawn and ran five miles. I slept until seven thirty and feel like death warmed over.” Kelly opened her notebook, then looked up. “Hey, I wanted to thank you again for putting the engagement party together. It was wonderful.”

  “It wasn’t all me.” Katherine pulled off her glasses and tossed them on top of the report. “Dorie was a big help.”

  “She’s amazing, isn’t she? I’m not sure I could have handled everything she’s been through with as much grace.” Kelly’s eyes suddenly flashed with anger. “Her asshole of an ex-husband walked out on her when Lily was a baby. He married the bimbo he was having an affair with and started a brand-new family. He hasn’t seen Lily since he left, and when Dorie told him about Lily’s heart condition, the bastard didn’t even care.”

  “Sounds like she’s well rid of him,” Katherine said, disgusted at such callousness. Especially toward an innocent child.

  “You’re so right. She deserves someone nice. Someone like Tom.” Kelly shot her a conspiratorial smile. “I think they’d be perfect for each other, don’t you? I saw them sitting next to each other at the party.” Her amber eyes glinted with excitement. “Maybe something will come of it.”

  “Maybe,” Katherine murmured, keeping her expression neutral. As illogical as it was, the thought of Tom and Dorie together still bothered her. And when had Kelly become such a matchmaker anyway? Maybe her happiness with Matt had convinced her that everyone around her should couple up.

  “Tom’s all business when we’re on the road, but maybe he’ll find the time to have dinner with Dorie in Denver or Phoenix.”

  Katherine frowned. “What do you mean? Is Dorie going on the road trip?”

  “I’m sorry. I’m really out of it today. I could have sworn I told you that Doug okayed Lily accompanying the team, on the condition that Dorie was able to come along and keep an eye on her. Do you have any concerns?”

  For the life of her, Katherine couldn’t think of one. As a general rule, major league teams didn’t take their bat boys (or girls) on the road. Because Lily was only twelve, and the minimum age set by the league was fourteen, she couldn’t officially be a bat girl but, because the entire team had rallied around her during and after her heart surgery, they’d decided to make her an honorary Blaze mascot. After her unofficial appointment—which included prime seats at field level—the team had risen rapidly in the standings and several players, and a few coaches, believed Lily was responsible for their turnaround.

  An avid Blaze fan, Lily had been lobbying hard to go on one road trip. No doubt Doug had been persuaded by more than one of those superstitious players and coaches.

  “I don’t have a problem with it,” Katherine said, only because her sole objection was based on a certain emotion—jealousy—and she couldn’t very well forbid Dorie from traveling with her daughter. If she did, Lily wouldn’t be able make the trip. She cared about Lily; there was no way she wanted to be the one to disappoint her. “Has the Travel Department been notified?”

  “Yes. Dorie and Lily will be flying with the team and sharing a room at the same hotels. I arranged for complimentary seats at both ballparks, as well.” Kelly paused. “Which reminds me, I also spoke to the Diamondbacks’ front office and I was able to get tickets for Tom’s sister for the two nights she’ll be in Phoenix. All she has to do is go to the will-call window and show her ID.”

  “Thank you for taking care of that for me,” Katherine said, grateful for Kelly’s penchant for getting things done quickly.

  “You’re welcome,” Kelly said, as she lifted her hand to her temple. “I’m not sure why I feel so out of it. I didn’t drink that much last night.” She grimaced. “God, I’m getting old.”

  “Bite your tongue. You’re younger than I am.” Katherine smiled, then picked up her glasses and slipped them back on. “Rizzo is officially off the DL. Has the press release gone out?”

  “I took care of it first thing this morning.” Kelly closed her notebook and drummed her fingertips on the leather cover. She said nothing, but judging by the rapid tapping, and the way she was gnawing on her lower lip, Katherine sensed something was bothering her.

  “Spit it out.”

  Kelly’s eyes went round. “What?”

  “Something’s on your mind. What is it?”

  “I hate that you can read me so easily,” Kelly said with a wry grin, then sobered. “Okay. It’s probably nothing, but last night at the bar I saw Trey Gentry with Ava McCandless. Neither of them saw me—probably because they were having what looked like an extremely intense conversation. I couldn’t he
ar a word of it, but when it was over Ava got up and stormed out of the bar.”

  Katherine sat back in her chair and absorbed the information. Ever since Simon McCandless’s death, Ava had been spotted at some of San Francisco’s hottest night spots with various men—certainly not the actions of a grieving widow. Until now, though, none of the men she’d been seen with were Blaze players.

  “What did Trey do?”

  “He finished his beer, signed a couple of autographs and then left.”

  “Have you heard anything about them hooking up?”

  “No. Not a word.” Kelly frowned. “But Matt told me that when the team went to the White House after they won the World Series, Ava propositioned him at the hotel.”

  “She came on to Matt?”

  “Yes.” Kelly’s mouth twisted with disgust. “And there was no way she didn’t know Matt and I were together. Plus Simon was still alive at the time. That doesn’t say much for her character.”

  “No, it doesn’t.”

  “I know they’re adults and what they do isn’t any of my business, but something was off about it. I’ve never seen Ava so angry. Whatever went down between them wasn’t pleasant.”

  Katherine’s media radar kicked in and she straightened in her chair. “Whatever it is, it hasn’t affected Trey or the team, so I’m inclined not to worry about it…at the moment.” She met Kelly’s direct gaze. “But do me a favor and let me know if you hear or see anything that indicates a personal relationship. If there is, we need to be prepared for the media interest an affair between them would generate.”

  Kelly gave her a firm nod. “You got it, boss.”

  * * *

  In the private bathroom inside his office, Tom had just zipped and buttoned the Blaze uniform pants he wore for every game when a knock sounded on his office door. “Come on in,” he called out. Expecting Seth, he continued, “I’ll be right out. The village idiots can cool their heels a few minutes longer.”