Page 105 of The Strike Zone

“It definitely won’t be as bad as you’re making it out to be.”

“You have nothing to base that off. People are still talking about Boomer and Leanne. There’s a goddamn bet running in the office. It’s up to four hundred bucks.”

Alice glanced away, but I could tell she was trying her hardest not to laugh. “I hope you noticed I didn’t enter. Even though I’d have split that money with you.”

“Alice,” I whined. “I’m serious.”

“So am I. Okay, maybe not split. Sixty-forty.” She grinned wider as my scowl deepened. “Have you told Parker about the bet?”

I shook my head. “No, he’d only think it was funny.”

“It is funny.”

“Not to me.”

Sensing I mightactuallybe about to spiral, Alice picked up the popcorn and passed it over. “The way I see it, that boy is totally gaga for you. Anyone else can see it too. It’s why so many have put their money against him.”

“It means everyone already suspects. That doesn’t make it better.”

“It kind of does.” She shot back. “All I’m saying is you don’t have to worry about it ending before it starts. I don’t think that boy is going anywhere, and he’s willing to sneak around for you. So that should tell you everything.”

I nodded slowly. “You think?”

“Yes. But I do think you should sign that form, if only to stop you stressing out more. They can’t hold it against you for signing it, it’s like the rules of HR or something.”

I pressed into my temples in an attempt to rub away the tension building there. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. I’ll go and speak to them on Monday. Or do you think I should speak to Ava?”

“HR”

I nodded. “Okay.”

When are you seeing him next?”

“After the game. Tomorrow’s a free day, so we’re hanging out.”

Alice leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper and nodding to the row in front of us. “You should ask if you can have her T-shirt.”

“No thanks. She’s probably been sleeping in it,” I replied as Ace got ready to pitch.

Even from where we were sitting you could hear the crack of the bat, a split second later the Cubs fans erupted as we all watched the ball fly through the air, heading for the guys in the dinghies out on the Hudson.

The camera followed the trajectory until the screen filled with the dozens of little boats and guys sitting in them with their hands in the air, waiting. A couple of them were brave enough to stand, managing to hold themselves steady on the waves.

“Shit. We’re not doing so well,” grumbled Alice as the two Cubs players, plus the guy who’d hit the home run, reached their dugout.

“No.”

“You’ll need to perform your girlfriend duties tonight.”

My eyes flicked to Alice from where they were focused on Parker and Ace, both looking serious as they held a quick powwow on the mound. “What?”

She waggled her brows. “You’ll need to take his mind off losing.”

I smothered a laugh as the girl wearing the Parker’s face tee stood up and moved down her row. I didn’t want that shirt, but I could cheer Parker up with something even better. Cheer myself up too.

I leaned into Alice. “Will you come to the store with me during the stretch?”

TWENTY-SIX

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