Page 139 of Instigator

“That’s a lie.”

“Prove it.”

“I can’t prove it, but I’ve known you long enough to recognize that face.”

“What face?”

“The one that says you’ve planned something.”

I loop my arm through his and keep walking. “Maybe I’m just excited for baseball season.”

“Annie.”

“Maybe I’m excited to spend the evening with my handsome boyfriend.”

His eyes narrow. “Definitely hiding something.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

The team representative waiting near the field spots us and walks over. She’s holding a baseball and a hat, a jersey tucked over her arm.

Showtime.

“Mr. MacGregor?” the woman asks.

Aidan glances behind him before pointing at himself. “Me?”

“Yes, sir. If you’ll come with me, we’re ready for you.”

His eyebrows shoot toward his hairline. “Ready for me for what?”

I can see the gears turning in his head as he looks between me and the woman.

Then he freezes. Slowly, his gaze swings back to me. “No.”

My grin breaks free.

His mouth falls open. “No.”

“Maybe.”

“Ceci.”

I shrug. “Thought it’d be fun.”

“Fun?” he repeats. “Are you telling me what I think you’re telling me?”

The woman hands him a baseball with the Bulldogs logo stamped across the front.

Aidan stares at it.

Then stares at me.

Then looks back at the baseball.

His throat works as he swallows. “You got me the first pitch?”

The wonder in his voice makes every phone call, every favor, every secret worth it.