Page 92 of Off the Mark
“Are you about to divulge my secrets, Maddox?”
I ignored him and leaned past to focus on Alice. “I tease Rowan a lot about our days at Jolene’s. Because he was very, um…popularwith women. But Rowan was also a natural at creating that type of community, and I could tell because the bartender always overhears what the patrons are talking about.”
I was keenly aware that Dean was studying me with his beer half-raised to his lips.
“He always took the rookies under his wing, even when he was one himself. One of the players got engaged to his long-time boyfriend, and Rowan threw them a surprise party in the locker room.”
Rowan rubbed the top of his head. “That stuff’s no biggie.”
“Yes, he flirted a lot but…I know being on the road was tough for a lot of the players. Rowan was usually there listening to them talk about missing their families. Trying to cheer them up any way he knew how. When he got called up to the majors, everyone threw you a big party at Jolene’s, remember?”
His throat worked. “Yeah, I remember. That was a hell of a night.”
“It was, and when you were out of earshot, all anyone could say was how much you were going to be missed. Because you brought the team together.”
He tossed his grandmother a cheeky grin. “Pitchers. We love to boss everyone around.”
But Alice wasn’t falling for it. She patted his hand and turned back to me. “Rowan’s always been wonderful at bringing people together.”
Dean shifted in his chair, stretching his arms out. “Remember that time you pretty much talked me into converting the lot into a pocket park?”
“Eh, you did all the work,” Rowan said.
“That’s incredibly untrue,” Tabitha said. “Charlie’s right. It just comes so easily to you, you don’t realize you’re doing it. That’s why the rec center is lucky to have you. I see all kinds of toxic leaders at nonprofits in my day job, but that’s never been the case with you.”
Three sets of eyes landed on Rowan, who was blushing and bashful. “This is as good a time as any to let you all know that Luciana called this morning, asking if I was planning on submitting my name for the executive director position. To replace Elaine, permanently.”
Rowan took my hand under the table.
“I told her I was interested, and she’s speaking with the board. Elaine thinks I’m the one who should do it, and I guess that carries a lot of weight.”
There were no words that could accurately describe the clash of memories at this news—how defeated and hopeless he’d looked in that hospital bed, how against my chest his shuddered question had been, “But what am I going todo, Charlie?” and I had no answer.
Four years later and here he was, tackling a new challenge, creating anewcommunity.
The table erupted in excited chatter and plenty of hugs. Rowan waved it off, reminding them that nothing was official. Yet the pride on his face was more important than a formal job offer.
I grabbed his hand again with both of my own and squeezed, more than a little speechless.
“Nowthisis news worth celebrating,” Alice said. “Should we open a bottle of champagne with dessert?”
Tabitha pushed back her chair. “Absolutely. We can clear some of the dishes before Alice brings out the family movies featuring Dean and Rowan singing and dancing. That’s how I know she already likes you, Charlie.”
Alice was laughing and shuffling towards the kitchen. Tabitha joined her, tugging Dean close behind. My face was still fire-engine hot from the vulnerability of sharing so very much. I was nervous Rowan would think I’d been trying to embarrass him instead of the compliment I was sincerely giving.
So when I finally shifted to face him, I was unprepared to feel stripped naked by the longing in his eyes. His jaw clenched. The muscles in his forearms rippled as he picked up my hand and brought it to his mouth.
I let out a soft gasp. He let his eyes close and pressed his lips to the inside of my wrist. A sharp ache pulsed between my legs as his lips moved to my palm, the tips of my fingers.
“Rowan…” My voice was shaky. “Your new job, I’m sohappyfor you.”
His eyes opened. “Did you really hear my teammates say all that stuff about me?”
“I did. I was always paying attention to what people were saying. What stories people told about you.” I gulped. “I was always paying attention toyou.”
He curled his body towards mine, stopping my heart. His mouth moved to just below my ear, and he kissed a spot that had my toes curling again. My chest rose and fell rapidly. His breath feathered over my skin. One big, calloused palm cupped the side of my head, keeping me there.
“Thank you for saying that,” he whispered. “It meant a lot to hear it, meant a lot that you noticed.”
