certainty because he was Mark Cutter, and people didn’t get a reputation like his for nothing. Women were nothing more than a passing amusement, a moment of distraction.
Last night had been her moment and now it was gone.
Lorelei tossed back the rest of the rum and wiped a forearm across her lips. She turned from the windows and squared her shoulders. Knowing that only made her job easier.
Guilt was a five-letter word that didn’t belong in her vocabulary. In fact, it was a good thing that Mark reminded her so bluntly where she stood before she lost sight of what she was doing there in the first place. Before she found herself falling for a cold-hearted baseball player who didn’t give a crap about her.
Mark Cutter deserved to be brought down a peg by a woman. And she was just the one to do it.
Chapter 15
LORELEI STILL COULDN’T believe she was in Philadelphia, a city of such rich history. It was home of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Benjamin Franklin. The former two being places she’d love to see. Still, more importantly to some of the less historically minded, Philly played host to the Eagles, the Flyers, and some of baseball’s rowdiest, most enthusiastic fans.
When Lorelei walked into Citizens Bank Park the roar of the crowd was jarring. She couldn’t believe the mad crush of fans in red and white jerseys. The atmosphere was nearly manic. Normally baseball fans were the subdued sports enthusiasts—brainy, courteous, quiet unless cheering a play. Apparently somebody forgot to give the Phillies fans the memo.
It was nuts.
No wonder Mark loved playing baseball. It was pure enthusiasm. If these fans were anything to go by, baseball fanatics would be crazy enough to pay an armload for Mark’s charm.
Earlier she’d had the brilliant idea to use the hotel’s business center to put it up for auction on the net. But before she’d been able to enter all the information she’d caught sight of Leslie searching for her near the bathrooms and she’d had to bail. She’d been so close, too. Maybe his necklace really was charmed, because she was having a heck of a time getting rid of it.
But she wasn’t about to give up.
Leslie nudged her side. “Mark got us great seats for the game tonight. We’re three rows up from the boards on the first base line. We’ll have the best view of all the action. And there’s bound to be tons of it tonight.”
If the frenzy of the crowd was anything to go by she didn’t doubt it.
They made their way down the steps until they found their seats. A balding man with his face painted red and white and sporting a Phillies jersey blocked the aisle. He looked at them and said, “You gonna cheer for our boys? It’s gonna be a great game tonight.”
Leslie shoved past him, followed by Lorelei. When they were standing before the plastic seats, Leslie turned back to the Phillies fan. “We sure are going to cheer for our boys tonight, aren’t we, Lorelei? Our boys are going to kick your boys’ butts. The Rush has the better catcher and stronger fielders.” She smiled sweetly and plopped down.
“Saying things like that in this stadium could be very dangerous, I’m thinking,” Lorelei mumbled as she sat next to her.
Leslie winked and grinned. She turned to the blustering man and said, “Y’all don’t mind a little good-natured ribbing, do you?”
The guy shook his head. “Nah, but you got it all wrong. Our fielding is way better and our catcher is ten times better than Cutter is.”
Leslie leaned around Lorelei and challenged, “You care to bet on that?”
Here comes trouble, Lorelei thought. Betting on Mark wasn’t the wisest choice considering the way he’d played the last game.
“All right. Twenty bucks to whoever’s team wins. You’re gonna regret betting against the Phillies. They’re kicking ass this season. And Cutter’s been playing pathetically this go-round. But I’ll gladly take your money.”
Stretching out her arm, Leslie leaned across Lorelei and shook the balding man’s hand. “You’re on. And I wouldn’t count Cutter out just yet if I were you. He’s got a hell of a comeback record.”
Lorelei hoped that was the truth as she watched them shake hands on the bet. Music sounded through the stadium speakers loudly as they waited for the game to begin. Lorelei could see JP Trudeau first at bat, Mark on deck behind him.
The guy next to her stood up and yelled, “You suck, Denver Rush! You suck,