Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,141

never have come out of Dean’s mouth five years ago.

I reach up, the back of my hand touching his forehead. “You feeling okay there?”

He snatches my hand, bringing it down to his lap. “I’ve never been better.” He stands up upon hearing the national anthem. “I think we’re here to see a ballgame.”

“That we are.” I allow him to guide me to the opening, sitting us on the opposite side of the woman who shall not be named.

We mingle with another tax attorney and his wife. Although they’re a little older, they enjoy razzing me about being a Sox fan and they’re cool with me hammering it back as the Sox score against the Cubs.

“Do you want another beer?” Dean leans over, his lips dangerously close to my earlobe.

“Maybe just a water.”

He nods, stands and heads to the bar.

A minute later Hillary takes his seat.

“Hi, I just wanted you to know I meant no offense, it’s just usually when a guy doesn’t mention a girlfriend it’s because she’s really just a booty call.”

I stare at what I assume is a Long Island Ice Tea and then look into her eyes. I really hope she’s acting like this because she’s drunk.

“I’m not even close to a booty call for Dean.” My attention moves to the field as they let the new pitcher warm up.

“There’s nothing bad about that. Like I said, no offense.”

Do yourself a favor, Hillary, stop drinking and head back over to your side.

“Listen.” I swivel in my chair. The nice couple behind us is polite enough not to stop me. “You’re the one he doesn’t want. I’m sorry to tell you this and I know you’re probably a little inebriated, but Dean would marry me if I asked him right now. He sought me out because he wants me back. I can tell that you’ve probably liked him for some time and I get it, I’ve been single for five years. You have to dig hard for a good, available guy and Dean is a great catch.” I place my hand on her leg and she stares at it like it’s bird shit that just landed on her. “You deserve someone who wants you. Who chases you. A guy who is available. Don’t go around trying to break another woman’s self-esteem because you think you deserve her man.”

She picks up my hand with her thumb and forefinger, disposing it back in my lap.

“Get a clue. He might like you now, but I give it two weeks.”

She stands and heads to the other side of the seating area. After she’s gone, the woman in the row behind me pats me on the back. Dean’s large frame slides by me to his seat. He sits down without saying anything and hands me my cold bottle of water.

“Thank you.”

“Well, I gotta keep up the appearance of being a good catch.” I elbow him in the ribs and he fakes injury. “I did like the way you kind of claimed me.”

“You heard wrong,” I say.

“I don’t think I did.”

“I said you claimed me.” I focus my attention on the field. Anything other than give in to the pull toward Dean.

“One day you will.” He lifts one leg and rests his ankle on his knee. He’s nothing but casual as he puts his arm around my shoulders.

“Nice move,” I murmur.

“Well, I’ve got no shot at Hillary now that you went all girl power on her.” I elbow him again. “Okay, that one hurt.”

“Good,” I deadpan.

“Now we just sit and wait for the kiss cam.”

I glance over and his usual smirk rests on his face. “Pushing it.”

“Oh, come on. I’m not looking for the hard on inducer one from the elevator the other night, but a little peck never hurt anyone.”

“Sorry to tell you but the kiss cam doesn’t do rooftops.”

“Damn it. No nachos and no kiss cam. What kind of baseball game is this?”

I giggle and somehow our bodies end up closer together.

The couple behind us heads to the bar, leaving us by ourselves. Mr. Heiberman is regaling the rest of Dean’s co-workers with some story near the area where the food is laid out. I’m not sure he’s seen much of the game at all.

Hillary and her friends finally descend on a table. Other than a few scattered other employees it’s just the two of us who are concentrating on the game.

“Does it bother you?” I ask the question that’s been at the back of my mind most of the day. Hell,