Her fingers were threaded through his hair as she pulled him back for another wild and passionate kiss. “I’ve missed you so much. I can’t believe I did that to us. I love you, Mateo. With everything I have, with all of who I am.”
Rique yelled down to them, “Take your time in there. Mac’s pulled us.”
Her eyes met his. “I’m surprised he kept you in that long. Seven innings is a long time for regulars in spring training.”
“I believe it had to do with who we were playing. He wanted to prove something, too.”
“That home run was clutch.”
“I think you told me I was your clutch hit waiting to happen. I couldn’t disappoint you.”
Her hands were cupping his face, and the feel of her skin against his was heaven.
“You could never disappoint me. I hope you can forgive me for my stupid move. But I have to warn you, Mateo. If I find out you’ve—”
He put a finger over her lips, but she took hold of it and pulled it away, never letting it go.
“Let me finish. If I find out you’ve…cheated on me, I swear I’ll make your life so miserable you’d wish you’d never met me.”
“I will not be so cautious with my words. If I find you’ve cheated on me, I will hurt the man you are cheating with.”
She looked up at him, stunned. “Whatever makes you think that could happen?”
“You are on the road as much as I am. And you become close to the players you take on. Why wouldn’t I be as susceptible to worry as you?”
Creases furrowed on her forehead. “I would never do that.”
He kissed her with a hunger he couldn’t deny and growled, “Neither would I. My world is in darkness when you are not part of it.”
He held her, and just the feel of her in his arms was enough to give him the courage to ask, “Would you wear my ring?”
“I am. I haven’t taken it off.”
It’s what had given him a thin thread of hope that she hadn’t left him for good.
“A real one, one that will tell the world that we are married.”
Her eyes glinted with pleasure. “I don’t mind the world knowing anymore.”
He took her hand and led her to his cubby where he fished out a small box. “I bought this while you were on your road trip but hesitated to give it to you until you were ready to wear it.”
He opened it to reveal a tapered pavé halo ring with floral-inspired lines that held over a carat of sparkling diamonds, and it was nestled against a slim wedding band.
She gasped, and he couldn’t fail to notice the tears sheening in her eyes.
With a long, searching look, he admitted, “I forced myself to be careful with my spending. I would have purchased a ring much more expensive, but your voice nagged at my conscience.”
“You couldn’t have gifted me with anything more beautiful than this.”
He removed the ring from the slot and waited for her to slide off his grandfather’s signet. When she had, he slowly set the newer rings in place.
She held up her hand as if transfixed.
“I love it, Mateo.”
“May I have the other again? I have worn it since my grandfather’s death. It is my talisman.”
She gasped at the revelation and met his eyes with an apology. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
As he returned it to its rightful place on the chain he’d worn for over a decade, he said, “Because as long as you were with me, it still worked its magic. It failed only when you left me. Then I had neither of my good luck charms.”
Baseball players tended to be a bit superstitious about such things. Men grew beards during playoffs and didn’t shave until they’d lost, wore the same socks during a hitting streak, wore a number that they’d worn since childhood, went through the same routine every day before a game. He’d been willing to give up his ring as a symbol of his devotion and it hadn’t hurt his play until she’d taken it with her.
Tears misted her eyes. “I should never have left you.”
He brushed her lips with his thumb, still reveling in the feel of her. “If you had to leave in order to return to me, then it was worth the torment.”
They heard the crowd cheering again and he chuckled, “Should we go and catch the rest of the game?”
“I should. I’ve not only missed you; I’ve missed my job. I never realized how much I needed both.”
“I’ll have to make sure you don’t forget.”
He took her hand and walked her up the steps that led to the dugout. It wasn’t unusual for her to be a spectator from this vantage point. She was as much a part of the team as the players, and they’d apparently been aware of her absence. Bellasario joked, “Seems you brought a new and improved third baseman back with you.”
“Not sure he needs improvement.”
There were some quips and teasing that she took in stride. There was a new and improved smile on her face. It was full, sincere, and missing the tentativeness he’d come to expect.
He looked up to see the team had added to the lead while they’d been reconciling. He pointed to the scoreboard, which read eight to five, and asked, “How’d we get the runs?”
Seb said, “Greenwald doubled, Eichele got him to third, and Ciofani hit them both home with a triple.”
Mateo glanced over and asked, “Didn’t you tell me he was Demers’ great-grandson?”
Allie said, “Yeah. He played with Layden last year. He’s going to be good. It’s in the genes.”
“What position?”
“Center field. He’s chomping at the bit to get here, and
