She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You want to be my hero? You want to take those slings and arrows for me?”

Doug stood. “Move over, Ms. Slings and Arrows.”

Oh, life was good. She loved this guy. She loved his repartee, his humor, and his intelligence. Had admired those traits years ago and fell hard. Maybe that’s why…even when she’d dated others, she’d never given them a real chance.

Cheering and groaning came from the crowd as New York scored a run.

“The Sox aren’t ruling now,” came the voice from the bleacher below. The guy stood up and glared at the man next to Doug, who wasted no time responding.

“Is that right? You’d better respect where you are. This is Boston!”

“Take it easy, guys,” said Doug. “It’s only the fourth. Anything can happen. It’s still anybody’s game.”

The New York fan sat back down, and Jen turned to Doug. “I’m spoiled. At the Riders’ home games, I’m always in a private box with the family. Now I’m out and about with the real people. Whew!”

“And isn’t it fun?” He eye-rolled their neighbors.

New York got another hit and the fan stood up to cheer.

“Sit down, you’re blocking the view.”

“Whaddayou care? Your team sucks!”

The inning ended, and Boston was now at bat.

And then the magic happened for Beantown. One out. Three men on base, and the next batter hit it hard and high into the stands. Jen figured the noise from the crowd could be heard in the street. The three players on base ran home and Boston had a two-run lead.

Jen’s neighbor was quick to strike. “And you said my team sucks? Ha! Can’t say that now.”

Everything happened fast after that. The NY fan stood, his full cup of beer spilling all over Jen, Doug and the Boston fan, who quickly rose with his fist

raised. Doug stepped sideways, shoved both guys away and got punched in the shoulder. “Someone call security!”

“Doug!” Jen cried, trying to pull him back. “Leave them alone. You’ll get hurt more.” She turned toward new voices. “Oh, good. Security’s coming. And they’re big.”

“We’re going quietly, boys,” one of the guards said. “This game’s over for you.”

Jen ignored the rest. “Doug, are you all right?”

“Didn’t feel a thing. But look at that. We’re famous.” He pointed at the big screen where all the action had been covered. “Who needs a KISS-CAM?” He took her in his arms and bestowed the biggest, sweetest, hungriest kiss…and without hesitation, she responded like a thirsty woman stranded in the desert.

“Oh, my love,” she whispered. “As long as you’re all right.”

His hands lingered on her face, fingers gently tracing the contours of her jaw.

Blinking twice, he said, “I’ve never felt better.”

“Me, too.”

“Ah, Jen. I’ve dreamed of this.”

“You are such a romantic.”

His grin warmed her heart. “That I am. And now that I’ve got you in a tender moment, here’s a question: how’d you like to go to New York with me next weekend? I’ve got to work with the new lead for The Broken Circle while she figures out how to ‘make the part her own.”

Chapter 10

The following Thursday evening, Jen packed a bag for a weekend in New York while still grinning at the reaction to their experience at Fenway. It seemed the whole world had been watching the game that night. Her cell had rung non-stop as Lisa, Mike and her brothers called for details. Liz and Matt called. Alexis offered her opinion that Doug was a “keeper.”

“I hear you, I hear you,” Jen had replied, “and I’m starting to feel that way myself.”

“Good. I think a lot of what happens is about timing. Look at our gang at work.

We were all chugging along for a few years, but now things are changing, and sometimes it’s hard to adjust. Anyway, I’m glad we’re still here in town. At least for now.”

Alexis was right about changes, but Jen hummed as she set her bag on the floor.

The difference Doug caused in her life now seemed wonderful. Nothing to be afraid of. The knock came exactly as she wheeled the suitcase into the hallway.

“Ready?” asked Doug, examining her face. “You’re good with this?”

“A weekend in New York is great. With all that’s available for tourists, I can surely keep myself busy while you’re working. There’s actually a tour of Radio City Music Hall—a behind-the-scenes look. I’d love that.”

“Of course, you would! But remember, show time is at eight o’clock. I’d like us both to see the Friday night and Saturday matinee performances.”

“Why?” she asked, leading them out the door. “Sounds a bit bor—… ah, too much, no?”

“A bit boring, you say?” But his eyes twinkled. “Not to the playwright. Every audience is different, particularly matinees versus evenings, and I always like eavesdropping and watching reactions to each performance.”

“Has the new actress studied the current production?”

“Oh, yeah. She was actually in the original cast in a supporting role for six months. Then went to another show in a bigger role. And when she heard we were going to cast a new lead, she auditioned. She’s really good, and I’m sure she’ll want to interpret the part her own way.”

“Then, I guess you’ll have to go back and see her in it?”

“Yup. Her opening is in two weeks.”

Something in his voice…a tightness, wariness. “Just think of it as a commute, Jenny. Lots of people do that.”

She watched him stow her bag in the trunk of his car and slam the lid.

“I know that. Business is business,” she said, “and a playwright always aims for Broadway.” Her thoughts raced. They were paying a fortune for a three-night stay at a hotel, and if he had to commute regularly…

“Maybe,” she said, hearing her voice quiver, “you shouldn’t have given up your apartment. Hotel costs are outrageous.”

He spun toward her. “Don’t even go there. I couldn’t lie to you about that. My home’s in Boston now. That’s where I want to be.”

But maybe not where he should be.