She nodded.
“Well, that’s progress.” His quick hug and kiss increased her confidence. Trips to Broadway? She’d handle that.
No score by the end of the third.
“That’s what happens when two great teams play each other,” said Jen.
“Whatchu talking about, girlie? The Sox rule!” came the voice next to her.
“Not according to the scoreboard yet,” answered Jen, pointing at the Green Monster. “Look!”
“Jus’ you wait, sister. Jus’ you wait.”
Jen turned her head toward Doug. “I think our neighbor is taking this game very seriously. And starting to slur his words.”
“So is the guy right in front of us — the one with the New York cap. They’ve been at each other the entire time.”
“I know. All I can say is, gedouddahere.” Doug laughed. “Exactly right. But now, switch seats with me.”
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.”
