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Luke swallowed hard.
“They’re not the enemy,” Nico said. “I hired them to make Elisa’s wedding cake. After I mentioned to Mrs. Esposito I was running out of things to do, she asked if I wanted to work a few hours a day there. I mean, I won’t earn much, but it’s not entirely about the money.”
“Did you tell your family yet?”
Nico rolled his eyes. “Har-har. I did, but Rocco Esposito and my dad know each other from trade shows and the like. Rocco called my dad before he offered me a job to be sure Papà would be okay with me working for him.”
“Cool. What are you hours?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be home in time to cook.” He winked. Luke hoped Nico knew he never expected that. “They’ll vary. Mostly I’m filling in for people or providing extra coverage during busy times, like morning rush or lunch. Maybe a weekend morning, but Estelle said they have plenty of part-timers available weekend mornings, so probably not.”
“Sounds pretty perfect.” Especially the part where Nico’s weekends would be mostly free.
“It does. And it won’t interfere with the game you’re so eager to show me off at.” He gave Luke a stink eye Nonna would be proud of. “Still worried?”
“Nope.”
Yes.
But for entirely different reasons.
Chapter Ten
Nico
Nico: Be proud of me, I’m going to a baseball game today.
Isaiah: Sitting in a luxury box isn’t really going to a game.
Nico: Don’t be spiteful because I’m finally doing something your filthy-rich, super-sweet boyfriend usually does for you.
Isaiah: Whatever. Just don’t forget the event at Darren’s house in two weeks.
Right, the charity fundraiser Darren’s mother sponsored. Isaiah must truly be in love to agree to play for that event.
It would be great to see Isaiah again, even if he would hassle him for more details of this fake boyfriend thing he had going with Luke.
He’d cross that bridge when he got to it.
First, he needed to deal with today.
He’d searched for a good ‘baseball for beginners’ website and found a couple that helped. The infield fly rule was pretty straightforward, and stealing bases made sense, but what the fuck was a balk? And who came up with the number system? The shortstop and second baseman stood in about the same place, on opposite sides of second base. So why did they designate the second baseman number four, skip the shortstop, and make the third baseman number five, then go back to the shortstop as number six? Ugh, it made no sense.
He didn’t realize Luke had come into the common room until he saw a pair of legs standing next to him. A pair of well-muscled, nicely hairy legs in skimpy soccer shorts.
“What are you doing?” Luke peered over Nico’s laptop, and Nico hurriedly started to shut it.
“Just reading something.”
Luke pinched the screen still. “Baseball for Dummies?” The gently amused look froze Nico. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing.” He steered the laptop screen out of Luke’s sight. “I was reading about baseball.”
“I see that. Why?”
“Because . . .” He glared at the screen and looked up. “I don’t want to say something stupid like ‘how many points did they get’ or ‘why isn’t that a yellow card?’”
“Nico.” Luke squatted until he was at eye level. “One of the things I like most about you is that you’re not afraid to be who you are. I wish I had your self-confidence.”
“I’m not as self-confident as you think.”
Luke’s gaze momentarily dropped to his simple white T-shirt and jumped back to his eyes again. “It’s a company outing, not a baseball writers convention. Most people won’t know the difference between a pass ball and a wild pitch.”
“Catcher mistake versus pitcher’s.”
Luke raised an eyebrow. “Impressive. Look, you don’t need to worry. Most of the people are going to see and be seen.” He paused a second before adding, “And to get free food and drink.”
“But you’re going because you’re interested in the game, too.” And Nico was his plus one. He wouldn’t be much of a companion if he didn’t get the game.
He rubbed his palm nervously over the arm of the couch.
Luke rested a warm hand on top of Nico’s, stilling him. “Thank you.” He pushed himself to his feet. “But I think you know enough. We should get going soon, and you need to shower.”
“What?” Nico sniffed his armpit. “I poured water over my head during our run.”
Luke pried the laptop free, set it aside, and pulled Nico to his feet, grinning. “And that wore off an hour ago. Jump in the shower while I figure out how we get there using SEPTA.”
The luxury suite at Citizens Bank Park didn’t disappoint. It had indoor and outdoor seating separated by sliding glass panels, a bar, a buffet, barstools and tables, three TVs, and several couch-like seats.
Two servers walked around with food, one of whom was totally hot. Nothing compared to Luke—let’s just be honest here—but gazing at the waiter was more appropriate than gazing at Luke. Even if he should be playing it up as his plus-one fake boyfriend.
