Love On Call

She cheered with everyone else as Glenn’s team streaked off the field. She didn’t know the precise score, but she didn’t have any doubt that Glenn’s team had won when everyone on the bench around her jumped up, hooting loudly. She found herself caught on the wave of jubilation, amazed at the delight that buoyed her spirits. The winning wasn’t what really mattered, but the camaraderie, the common bond of supporting the team, most of whom were actually strangers, united her with the people around her. It was hard to feel alone in that raucous, high-spirited community.

Abby climbed down and stood next to Mari in the aisle. “I’m surprised they haven’t recruited you yet.”

“Actually, that was just about the first thing Carrie said to me,” Mari said with a laugh. “But I convinced her I’m much more valuable as a cheerleader than a player.”

“Everyone has their purpose.” Abby nodded solemnly and broke into a grin. “A bunch of us are headed out to the pub for beer and burgers. Or just beer, or just burgers. Or in my case, gravy fries. You’re welcome to come.”

Mari almost said yes before a sudden wave of uncertainty caught back the words. She wasn’t sure she could be around Glenn any more tonight without obsessing over the conversation they’d just had, and what and how things had changed. She was emotionally exhausted from reliving the last year and didn’t have the reserves to absorb any more pain for a few hours, and the distance that had descended between her and Glenn hurt. And, she admitted ever so fleetingly, she didn’t want to discover she was no longer the focus of Glenn’s attention. At war with herself, she shook her head. “Thanks, but I think I’ll head home. I’m starting nights tomorrow, and I want to get a good night’s sleep.”

“Okay. See you at the barbecue tomorrow?”

Before Mari could answer, Carrie appeared beside them, her flushed face alight. “Hey, great game, huh?”

“Fabulous,” Abby said.

From the row behind them, Presley yelled, “Super pitching, Ace.”

“But of course.” Carrie looked at Mari. “Have fun?”

“It was great,” Mari said, meaning the words this time.

“You’re coming out with us, right?”

“Not tonight.”

“You sure? Do you drink beer?”

“Ah—now and then.” That was sort of true, although Mari rarely drank anything at all. Spirits were not something her parents considered proper casual drinking, and since she’d barely dated, she didn’t have much reason to drink. When she’d gone out on occasion with the others in her training program, she’d usually stuck to something nonalcoholic. And then, when she got sick, alcohol was off the table.

“Bottoms Up has a great assortment on tap, anyhow,” Carrie said. “And decent food. You sure?”

“I’ll take a rain check.”

“Okay. So I’ll pick you up about nine tomorrow.”

“Sorry?”

“Remember, you’re getting a tour of my soon-to-be new house before we head over to the farm. I think there’ll be Lila’s biscuits.”

“Oh—well, there’s the barbecue in the afternoon and—”

“Right. We’re having a little get-together at our place, to review the last-minute details for Presley’s wedding. Then we can all head over to the barbecue together.”

Mari glanced at Presley, who had joined them. “Oh, well, I don’t want to intrude.”

Presley waved her hand. “Believe me, we love all the input we can get. This wedding is a group venture. You’re more than welcome.”

“Nine o’clock,” Carrie called, as she turned and scrambled back down the crowded aisle.

“Well, okay,” Mari said in defeat. She followed along with the throng of people clambering down the bleachers and finally found a clear space to catch her breath and figure out where she was. She was pretty sure she remembered the direction Glenn had driven, and it wasn’t very far at all from the center of town. All of a sudden, she really looked forward to a few moments of being alone to regroup.

“Carrie says you’re not going out with us,” Glenn said, materializing by her side.

“No, I thought I’d call it an early night.” Mari smiled. “Congratulations on winning the game.”

A quicksilver smile flashed across Glenn’s face, adding warmth to her cool attractiveness that was disconcertingly captivating. “It was a bit of a cakewalk, but we’ll take it now and then.”

“Oh, absolutely. Every now and then you need an easy one.”

“Yeah.” Glenn lightly touched her arm. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”

“You don’t have to do that. You’re going out, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.” Glenn’s brows drew down. “But I’m certainly not going to let you walk home.”

“It’s not far, right? Maybe a mile?”

“That’s about right, but in case you haven’t noticed, it’s dark. Or almost—it will be by the time you get there. You’re not walking home.”

“It’s not safe?”

Glenn blew out a breath. “Probably it is, but you’re still not walking home.”

“Don’t forget, I’ve got city smarts. I’ve been getting around at night by myself for a lot of years,” Mari said. “Besides, you run at night, don’t you?”