“I’m not his girl”—but they’d all begun to move off, spreading out into the field with their new gloves—“friend.” She absently rubbed her butt, realizing that hurt, too.

“Need a hand with that?”

She glanced up as Pace smiled. And it was the oddest thing. The good humor changed his face, making him look like one of the kids, both younger and far more carefree than she’d seen him except in pictures. His eyes sparkled, fine lines fanning out from the outer corners. His mouth was curved, and even though he was having fun at her expense, she felt her own smile reluctantly tug at her mouth as they stared at each other for several long beats.

“Hot Arrogant Baseball Stud?” he repeated softly.

“Are you objecting to hot or stud?”

“Arrogant, actually.”

Okay, so he had a quick wit and a sense of humor to go with those looks and, she guessed, more than the average smarts. And in spite of her best efforts to remain immune, she felt drawn to him.

Which was not good.

Not good at all.

They were still standing practically hip to hip. In fact, he was still supporting her, gaze still locked on hers. His smile slowly faded.

And so did hers.

Her heart gave a good hard leap against her ribs because suddenly she felt . . . hot. Very hot. A heavy beat passed, and then another, each filled with . . . well, she wasn’t quite sure what.

Okay, that was a lie.

She knew exactly what. Anticipation. And a reluctant attraction. And enough heat to have her palms going damp, which was odd because the mountain peaks were shading them and there was the nicest sea breeze brushing through the trees, through her hair, brushing her face and her aching head.

“I’ve got to go,” he said quietly. “I really do have somewhere else I’m supposed to be.”

“It’s okay.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

“Then maybe you could stand on your own?”

“Oh!” Oh good God. She was leaning all over him. She rectified that by pulling free and backing up a few steps. Turning, she eyed the kids, thinking maybe she’d stay and hang out for a few minutes, chat with them some more. Sometimes her best stuff came from unexpected sources. Besides, it might be a nice human touch to her article on Pace . . . But damn, she was dizzy. Yeah, she was just going to sit for a minute, right here, right in the grass—

With a low oath, Pace immediately crouched at her side, brushing the hair from her face to look into her eyes. “Holly.”

“I’m good.”

He let out a rough breath. “You’re such a liar.”

“Hey.” She blinked her vision clear. Sort of. Dammit. “I never lie.”

“Everyone lies.”

“Not me.”

His gaze turned speculative. “So if I asked you, say, what you really thought of me, you’d say . . .”