“You did great today, Ethan,” I say, needing a change of subject before my mind gets too carried away. “I saw that throw you made to your cutoff from center field. Nice job.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“I thought I got a little off with my mechanics.” He takes a step and pretends to throw a ball. “I’m working on it.”

“That’s all you can do—work on it.”

“I know how we can celebrate that,” he says. “Wanna go get a corn dog with us?”

My gaze shifts to Palmer. She’s smiling brightly. The reservation that I usually see in her eyes has weakened so much that I really have to strain to find it. Thank God.

“I could be convinced to have a corn dog for dinner,” I say, giving her the space to bow out if she wants.

But me? What I want to do is wrap my arm around her waist and pull her into me. Kiss her forehead. Take her home.

“I think it would be fun.” Ethan looks at his mother. “Instead of you two sneaking around and having pizza without me, you could include me this time.”

Palmer gasps. “We weren’t sneaking around, and even if we were, it’s none of your business, child.”

He laughs. “So is that a yes, then?”

“Maybe I don’t want a corn dog,” she says, smiling.

“Fine. I’ll take Ethan, and we’ll get one without you,” I say, teasing her back.

Her hands find her hips. “Oh, no. You two aren’t going without me.”

“Then say yes,” Ethan says, practically bouncing on his toes.

As if it pains her to acquiesce, Palmer sighs. “Fine. Go get your stuff, and we’ll get a corn dog with Cole.”

Ethan bounds for the dugout, fist pumping as he runs. I watch him and laugh.

“I’m getting him two corn dogs,” I say.

“Why?”

I pull my gaze back to Palmer. Her hair is blowing in the gentle breeze, turning her cheeks the softest shade of pink. Shit, she’s beautiful.

“Because I spent all practice trying to figure out how I was going to talk you into grabbing a bite to eat, and he did my dirty work for me,” I say.

She laughs. “After the day I’ve had at work, I’m happy to do anything for dinner that means that I don’t have to cook.”

“Do you cook a lot? Is that a thing you like to do?”