Game On(15)

“You think she’d like a new bag?” His eagerness made it clear why Mandy was smitten with him. Was this whole team just made up of really nice guys? Obviously I needed to spend more time in Austin. Or near baseball players. Or just near one particular player who filled out his uniform like he was born into it. I realized I was getting off track.

“I think she’d like anything you gave her,” I said honestly. Clearly this guy had good intentions, but bad follow-through. Like most guys I knew. He just needed a push in the right direction. And that was something I could offer. “I can find out if there’s anything she’s got her eye on. If you’d like.”

“Really?” Chris’ eyes lit up. “That would be great. I’m not really good at that kind of stuff. Thank you.”

Just then, Mandy reached us, her own smile faltering a little bit. The air crackled with tension and it might have made me uncomfortable if I wasn’t so amused by how much they both liked each other and how little they had been able to do about it.

“Hey, Mandy.” Chris was suddenly shy. It was adorable.

“Hey, Chris.” Mandy, my little but fierce new friend, appeared to be feeling the same.

I stood between the two of them as they shuffled their feet, not really making eye contact.

“Good practice today.” I tried to help along the conversation. She had been so talkative in the taco place, it was funny to see her so quiet now.

“Yeah.” Mandy thankfully took the bait. “You looked good out there—I mean, uh, you guys looked good out there.” She was turning pink and looked at me with the universal “please help me” face.

“You got some good pictures, I thought.” I looked over at Chris. “She’s a really good photographer.”

“I’ve seen her pictures in the paper,” he agreed quickly. “They are really good.” He was so charmingly earnest. I mentally applauded Mandy for her good taste.

“You should show Chris some of your pictures some time,” I suggested.

“Oh, but he sees them in the paper,” Mandy responded, totally clueless, and Chris’ hopeful expression faded.

“Not all of them.” I wished I could kick her. “I bet he’d like to see your work. And you take pictures of other things, right?”

“I’d love to see your work,” Chris added immediately. Good boy, I thought.

“Oh, I don’t know—” Mandy began, but I looped my arm around her shoulders.

“You probably have to look through them first, right?” I tried to be gentle, encouraging. “But maybe you guys could get together after the practice tomorrow?”

“That would be great.” Chris’ smile was huge and charming.

“Great,” I answered since it seemed as though Mandy had lost her voice. She was standing there doing her best open-mouthed bass impression. “We’ll see you after practice tomorrow and you guys can go somewhere quiet and look at Mandy’s photos.”

“Great,” Chris responded happily.

“Great.” Mandy was still clearly in shock. It was so much easier to get other people together than it was to fix my own romantic issues. And currently, much more fun.

“OK then.” I realized that neither of them seemed to know how to exit this conversation. Could they be any more perfect for each other? “Well, we’ll see you tomorrow, Chris.”

“Great,” Chris said again and then seemed to realize that it was time for him to go. “Right,” he said. “Tomorrow. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” His eyes darted down to the camera bag in Mandy’s arms. “I have to go run some errands anyway.”

“OK.” Mandy held her camera close. “See you tomorrow.”

“Bye,” I shooed Chris away. He got in his car with an obvious bounce in his step. I waved as he pulled out of the lot. He waved back.

I turned to find Mandy standing dumbstruck, one hand lifted in a wave.

“Don’t forget to shave your legs.” I gave her shoulder a nudge. “And wear cute underwear.”

“I’ve got a date with Chris tomorrow,” she said slowly. Her eyes were unfocused, her mouth slightly slack. “I’ve got a date with Chris tomorrow,” she repeated “Oh. My. God.”

“You do have cute underwear, right?” I asked her.

She finally seemed to notice I was there and let out a loud laugh. “You got Chris to ask me out on a date tomorrow night.”

“Technically you asked him out,” I reminded her. “And I didn’t get him to do anything. He likes you.”

“Wow.” She gently put her camera case in her backseat. “I’ve been trying to work up the courage to just figure out if he likes me and you get here and within a day I’ve got a date with him.” She blinked at me, awe in her eyes. “You’re amazing.”

“Not amazing,” I shrugged aside the praise modestly. “Just intuitive.” With other people, I added silently. When it comes to your own choices, you really need some work, Hall.

As if she was reading my mind, Mandy tilted her head and gave me a look. “Any luck with Nathan?”

I shrugged. “He’s still upset.”

Mandy nodded. “That makes a lot of sense. But don’t worry.” She patted my hand. “We’ll figure something out.” She got into her car. “Let me give you a ride.” I smiled, grateful for her help.