“So,” Jonah turned to her, leaning back against his seat. “Did you watch much baseball growing up?”
“Not until after I got married.” The warmup clock ticked down, the players stretching and adjusting their gloves. “My husband was a Pirates fan. We used to watch the games together on TV.”
“You’re from Texas, right? He wasn’t a Rangers fan?” Jonah’s curiosity seemed genuine, his eyes fixed on her.
“I was from Texas, he was from up north. We moved to Colorado after the wedding.” Ruby paused, tracing the rim of her drink with her finger. “Rangers didn’t even show up in Texas until we’d been married for a year or two.”
Jonah nodded, really listening, like every word mattered. It was one of the things she appreciated most about him. “Well, lucky for you, that’s who they’re playing today.”
“The Pirates?” Her face lit up.
“Guess your husband wasn’t the only fan.” He chuckled, leaning a bit closer. “Shame you’re going to have to watch them lose.”
She scoffed. “You admitted the Rockies were terrible not twenty minutes ago.”
“Not as terrible as the Pirates,” he shot back with a teasing grin.
“Wanna bet?” Ruby challenged, eyes narrowing.
He leaned in even closer, and she could catch the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the lemonade. “What do I get if I win?” His gaze dipped to her lips, lingering there for a heartbeat too long.
Before she could respond, a drunk fan stumbled by, sloshing his beer dangerously close. Ruby jerked back, letting out an exasperated sigh.
Jonah smirked, clearly unbothered. “You know, if you wanted to sit closer, you could always just say so.”
Ruby gave him a sideways glance, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “And miss you inching your way over? Never.”
The tips of Jonah’s ears turned red. “You caught me. I thought I was being smooth.”
“You? Smooth?” She bit back a laugh. “That’s adorable.”
He groaned, running a hand down his face. “Adorable? I was aiming for charming.”
“Keep trying,” she teased, nudging his shoulder with hers.
As the game picked up, Ruby found herself stealing glances at him. His face lit up with every hit, every strike, every tiny victory. It was like watching a kid experience pure joy, and she wondered what it would be like to feel that way again—alive, in love with the small moments.
“See something you like?” Jonah asked, catching her staring, his lips curling into a knowing grin.
“Yup.” He blinked, looking a little surprised, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. She tapped the brim of his cap playfully. “I’m going to go buy a hat. Need anything?”
She fled, tail tucked, up the stairs and into the safe arms of capitalism.
THE SUN HADset hours ago, casting downtown Denver in a soft glow from streetlights and neon signs. Ruby sat in Jonah’s truck, watching him fumble around in the back, laying down blankets and pillows. He moved with ease, his casual confidence calming her in a way she didn’t entirely understand.
It had been a long day, from the car wash to the planetarium to the game, and now, the hum of the city created a peaceful backdrop. A friend had grabbed Jonah’s truck from the train station, picking them up from the game before heading out. When Ruby asked about it, Jonah had only shrugged, saying he had helped the friend move a few weeks prior. Jonah had grabbed a quick bite while they drove, and now he was setting up a miniature campsite in the truck bed.
She tapped her fingers against the door, the distant sound of an amusement park lacing the air with faint music and voices carried by the wind. Jonah shot her a smile as he finished laying out everything, snacks piled neatly on his side and a lighter placed on hers.
“All set,” Jonah said, extending a hand to help her up.
Ruby took it, his warm grip sending a strange flutter through her chest as she climbed into the truck bed. His hand lingered on her waist before he stepped back, and she caught his eye.
Just as she settled beside him, a massive explosion shook the ground, the truck bed vibrating beneath them. Instinctively, Ruby dove forward, pinning Jonah against the side of the truck, her body tense and ready for a fight.
He laughed, a sound that startled her. “Whoa, hey—relax. The amusement park down the street is closing for the season. They do nightly fireworks leading up to the last day.”
Ruby blinked, realizing how close she was to him, her hands still gripping his shoulders. She slowly eased back, her pulse racing for reasons other than the explosion now. “I knew that.” She snatched a crumpled receipt from the snacks pile and balled it up, tossing it at him.
