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national chain.
    Investing in his father’s footsteps, Romeo had come up with Bellisaro Americano. Surrounded by sports memorabilia, customers enjoyed grilled hamburgers and steaks. Packed booths and tablesand a long waiting line attested to the restaurant’s popularity and success.
    This dinner with Romeo would provide Emerson with material for several columns. Juicy columns. She had the inside scoop on the sexiest man in Major League Baseball. A title he’d held for three straight years.
    Since their arrival, Romeo had been in constant demand. Autographs. Kisses. Craned necks and sideways glances from both customers and employees. To stay in control, she’d gone allbusiness on him. She’d purposely stopped for gasoline. Purposely shopped for groceries. Purposely started writing her column under his nose.
    The man looked uneasy.
    Better he than she.
    The scent of Chloe arrived seconds before their waitress. Tall, thin Tina dropped a menu before her, then placed one directly into Romeo’s hand. As she laid out the place mats and silverware, Romeo’s expression hardened.
    Emerson understood his look. The Rogues’ schedule glared back at him from the place mat, printed out in neat block lettering. A reminder he’d be sitting on the bench for thirteen games.
    “Nice of you to make an appearance,” Tina said happily to Romeo. “When you’re here, tips triple.”
    “How’s the house fund?” he asked.
    She broke into a smile. “I’m almost there. An additional two thousand and I’ve got the down payment.” Tina cast a quick glance at Emerson,then looked back at Romeo. “What can I bring you to drink?”
    “The lady will have a ginger ale; I’ll have a National Bohemian beer,” Romeo replied.
    Tina nodded, went for their drinks. She cast two looks over her shoulder at Romeo before she reached the bar. She was openly taken with the man.
    Emerson unfolded her napkin, smoothed it across her lap. “How did you know I like ginger ale?” she asked.
    “You drank one on the sidelines during Media Day.”
    The man had an eye for detail. She tried not to smile. Failed. Once again she found him staring at her mouth. She didn’t understand the fascination. Her lips were too full. Her dimple cut too deep. Her front teeth weren’t quite straight.
    He continued to stare until his gaze darkened and his eyelids half closed. Which caused her heart to stutter. In need of a distraction, she picked up her menu. She took several minutes to scan the entries while Romeo studied her.
    She didn’t look up until Tina returned with their drinks. “Ready to order?” the waitress asked.
    This time Emerson took the initiative. “Two Angus burgers, one rare, one medium, both with extra onion, and two sides of sweet potato fries.”
    Romeo’s lips twitched. “Extra onion?”
    “So thick and raw your eyes will water.”
    “I’ve never had a date eat onions.”
    “I’m not your date, onion breath.”
    He threw back his head and laughed. The sound was deep and rich. Contagious. She felt her body relax. Grow expectant. She kicked herself for responding to a man known to have the word Legendary tattooed at his groin. All the Rogues bore tattoos. The tats were a part of their rookie initiation onto the team.
    “Will that be all?” Tina waited for Romeo’s approval.
    He nodded. “Onions are good.”
    Her gaze still on Romeo, Tina collected the menus and backed away from their booth, straight into a table across the aisle. Glasses and plates tipped. She mumbled an apology to the annoyed patrons.
    Emerson rolled her eyes. “Your effect on women is staggering.”
    He crossed his arms over his chest, his big body curving low on the vinyl seat. “Do I stagger you?”
    “You have every woman in the restaurant trying to catch your eye. Why would I matter?”
    “For the simple reason that you’re not trying to impress me. I like that.”
    His compliment made her shiver. She could sit and stare at him, enjoying his company and smile,