Ben was looking forward to his day off on Monday, although he had signed up for a celebrity charity golf event.

Two weeks before, he'd had dinner at Kenzie's after the game, but he needed to head home to crash. Jett hadn't mentioned his favorite fan, so hopefully the novelty had worn off. Ben admitted she was intelligent and good looking. Her dark hair was long and bounced when she walked and it swayed when she moved her head. He didn't want to think about her legs which he noticed the first night. The next morning when her boyfriend helped her in the car, she had on heels which extended her legs so they went on forever.

Waking for golf was torture. As he arrived at the exclusive country club, Ben wished he was still in bed. It was the second year he signed up to take part in the event. A few of his teammates had convinced him to try it, and although he wasn't much of a golfer, he enjoyed himself.

As a celebrity, he was to be partnered with one of the rich fat cat donors. They didn't require him to donate because he had agreed to give up his day and attend a cocktail reception to sign autographs. He didn't consider himself a celebrity, even though he had done a few commercials. Boston loved their sports and the players. Guys from the football, hockey and basketball teams gathered around the coffee urn before the early morning tee-off.

Javier waved him over. "Who else is coming?" Ben looked around.

"I think it's just us. Tex backed out. Your bro didn't want to have some fun?"

Their teammates referred to Jett as his brother. Ben shook his head. "He's probably changing diapers."

Javier laughed. "Glad my kids are older. That shit was bad."

The organizer appeared and explained the details. One by one he announced who was being paired with whom. Eventually he heard his name. "Benjamin Lynch, All Star first baseman with Edward Calhoun, Homestead builders."

Ben smiled. He had heard of Homestead because it was building the condos he had an interest in. After his mother's visit, those condos were more appealing than ever.

Unexpectedly, he found himself face to face with a man not much older than himself. Ben had expected an old man. Calhoun was tall and smiled as he reached out his hand. Ben followed suit, and they exchanged a firm handshake.

Ben was searching for an opener, but Edward surprised him. "My sister won't believe this. She's a huge fan. She said something about meeting you once."

"I'm sure she isn't like my crazy fans."

"When it comes to you and baseball, she's crazy!"

He tried to sound amused. Truthfully, screaming women annoyed him. He didn't know how old his sister was, but at least he would know she wasn't out for his money.

"I'm a fan of yours. I'm interested in your converted mill condos."

His face lost its smile. "We have a waiting list. I could add your name. A percentage of those with deposits fall through, especially the ones who aren't pre-qualified for a mortgage."

Ben smiled. "I wouldn't need one."

"I imagine you wouldn't." His smile was back. His voice switched to a whisper. "I'm not really a golfer. My friend Trey persuaded me. He's a lawyer. You know what they say about lawyers and doctors always on the golf course."

He followed his eyes to a man who looked Edward's age. He reeked of money. "What kind of lawyer?"

"Family law, but he comes from old family money."

"I didn't know you people talked like that."

"We grew up together. My family's money goes back to my grandfather while his goes back to the industrial revolution. It's a fact."

"Mine goes back to my first contract after I got called up to the majors."

Edward laughed. "It'll be fun as long as you don't mind I'm a horrible player."

"I'm not very good myself."

Edward smiled. "We could aim for the highest score."

"Sounds like we may get it without trying."

The organizers staggered the pairs' tee times, and by the time they stepped into a golf cart driven by their caddie, they had each had a few mimosas to add to the fun. Ben didn't normally drink, but he had a long day on the course.

Edward had admitted he wasn't a big sports fan, but he went to a few games a year. "My father has season tickets, which he uses mostly for business."

Honestly, he had never had much fun on the golf course. Normally, he felt pressure to do well. Instead, with Edward, balls landing in sandpits caused laughter from both men. Both had a few decent holes, but even the caddie was shaking his head.

Ben turned to the young man. "Take my next drive for me."

The caddie looked unsure, but agreed. He landed the ball on the green and looked apologetically at Ben.

He patted him on the back. "That's okay. Can you hit a home run?"

"No, sir!"

Edward said, "Can you build a wall?"

The kid shook his head vehemently.

Ben turned to his partner. "Do you actually build?"

He held out his palms. They had old callouses. "A few hours a day."

Calhoun impressed Ben. They separated when they broke for lunch. Ben found Javier and sat with him. "How's your score, Javi?"

"We're doing well. You?"

"We both suck, but we're having fun losing."

"Who is your guy?"

"His company renovates old buildings."

"Cool. My guy's in shipping. Can you imagine he owns huge shipping vessels?"

"All we do is hit a little ball."

Javier nodded in agreement.

The afternoon was as entertaining as the morning. When they completed their twenty-seven holes - three nine-hole rounds, Edward turned to him. "Thanks for a great day, but I promised to take my son swimming." Ben nodded. Edward reminded him of Jetty. He pulled a business card out of his wallet. "Email me. I'll see what I can do about the waiting list."

Ben had invited Angela to join him for cocktails. She wore a black dress, and he gazed at her wishing her legs were longer. The other women were more colorful. Edward greeted an older woman with a kiss on the check as he was leaving. She wore a dress with a bright floral print.

Because of the caliber of celebrities and the wealth of the donors, the media outlets took pictures and interviewed participants. Ben was star struck when he saw Matt Damon.

Angela held on to his arm and sipped expensive wine. She whispered, "I want to meet Matt."

"I don't know him."

A reporter stepped in front of them. "Ben Lynch, how was your game?"

He smiled. "I had a great game yesterday. Today was just for fun."

"And who's your guest?"

"Ms. Angela Walton."

"So are you two serious? Are wedding bells in the future?"

"Most definitely! Right Ben, darling?"

Ben looked down at Angela but felt stumped about how to respond. He smiled. "Well, I'd have to ask first? Right, sugar?" Listening to Tex for two years gave him his response.

As soon as he could maneuver Angela to the door, they left. "Should I meet you at your place for some room service?"

He didn't say no.

Once behind the closed door of his hotel room, Angela put her arms around his neck. "That was fun. I can't wait for my friends to read that article."

Ben shook his head. "You lied." She shrugged. "We get together occasionally. Hell, I don't even know your favorite color."

She laughed. "It's red, and yours is green, the color of my eyes."

"Actually, it's not." He didn't bother to tell her it was blue and had been for as long as he remembered. Blue, the color of the sky on a perfect day as the ball sailed across it. It could be a ball he sent flying with the bat or one that his father threw to him to catch in his mitt.

Another blue popped into his mind. Crystal clear irises belonging to a woman he didn't want to be thinking about. Edward had unique grey-blue eyes. Did his crazy fan sister have grey eyes too?

"Those are petty details. We belong together with little ones for you to throw the ball to."

Ben stepped back. "Hungry?"

"Always."

Her wicked smile caused him to gaze at her ample breasts. The cleavage of her dress showed just enough. How could she piss him off and make him uncomfortable in the pants at the same time? Some day, he would figure out if his sister was right about Angela, but he postponed the thought. His mind had some other ideas.

Thanks for reading and voting ⭐️