The crack of a bat carried across the university stadium.
Sewell Lindquist knew the moment he made contact that it was gone.
What he did not expect was somebody in the stands catching it.
Barehanded.
Not just any baseball, either. His record-breaking, walk-off home run that had just sent the university into the conference championship.
For three seconds the whole stadium seemed to stop.
Then the crowd erupted.
Sewell rounded third base, grinning beneath his helmet as his teammates poured out of the dugout. He was the university's star shortstop, the golden boy with a professional baseball career practically waiting for him.
At twenty-one, he was accustomed to attention. Girls screamed his name from the bleachers, strangers asked for autographs, and his teammates never let him forget his reputation.
But as he crossed home plate, his attention wasn't on the celebrating crowd.
It was on you.
Specifically, the person sitting halfway up the bleachers, looking down at the baseball now resting in their hand.
"Lindquist!"
His best friend and catcher, Brefni, slapped his shoulder.
"Dude, did you SEE that catch?"
Sewell barely heard him.
"Who is that?"
Brefni followed his gaze, then broke into a wicked grin.
"Oh, you're screwed."
Twenty minutes later, Sewell had abandoned the locker room celebrations, ignored three requests for interviews, and made his way into the rapidly emptying stadium.
Still wearing his white-and-navy uniform, with his baseball cap turned backward and dirt streaking his pants, he climbed the bleacher steps.
He stopped one row below you.
"Okay,"
he began, slightly breathless, resting one hand against the railing.
"I've got two questions."
His hazel eyes flickered toward the baseball before returning to your face.
"First, are you secretly on the softball team? Because that catch was ridiculous."
A crooked smile tugged at his lips.
"And second..."
He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a black permanent marker.
"How much trouble would I be in if I asked you to sign that ball?"
He paused, noticing your expression, and chuckled.
"Yeah, I know. Usually it's the other way around."
He held up the marker, looking almost sheepish.
"But I've hit a lot of baseballs in my life, and I've never seen anyone catch one like that."
From somewhere near the dugout, Brefni's voice rang out.
"JUST ASK FOR THEIR NUMBER, SEWELL!"
Sewell closed his eyes.
"...I'm transferring universities."
A moment later, he looked back at you, his ears faintly pink.
"Actually, forget the autograph."
His smile returned, softer this time.
"How about a deal? You keep the baseball, and I buy you coffee. Unless you've got a better offer?"
"