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ended. She just had the aching reminder that their relationship had been like no other. Not even her marriage could compare to the intense years she’d spent loving Zach. “For all we know, he could have a girlfriend. I saw his picture in the paper with some girl the other day.”
    Jackie threw her head back and her long blond ponytail struck Rennie in the face. “I saw that too. It didn’t look like he was all that into her though.”
    “How can you tell? They were smiling.” She’d studied that picture for longer than she was willing to admit, trying to decipher Zach’s mood. Was he faking it for the camera or was he genuinely happy to be with the beautiful woman on his arm?
    “I know Zach, and so do you. The guy reads like an open book.”
    “Do you, uh, see him very often?” Rennie asked. She had purposefully avoided asking her sister about Zach over the years, knowing it was best to avoid the subject.
    “Just at the club once in a while.” Zach’s parents still owned the golf course, and since Jackie, her husband, and their parents were all avid golfers, they had a family membership.
    “He still plays?” Rennie knew she shouldn’t try to glean information about her ex if she wanted to stay out of his life and, more importantly, keep her son out of his sight.
    “Yeah.” Jackie laughed. “Mason’s even played a few rounds with him over the years. He always comes home grumbling about how unfair it is that Zach’s not only one of the best pitchers in the league but a hell of a golfer too. He says it makes it real hard to like him.” Jackie giggled. “Of course, he can’t wait to go in to the office and tell everyone he played a round of golf with Zach Foster.”
    “Does he think name dropping will help him make partner faster?” Rennie couldn’t keep the edge out of her voice. Rennie knew how anxious her brother-in-law was to make partner at his law firm, but for reasons she didn’t want to analyze, it still bothered her when people used their association with Zach to make themselves look better. He was a great guy… who’d broken her heart… who didn’t want their baby… who lied to her about wanting to start a family. She had to keep reminding herself of that, or she was at risk of falling for him all over again.
    Jackie shot her a sidelong glance, barely able to keep the smirk off her face. “Who made you Zach’s protector, sis?”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. Zach doesn’t need me or anyone else to defend him.”
     
    ***
     
    Zach was surprised to see the Baldwins’ home number flash on his call display just after his game ended. “Hello?”
    “Zach, is that you?”
    He immediately recognized the little voice he’d heard on the phone the other night. “Hey, Tyler. What’s up, buddy?”
    “We’re… uh… having a party over at my Grandad and Nana’s house, and I was wondering if you could come?”
    Zach smiled. He had the feeling Tyler was issuing the invitation without his mother’s knowledge. “What kind of party?”
    “It’s my birthday party.”
    “Cool, how old—” Zach stopped talking when he realized Tyler was talking to someone in the background. He hoped it wasn’t the boy’s father, who would no doubt question why his son was talking to his wife’s ex.
    “My nana’s here. She wants to talk to you.”
    “Great.” Zach had always had a great relationship with the Baldwins, even after their daughter left town. “Hey, Marian,” he said, chuckling when she greeted him. “Your grandson is quite the character.”
    “Isn’t he though? It seems there’s nothing he won’t do to meet his baseball idol.”
    “How did he get my number?” One thing was certain: Rennie wouldn’t have given it to him.
    “He went through his mother’s phone and found it.” Marian cleared her throat delicately. “I had no idea you and Rennie were still in touch.”
    “We just reconnected a couple of days ago, actually. I’m helping her with a couple of projects she’s