Page 3 of Restricted List

Lane

Sage is already excited

We’ll see you shortly, Rory

Lane Brooks is the Stars’ center fielder and, technically, my boss. He’s a single dad, and I jumped in as his full-time nanny. His daughter is the sweetest fucking thing, so being with her doesn’t even feel like work.

But since today is the parade to celebrate the Stars’ World Series win, it’s the worst possible day to be running behind. Lane needs to get to the stadium, which means I needed to be there to grab Sage ten minutes ago.

Thankfully, we both live in Soho, so I can be there in five minutes.

I throw on a black long-sleeved T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Once I take the cap off, I fan my hair out over my shoulders, thankful it’s not frizzy today, and slide into my favorite sneakers so I can run out the door.

“I’m here!” I shout, breathless, as I walk through the door into Lane’s penthouse. “Sorry, I’m late.”

“Wory!” Sage shouts, toddling her way over to me as Lane follows behind.

“Hey, Sagie!” I scoop her up in my arms and spin her around. “Ready to go see Daddy in the parade today?”

“No!”

I sigh. Sage is still in her no-to-everything phase.

Lane walks over and plants a kiss on the light brown hair atop her head. “One day, Lovebug, that’s going to hurt my feelings.” He looks up at me now. “Everything okay, Rory? You’re never late.”

“Oh, yeah,” I laugh awkwardly. “Just got a little lost in my thoughts, is all.”

He cocks his eyebrow. “What thoughts were you getting lost in?”

“Nothing!” I reply too quickly. “It’s nothing.”

“You’re an absolutely horrendous liar,” he laughs. “But I don’t have time to interrogate you right now.”

Thank God.

“You head out, Lane. Sage and I are going to watch the parade from outside the stadium with the girls.”

“Have fun. I’m sure Harlow and Ella are going to be swooning the entire time.”

I just laugh because I know he’s right.

Ella and Harlow are both dating guys on the team. Ella’s fiancé is Josh Garro, the Stars’ second baseman. They got engaged just before the season started this year, and their wedding is next month, right before Christmas.

Harlow’s boyfriend is Knox Spencer, the best starting pitcher in the entire league. Their relationship began as fake, but it was clear to the rest of us how crazy they were about each other. We all spent most of this past summer trying to get those two to finally admit they had feelings for each other. Watching them both be in complete denial was irritating, but at least it paid off. Harlow and Knox are so in love with each other that it’s disgusting. In a good way.

But at least I’m not the only single one. Lucia and I can commiserate together over our lack of finding love. She struggles, though, because she keeps striking out with online dating, not because she’s been pining for her best friend’s brother for more than three years.

Lane leans over again to plant a kiss on Sage’s cheek. “I love you, baby girl. Have fun with Aunt Rory at the parade.”

“Get your ass outta here, Brooks,” I say. “You’re going to be late.”

“Your dad is my manager. I’ll just blame you.”

“I hate you,” I retort, rolling my eyes as he laughs his way out the door.

“Hey, she finally made it!” I hear Lucia yell as I find them among the throngs of people outside the stadium.

“Yeah, yeah,” I say back, finally joining my friends at the front of the crowd. “I was running late today.”

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