Page 82 of Restricted List

“Right.”

The other end of the call is now suspiciously quiet.

“Starlight,” he finally says. “She’s your Starlight.”

“We’ve established that.”

“And you went to the planetarium, which is full of stars.” My stomach drops, realizing how quickly he put it together. Ari is laughing as he says, “Oh my God, you fucked your Field Manager’s daughter, didn’t you?”

“I just had to mention the planetarium, didn’t I?” I reply, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“So this mystery girl you’ve been telling me about is Rory Fisher?”

I sigh. “Yes, it’s Rory. And Skip has made it clear we’re all to stay away from his daughter.”

“Sounds like staying away didn’t work for you,” he snickers.

“No fucking shit,” I chide. “I was good for three and a half years. But this past month, I’ve lost my goddamn mind around her. She said it was only a night, but I know she wants more.”

I can hear Ari take a deep breath. “So go for it. You’ve never talked about a woman the way you talk about Rory. I’ve known you for years, and you only ever hooked up with women. At least while we were in Triple-A and Kansas. Rory has to be different for you to feel like this.”

“She is,” I say softly. “She’s fucking perfect for me. I’ve never fallen in love, but if I ever do, it’s going to be with Rory Fisher. I know it.”

“Tell her.”

“Tell her that I think I could fall in love with her?” I scoff. “Yeah, I’m sure that won’t scare her off.”

“No, fucker. Tell her how you feel. Tell her you want more. See if this will actually go somewhere.”

“For a man that says he’ll never be tied down, you’re not too bad at this whole love advice thing,” I laugh.

“It’s called wisdom,” he says smugly. “Just because I don’t want a serious relationship doesn’t mean I don’t know what to do. I just know how those things can end. Rather avoid that.”

I know he’s speaking from experience. Since his parents divorced nearly twenty years ago, he was always going back and forth between the US and South Korea. I imagine that leaves an impression on a kid, especially when his father refuses to say anything nice about his ex-wife.

“We’ll have to find a way to catch up when you’re back in the states. Didn’t really get to see you during the World Series.”

“Oh shit, I didn’t tell you. I talked to my agent the other day. I have a meeting in New York next week.”

“With the Stars?” I can’t hide the excitement in my voice.

“Yeah.” I can hear his smile. “My agent put feelers out as soon as I told him I didn’t want a new contract with Atlanta. So I’mglad to hear Paul Fisher is a good guy. I’ll just be sure to keep my hands off his daughter so I don’t piss him off.”

He’s riling me up; I know he is. And the possessive bastard in me takes the damn bait.

“You better stay the fuck away from her. She’s mine.”

“Is she? From what I hear, she’s single.”

“Ari, I swear to fucking God I will kick your ass if you try anything with her.”

All I hear on the other end is raucous laughter followed by gasps of breath. “God, I missed fucking with you, Pierce.”

“I regret telling Skip you didn’t want to be in Atlanta.”

“No, you don’t,” he laughs.

“No, I don’t,” I sigh. “Catch me when you’re in New York next week.”

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