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  “As long as you know I’m just here for fun. I’ve got interests elsewhere.”

  “That’s fine with me.” Her eyes sparkled at him, and he relaxed a little.

  “I’m Ryker.”

  “Are you with the baseball team I hear showed up?”

  “Yes I am. Do you watch much baseball?”

  “I like it. I just don’t have a lot of time.” She shrugged. “I work three jobs.”

  “Wow. That’s impressive.” Ryker looked at her with new interest. “What do you do?”

  She talked about her work, how she wished she had time and money to finish her degree, how she had a little girl at home.

  As Ryker listened to her explain her various responsibilities at a library, the local hospital, and a pancake house, he was struck by how hard some people had to work. She seemed like a good person, working hard to take care of her kids. As the song was winding down, he tipped his head. “You know, LeeAnn, I think I’d like your number.”

  Her eyes widened in pleased surprise.

  He corrected. “I’d like to see if I can help you out.”

  She shook her finger at him. “I don’t need anybody’s charity.”

  “Well, now this is a professional courtesy. I’ll have to look into it, but I was thinking it might be nice for you to shave off one or two of those jobs and just have one?” He didn’t want to offend her. She just seemed like a good woman who could use a break.

  She hesitated a moment more and then reached her hand out. “Give me your phone.”

  “Excellent, thank you.”

  She typed in her information and then reached up and kissed his cheek. “You’re a good man, Ryker. Wish there were more like you available.” Her eyes held meaning, a hint of invitation, but he just nodded. “Thank you, LeeAnn. It was a pleasure.”

  She turned away.

  Ryker was done. All the guys had paired off, and he realized he had no purpose there if he would be turning down girls all night. He told himself not to check his phone. He knew it would drive him crazy if Trista was there and he missed her. Or if she wasn’t. But as he stepped outside to call a cab, he scrolled through his notifications. Nothing. With a sinking feeling, he headed home in the cab. Ten days. He would see her in ten days, and then they could talk through a few things. He hoped.

  Chapter 26

  Last week’s text from Ryker had hurt. Maybe talk Sunday. But the guilty relief she felt at not having to try to keep up a relationship with him through the week helped her focus. It helped her not build up her expectations only to not hear from him. She missed him more every day and looked forward to Sundays as pure heaven.

  A few more days and she would see him again before the red carpet. The whole cast was taking a week break. The director was pleased with what they had so far, and that was a huge relief. Her flight was all arranged. She’d packed, and she was jittery with excitement to see Ryker. And nervous too. He’d hinted that they should talk about things. What did that mean? Her fear that all the separation was too much for him filled her whenever she thought about him. So she tried not to think about him.

  Tyrel made her laugh. He was a friendly ear who listened to her stories about Ryker more often than he probably wanted. But she was grateful to have him. The producer, Palmino, was a true professional. She could see why he was so renowned. All in all, she was happy with her decision.

  The remaining days passed in a flurry, and before she knew it, she was landing in LA. She’d spent the many hours on the flight thinking through things, her life, her career. She cradled Ryker’s stone in her hand and smiled. She couldn’t wait to talk to him.

  Leaving customs and the security part of the airport, her eyes scanned the crowd for Ryker. She’d sent him her itinerary, but he hadn’t responded. She knew it would be a long shot for him to meet her there. He probably had a game or practice or something. If he wasn’t there to pick her up, she could take a cab. She hadn’t given her driver any instructions to meet her with the car. Her mind made up excuses for him not to be there and helped ease her potential disappointment. The crowds dispersed. The group around baggage claim left to find transportation, and she was left with her luggage and a pang of disappointment in her heart.

  “Hey, looking for someone?” Ryker approached, the hesitation on his face breaking her heart. He wore a teal shirt, his eyes brilliant blue even from a few feet away. His clothes were freshly pressed, the crease lines visible, his pants hugging his hips. Her eyes drank him in. She’d never get enough of this man.

  She dropped her things and ran to him.

  He scooped her up in his arms, squeezing her just how she wanted him to. Then he pressed his lips to hers and she hungrily responded.

  But he kept it short, too short. With his forehead pressed to hers, he murmured. “More of that later.” He eyed her while he picked up her bags. “Much more.”

  She laughed, free and happy. “It’s just so good to see you.”

  People took pictures of them, so she and Ryker hurried through the remaining crowds to a limo waiting at the curb.

  He pulled her close. “Wow, that was a rough month.”

  She snuggled into him. “Let’s not talk about it yet.”

  He rested his cheek on the top of her head. “This is better.”

  She nodded. “So much.” Then she opened her palm, his rock warm in her hand. “This isn’t the same as the real thing.”

  He took it back. “Good to hear.” He pocketed the rock. “But I’m glad you had it with you.”

  “Me too.” She’d appreciated the gesture more than anything. And she would never admit to how many times she’d slept with it in her hand. She didn’t want to talk, but now that she had him right in front of her, she couldn’t stop herself. “Do you have anything right now?”

  A pained expression told her what she didn’t want to hear. “A game. So, you have a couple choices. Do you want to come? Or should we drop you at your house and I’ll catch up with you after?”

  “I hate to say this, but I’ll watch it on TV in bed. I didn’t sleep much on that flight. But we have things to talk about. I can’t wait any longer.”

  The concern in his eyes clenched at her heart. She reached her hand up to the side of his face. “Good things.”

  He nodded. “I have good things to say too.”

  She reached up and pressed her lips to his, remembering their feel, softly exploring, then she said, “Thank you for being at the airport.”

  He nodded. “Of course. See you tonight.”

  As soon as she washed up, she curled up with a smile beneath her blankets on the bed, turned on the game, and fell asleep.

  She awoke slowly, blissfully. She’d dreamed Ryker took her on a vacation. They’d had nothing to do but be together. It felt so real that when she woke, she looked around to find him. Then she sat up, breathing faster. He’d be here any minute.

  She flew to the shower, rushed through getting ready, and then put on something nice. He’d texted. He was coming.

  At last, he knocked on her door, and she ran to it, flinging it open.

  Ryker grinned. “I played terribly.”

  She laughed, stepping back so he could come in. “Is this a reason to celebrate?”

  “No, but even though I have the stone back, I still sucked.”

  She nodded. She thought she understood. “So now you know your previous success was more based on skill than luck?”

  He tapped her nose. “Exactly.”

  “Well, of course it was.”

  “So you say. But you have no idea how much luck I truly have. I mean, who wins at bingo every single time?”

  “You’re the only one.”

  “And who actually wins at the slot machines?”

  “Not many.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “And who always gets a parking spot in the front?”

  “Me.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “You do?”

  “Every time.”

  “Huh.”


  Then he kissed the tip of her nose. “And who gets set up on a last-minute date with a stunning movie star?”

  “Who indeed.” She held up a finger. “Who has the fastest guy in the MLB in her arms right now?”

  He laughed. “Maybe we’re both lucky?”

  “I’d say so. Very, very, lucky.” She pulled him to the couch. “Which is why I want to talk to you.”

  He sat beside her, pulling her close. “Can we get some room service going while we talk?”

  She reached for her phone, wishing she hadn’t slept quite so long. “Of course. You came here straight from the game.”

  He nodded. “I did bring you something.” He held out gourmet chocolates, the good kind, the ones that have soft centers and melt on your tongue. “I know you’ve been to the land of the tulips, so I decided against flowers, but good, old American chocolate has nothing on that stuff over there in Amsterdam.” He winked.

  “Yes, well, thank you for the thought, but you are all I want right now. Seriously, Ryker. I don’t want our time together to end.”

  He sighed.

  She handed him the phone. “Here, make your order. Get me a harvest salad. Hold the onions, extra pecans and chicken. And then let’s talk.”

  Once he was finished, he turned to her, waiting.

  And suddenly she was nervous. He’d said he wanted to talk too. What if they weren’t on the same page? What if his plan was to end things?

  “You’re stressed.” He ran a finger along her forehead. “Want me to go first?”

  She nodded.

  “Trista. I can’t do this.”

  The air and life left her at the same time. Her whole purpose for happiness would walk out the door with Ryker. “What?”

  “No, I mean. I can’t do the separation thing, the lack of communication thing, the whole we aren’t sure where we stand thing.”

  She waited, still not hopeful because he wasn’t sounding positive.

  “It was torture; the guys can’t stand to be around me anymore. I went to a bar with the team for some fun, and I couldn’t even talk to anyone.”

  She hid the wild relief that poured through. “I agree. This has not been working for me either.”

  “It hasn’t’?”

  “No. I’m happy I’m doing this movie, it’s been a great career move. But I’m also not happy. And it’s hard. It’s lonely. I want you.”

  He reached for her hand. “And I want you.”

  “So I adjusted a few things and made some changes.” She pulled some paperwork out of her bag.

  “Wait, babe, if you dropped out of that movie…” The panic on his face made her love him all the more.

  “No, I didn’t drop out. I can’t anyway. I’m under contract. No, this is thinking ahead.”

  He nodded.

  She pulled out the paperwork for a master’s program at the university where his dad worked. “I’ve almost applied to this program. It’s not online.” She cleared her throat. “I’m super nervous. They may not even accept me. I didn’t get the best grades once I started doing movies. It was sort of an unconventional education. And maybe I won’t be any good at real math, but I’d like to try.”

  Ryker’s heart pounded. She felt it against her. Conflicted emotions played across his face. “But what about acting? I can’t let you do this.”

  His angst in her behalf sent tingles to her toes. “I just think we need to be smart about this. I’ll do my movies during baseball season. And we’ll plan Sunday talks.”

  He groaned.

  “But, starting in the Fall, I’ll spend all my Falls and Winters in Baltimore.” She raised her eyes to his. “I’d really like to see where this can go.”

  Ryker swallowed. Twice. And Trista got nervous. “Unless—”

  “No, Trista, no unless. I just don’t know what to say.” He looked out the window and Trista held her breath.

  “I was going to say kind of the same thing. That as soon as baseball season ended, I would come wherever you were in the world, in between practice and other events I have, and just live in an apartment by you. I have already told my parents I might be a bit of a nomad following my woman around the globe while she does her movies.”

  She laughed. “You were?” That made her happier than she’d been in a long time.

  “So.” He squeezed her hand. “If you’re only doing the math thing in Baltimore for me and you’d rather pursue your career during the rest of the year, that is still an option. We’ll still be together.”

  She shook her head. “No. I need to do this. I have one chance to do well at the GMAT. I’m terrified I’ll fail at the whole thing, but I really want to try. I’m in. If they’ll take me.” She wished she could have told Ryker the plan after she’d been admitted, but she submitted her application late, on the last possible day.

  “Does my dad know?”

  “Not yet.”

  She watched him. She couldn’t tell what was going on in his head. Maybe she’d pushed too far too fast, maybe her stress over not seeing him, her missing him had done different things in her heart than in his. Her breath started coming faster and everything felt hot, flushed, enclosed. Suddenly, she needed some space, water on her face, something. She stood. “I’ll be right back.”

  “No, wait.” His hand, gently holding her in place, gave her hope. She looked over her

  shoulder. He tugged. “Please.”

  She nodded slowly and then sat on the edge of the couch, turning toward him. “If you don’t want me to do this…”

  “I obviously need to say a few things. Clearly.” His grin melted her insides. “Trista, do you want to know what this past month has taught me?”

  She nodded again.

  “It has taught me I can’t live without you. I can’t do anything without you. Not even play baseball.” He pulled out his stone. “This thing is useless to me. I decided I can’t do life without you in it. You’re my stone. It’s you, Trista. And…” He eyed her, his expression careful. She prepared herself. “I can’t do it halfway either. I don’t like this public and private stuff being separate, and I really don’t like Trevor or any other man trying to move in on you.” He frowned. “I understand space and professionalism and all that. But I’m all in, Trista. I’m gonna be loud and clear about it too.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Trista, I love you, so much I can’t even really be me without you.”

  The more he talked, the stronger her smile grew until it hurt her cheeks. All the loneliness of the past month, the loneliness of her life, the years of not connecting came flooding forward in a massive hole that, suddenly, Ryker filled. His love, his care for her, his presence in her life, seeped inside her, filling every lacking part. She looked up into his face, drinking in every inch of it she’d missed over the past month, her heart filling with happiness at his love. Love. “I love you too Ryker.”

  “And those words I will never tire hearing.”

  “I love you.”

  “MM. Perfect. I love you too. And I’m serious. I’m gonna find a way to let the whole world know.”

  “Ryker Stone. Will you be my date at the red carpet tomorrow night?”

  His smile equaled her own. He dipped his head. “Now we’re talking.”

  Chapter 27

  Trista placed one glittery shoe outside of the limo door, and Ryker took a moment to admire her long, slender leg. His breath hitched as her smiling face, full of trust and love, waited expectantly. She placed a hand in his, and its soft, small presence in his larger palm seemed so contrary to the rock inside, her determined courage and strength he’d come to know so well.

  She stepped out, and cameras flashed from all directions. “Okay, Ryker Stone, let’s do this.”

  He pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers. “That will give them something to talk about. Whose team are they on now?”

  She grinned beneath his lips. “Alright, you showed them. Now smile for the cameras.”

  “Easy.” He placed a hand at the
small of her back and followed her lead, grinning and waving and nodding wherever she faced.

  They were almost inside the door when someone called out, “So does this mean you’re Team Ryker?”

  She paused, a twinkle in her eye she turned up to him. And then she responded over her shoulder, “All the way.”

  They shouted more questions, but the door closed behind them.

  “You’re a natural. Ever consider going into acting?” Trista grinned.

  “I’ve done a few commercials. They say I have beautiful pits.”

  She caught her stomach in a spontaneous belly laugh, and someone flashed another picture. He hoped that’s the one they used. Natural, fun, real. But it didn’t matter, because all the fans, the cameras, the people, they were here to celebrate a beautiful actress and a beautiful person, her talent on stage, and he would support her in whatever ways she needed tonight.

  She led him past the main reception area until they filed into the actual theater where the movie would be playing.

  As soon as they walked in the door, deep cheers met his ears.

  Trista paused. “What? You got all the guys here?”

  “Of course. We’re celebrating you, aren’t we? You’re part of the team now. TeamBelltown.”

  His team, the Belltown SixPack stood and cheered as Ryker and Trista made their way to sit by them. The guys and their dates seemed as happy as Ryker himself. As he looked at each one and then at the beautiful woman at his side, he knew he didn’t need the stone or anyone else to tell him. He, Ryker Stone, was the luckiest man alive.

  The End

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