Colby (Season Two: The Ninth Inning #6) by Lindsay Paige, Mary Smith Page B

possibly the first time ever, used my career to my advantage. I couldn’t give a solid time, so they were going to be flexible and promised a table would be available whenever I arrived.
    “God, it all looks so good. How am I supposed to decide?”
    “What are you looking at?” I ask. Ariella points to a chicken dish and then a pasta dish on my menu. “I can get the chicken, you can get the pasta, and we can share both, if you want.”
    “No, get whatever you want. I’ll pick by the time the waiter comes back.”
    I watch her eyes switch back and forth on the menu. She still seems indecisive, so when the waiter returns, I order them both for us. “I wanted chicken,” I explain when Ariella gives me an odd look; I can’t determine if the look is good or bad.
    She nods. Ariella gives another curious glance around the room. “It has an elegant, but somehow cozy feel to it, doesn’t it?”
    “Yeah.” She’s right. There’s an elegance to the design, the low lighting, and the set up in the room. But it does feel cozy too, which is a little surprising.
    “Listen, um, this might be strange to hear me say, but my department is having a little get together. It’s nothing big, just family, friends, you know, the usual crowd. I was wondering if you wanted to come. You don’t have to because Duke is the only one who knows I’m dating you at work, so the second they see you, I’ll become an instant celebrity,” she jokes. “What do you think? No pressure, of course. I already made you meet my family. By the way, they’ll be there too.”
    “As long as it’s on a day I don’t have work stuff, then yeah, I’ll come. Can I expect the same kind of experience with your dad with your coworkers or are they more like Duke?”
    “First, I already stalked your schedule and you’re off. Two, it’s going to be much, much worse. These guys think of me as a little sister, and I can’t seem to shake the shadow of my dad’s impressive record.” She shakes her head and I laugh.
    “And somehow, I’m still looking forward to it. Do y’all all get together a lot, or is this like an annual event?”
    “It’s annual. I think it’s more of excuse to eat than anything. We love a good home cooked meal.”
    “Well, I’m excited.”
    “I’ll be sure to have my gun in plain sight in case the guys pester you too much.” She laughs. “Looks like the playoffs are coming up fast. Will anyone in your family be coming to watch you?”
    “I don’t know yet. It’ll depend on their schedules. I’ve been thinking about maybe waiting until after the season ends to see if they want to come down. I can spend more time with them that way.”
    Ariella thinks for a moment, her face looking suddenly serious. “Is your contract still good? I mean, you’re not going to be traded anytime soon or anything, right?”
    “Unless they’re unhappy with me, I don’t think I’ll be traded. I should be in Memphis for a few more years at least.”
    “Really?” She smiles widely, and she’s obviously very happy. “You think you will be?”
    “Yeah.” I grin. “Worried I might leave?”
    “I shouldn’t be, right? We’ve just met and started getting to know each other, but in all honesty, yes, I did think about it.”
    I like that she has. I’m not sure how to tell her that I’d be worried if I were to leave too. Finally, I just say, “I’d be worried if I thought there was a chance you could leave.”
    Ariella blushes. “So, I’m not insane to be thinking about it?”
    “Not at all. I’ll take a wild guess and say you never want to leave Memphis?”
    “I would like to travel, but no, I wouldn’t want to move away. Memphis is home to me and my family is here. I want to watch Lil D grow up and I’d,” she hesitates before continuing, “I’d like to see my kids grow up in the same neighborhoods I did.”
    I nod. “I understand that. I’ve lived in so many places, even as a kid that I’m kind of used to not really having