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I wanted to find about Nori’s likes and dislikes. How long was she staying in Pineville? Would her work let her take a longer vacation if I gave her a reason to stay? Oh, yeah, work. I didn’t even know what she did for a living.
“A woman with a good sense of humor is a rare thing. But I think it’s my turn again. What do you do? For your career, I mean.”
Her smile faltered for a moment but she quickly recovered. Wrong question? Maybe she was out of a job and that’s why she came to visit her parents, or —
“I…um. I’m a writer.”
Her face lit up as she said, ‘writer’, and I suddenly wanted to keep that smile on her face. All the time.
“Wow, that’s awesome. What do you write about?”
Nori shifted her position, then stretched her arms over her head, her breasts lifted, and all thoughts about being a gentleman went out the window.
“Uh-uh…that’s two questions. My turn.” Nori took a long drink from the bottled water I had already stocked the fridge with the last time I was here. As she swallowed, I felt beads of sweat pop out all over.
“How old are you?”
“Forty-three. How old are you?”
“Thirty-eight? What’s your favorite food?”
“A brisket sandwich at O’Malley’s pub and the house truffle fries. They have this chef there; I think her name is Taya. Anyway, she can make a flat tire taste like filet mignon. A couple of the players own the place. You should try it while you’re in town. Okay, next question for you. What country would you like to visit that you’ve never been to before?” Nori opened her mouth, then closed it.
“That’s a great question. With my job, I’ve been so many places. Tell me where’d you like to go while I think about it.”
How many places does a writer need to visit to write? Maybe she was a travel writer? “Sure. I’d want to go to Scotland or Ireland. Maybe after I retire. I’d take my son with me. Soak up the land of our ancestors. Hit up the pubs. Be one of those annoying American tourists.” I laughed because it was true. I’m sure I’d stick out like a sore thumb.
I waited a beat for her to answer, then asked her one last question. It was getting late, and I knew she needed rest, but I was getting the weird feeling she didn’t want me to know more about her writing…that’s it!Suddenly I knew why. Snapping my fingers, I said, “You’re a romance writer, right? That’s why you acted funny at first when I asked about your job. Hey, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. My sisters consume romances like they were their last meal or something. I tease them all the time that they need to write one together. I’ve read that it’s the most popular genre in the world. You should be proud of it.”
Nori did a slow blink, then started to chuckle. Then her chuckle turned into a full belly laugh and she wrapped her arms around her stomach. She laughed so hard her shoulders shook.
“Okay then. Not the response I was expecting. I got it wrong, huh?”
Nodding and wiping the tears from her eyes, she took in a deep breath and settled. “Yes. But the funny thing is, I have a friend who writes romance. She makes pretty good money too.
But I’m with your sisters. A good romance to escape into after a tough day is the best way to unwind. I write…essays I guess you could call them. About the people and places I visit. I had a big case of wanderlust as a kid and things worked out to where I combined that with my love of writing.”
The panic at offending her diminished and I watched as she covered her mouth as she stifled a yawn. “Okay, next question is mine. If you could do anything other than…whatever your job is… what would you do?”
Her question threw me as I thought she already knew what I did. I thought I’d already mentioned, but maybe not. It’d been a long day. “You know, we could pick this up tomorrow. Not that I’m not enjoying this, it’s been fun. I think we need to call it a night. You should get some rest.”
She let out another yawn, not bothering to hide this one. “Okay, but you need to answer as we put things away. Then I’ll brush my teeth and get settled. Deal?”
“Deal.” I answered. I didn’t have to think for long. I was living my dream. “I have the best job in the world. Well, actually, I was lucky enough to have two. Baseball is my life. I couldn’t ask for anything better than being a coach for the Outlaws. I got the job after I retired from playing five years ago.”
We carried our plates into the kitchen. I waited for her to respond. Maybe tease me again, say something about baseball wasn’t a job, it was a game. Some people didn’t see being an athlete as a real job, just men and women never really growing up, playing a sport for money. I really hoped she wasn’t one of those people.
But she was actively listening with a smile on her face and the urge to kiss her right became overwhelming. So much so that I was having trouble thinking up something else to say to cover the awkward silence.
“I have a confession to make.”
Oh, man, here it comes. She hates baseball.
“I knew who you were when I ran into the gas station like a madwoman. But I didn’t want to come off like a groupie or something. You were famous in your playing days, plus all those commercials you did. And I know the press has been tough on you lately, so I didn’t say anything. I’m sorry I should have come clean, especially after you offered your help.”
Huh, not the confession I was expecting. “Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. The press has been ruthless. I mean, there are plenty of single players, younger players in their prime to follow and write about. Not sure why they’re spending their time on an old man like me.”
Nori let out an adorable snort-laugh. And even better, she didn’t apologize for it. She was the most genuine person I’d met in a long time.
