In Between the Lines | Completed

Chapter Sixteen | Flirting with Regret

Vivian Jones

"Eomeoni!" Sj runs over to me, dropping his duffel bag on the ground as he launches his full weight at me.

I laugh and swing him around in the air, lifting him up.

"Baby!"

He doesn't protest at the nickname but immediately launches into a story about his victorious triumph over the right field team at the previous night's competition.

"Lee and Ryan were super helpful in making sure we kicked their BUTTS!"

"Sj, what have I said about making sure you're calling people by their full names if they're older than you." I remind him. "I'm sure Mr. Lee and Mr. Ryan deserve your respect and want you to use their full names even in English."

"Lee told me to call him that and Ryan—"

"I actually prefer Ryan over my full name." A voice interrupts.

I look up and see a handsome man in joggers and a black sweatshirt walking over to us. He smiles at me brightly, showing off his perfectly straight teeth and my heart thumps in my chest as I take in his broad shoulders, muscular figure, and long legs. His face is familiar, but I can't quite place it.

Um, yummmm... now that is one tall, dark, and handsome man.

"Oh, I'm sorry. We weren't saying anything bad about you Mr. Ryan—"

"It's alright. I asked Sj to call me by my American name, it's a good reminder of back home."

"You used to play back in America, that's right!" I grin as I place his familiar face. "You played on the triple A team for St. Louis! You're a pitcher!"

Ryan Jae grins, "It's nice to know I have such beautiful fans all over the world."

Be still my dead and empty heart. Handsome and good with his words. Make sure you take notes for your next book.

"That's really sweet Mr—"

"Call me Ryan, Miss Jones."

I blush, "Then call me Vivian."

Sj tugs on my arm, "See Mom, I told you he said to call him Ryan."

"When I first met Sj he was wearing a St. Louis hat and I knew we would be the best of friends. It was good to see someone who knew who the best team in American baseball was."

"Only American baseball? I'd say we have a fair shot of claiming the best in the world with our impressive history," I argue.

"True, but as a native Korean trying to get a fan base going on a new team, I have to show some sort of countryman pride."

I laugh as Sj hands me his bag and bounces on his feet waiting for me to return the focus to his story of triumph, "I guess that's a fair point. Just if you always remember who the best American team is."

"Of course," he concedes.

"And that baseball is best watched when cheering your team on live in the stands."

"Anyone who thinks watching a game on a screen is better than the smell of foam fingers, fresh popcorn, and cotton candy is insane." Ryan agrees.

"Eomeoni, is Meimei meeting us for dinner?" Sj asks suddenly, rubbing his stomach. I turn to my son and wag a finger at him.

"Aunt Mei is not giving you any candy or treats until AFTER you practice your scales for at least 30 minutes." I respond, tapping him on the nose. "And we're having pork chops for dinner, not pizza."