Page 75 of Crazy for You

“Ryan didn’t get to go to college, you know. He couldn’t afford it so he just worked his ass off to make up for it, and he’s done well for himself. Really well, I think. He doesn’t like the club thing any more than you do, and he’s been riding Trent hard about getting back into college. He doesn’t want his brother to make a mistake he’ll regret later on.”

Kate was silent as Carly set a plate with a cinnamon bun on it in front of her.

“Coffee?” Carly asked.

Kate nodded. “Please.”

“I actually warned him to back off,” Emma said. “I told him if he pressured Trent too hard about it, he’d push him away.”

“I didn’t know,” Kate murmured.

“He’s really a great guy, you know? He had a crap start in life, but he made something of himself anyway. He’s kind and generous and one of the most hardworking people I know. Trent’s lucky to have him as a big brother, Kate. And you should support that, instead of trying to drive a wedge between them.”

“But the tattoos…and the motorcycle…”

“What about them? Spend a little time with him, and you’ll see. Give him a chance.”

“You love him,” Kate said, giving her an assessing look.

“Yeah, I do,” Emma said softly.

On the other side of the counter, Carly dropped a plate with a crash and a muffled swear.

“Don’t even pretend you didn’t hear what I just said.” Emma shook her head with a smile. “But don’t you dare repeat it either.”

Carly straightened with a shit-eating grin and mimed zipping her lips.

“Ryan doesn’t know?” Kate asked.

“This thing between us is…well, to say it’s complicated is cliché, but we’ve been friends most of our lives, and this new step is well…new. He’s nowhere near ready to hear or say those words yet.”

“I see,” Kate said. “Well, we don’t leave until tomorrow evening. I don’t suppose he’d have an opening for a rock-climbing lesson in the morning?”

Emma couldn’t contain the smile that creased her cheeks. “You’d have to ask him, but on a Monday morning? I’m guessing he could fit you in.”

Kate nodded briskly. “We’ll just see about that.”

17

Ryan stood inside the front office, watching as Kate climbed out of the Lamars’ gray rented Lexus. Gary drove off, leaving her standing there in black leggings and a jacket. Dressed to climb. He’d hardly been able to believe his ears when she’d called to ask if he could fit her in for a lesson this morning. After the way they’d left things the other night, he’d never expected to hear from either one of them again.

Ryan picked up the bag with their gear and stepped outside. “Good morning, Kate.”

She met his gaze, her gray eyes steady. “Good morning, Ryan.”

Since she didn’t seem eager to rehash their argument—or to apologize—he decided to stick strictly to business. He wanted her to have a good time on the rock, but he was done trying to forge a relationship with her. “Great morning for a climb.”

“Yes,” she said. “It is.”

“Right, then. Let’s get going.” He led the way down the path into the woods with Kate beside him. The morning was brisk and alive with spring, birds twittering and squirrels leaping from branch to branch overhead.

“It’s really peaceful out here,” she said after they’d walked in silence for a few minutes.

“Yeah. There’s really nothing quite like it.”

“I’ve never climbed outdoors.”

“You’re in for a treat then. This is a whole different ballgame than an indoor wall. A bit trickier, but so much more worth it. When you get to the top, you get to look out over the forest, not down at the gym floor.”

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