Page 20 of The Right Move

“Like a joke,” Maddison laughs. “Guy makes so much money he could own the entire building.”

“Why does he live there then?” I finally cut in. “The apartment is gorgeous, but if he makes that much—”

“Because he’s practical,” Zanders reminds me. “He doesn’t indulge in anything.”

Four plates, four sets of silverware, four bowls. Organized to the point of insanity. Is it self-control to live as precisely as Ryan does or is it a form of self-punishment?

Remembering how rude he was the night he came home and found the mess I created, it’s all starting to make sense. I upended his structure, his routine. His control was taken away in the one space he finds solace.

And I’m the crazy new roommate who threw a shoe at his door.

I can’t imagine going through life the way he does, never being able to let his guard down with all eyes on him, but if his apartment is the one place he can do it, then the black and white minimalistic prison he’s living in isn’t going to cut it.

It’s decided. I’m going to bring some color into Ryan Shay’s life if it’s the last thing I do.

The sun was already rising by the time I left the airport. Between the overtime win in Edmonton and clearing customs, I made it home hours after I had planned. Coffee seemed like a good idea. Hell, it’s always a good idea, but especially when it’s my first full day in the apartment and I have a mess to unpack. Not to mention, I’m hoping to spend time with my new roommate today, so I want to be as perky as possible because I’m going to make sure Ryan Shay enjoys living with me if it’s the last thing I do.

“Would you like a carrying tray?” the barista asks.

“Please. That’d be great. Thank you.”

“Indy?” I hear from behind me as I stack my coffees. “Oh my God, Indy, is that you?”

Turning, I find a group of girls—my friends. My childhood life-long friends.

“Maggie? Hi!” I burst, quickly engulfing her in a hug. “I missed you. Hi, you guys.” I look over her shoulder before hugging three more of my long-time girlfriends. “I missed you all! What are you doing downtown so early?”

Hesitating, Maggie’s face drops. “We’re…uh…we’re going shopping for the bridesmaid dresses.”

“Oh.”

“I’m sorry. I would’ve invited you. I honestly didn’t know you were back in Chicago. I thought you might still be in Florida.”

“I texted you when I got back. I texted all of you.”

“Well, come with us! This is perfect that we ran into you today.”

I look down at my uniform, needing to change, needing to sleep. Wishing she would’ve told me, so I could’ve planned.

“Mags,” Angie cuts it. “We only booked for four.”

“That’s okay,” I offer with a forced smile. “I just landed from a work trip and haven’t slept yet. I need to change. I have a really full day,” I lie. “Just…let me know which dress you guys pick so I know what to order.”

“I miss you, Ind.” Maggie runs a palm down my arm. “Can we all get together soon? It’s been way too long.”

“Yes, please,” I sigh in relief. “I miss you all so much. Is everyone still doing Wednesday night trivia at Scouts? I’m in town this week. I can come!”

The girls exchange nervous glances. “We are…” Angie hesitates.

Maggie’s head tilts with sympathy. “But Alex still goes, and you know how close the guys are.”

“Right. Of course, they are.” There’s a lump in my throat that I’d like to blame on exhaustion or being an emotional person as it is, but that hurt.

There was a big group of us kids who were glued to each other from a young age. The numbers never dwindled, and we formed what I thought was an unbreakable bond and a lifelong friendship. Maggie and Kevin started dated shortly after Alex and me, and the other couples formed years later. I thought these were my people. I thought I was going to raise my future children with these women, and now it feels as if I’m the one left out. As if I was the one who was unfaithful to my partner of six years.

“Let’s have a girls’ night soon, yeah?” Maggie suggests. “When the boys are busy.”

Another forced smile because that’s what I do. “Definitely. You and Kevin, you’re good?”

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