Page 34 of The Waiter at Table 6

We reach the basement door then, and I let go of Ryder’s hand so we can go down the stairs. When we reach the bottom, I hear his murmured “whoa.”

The basement is every man’s wet dream, from what I understand. I was the one who designed it, but I included everything my ex-husband asked for in a rec room: a big bar, a pool table, poker table, lounge area with a massive TV. Even though I never come down here, I still recognize that the room is stunning.

I walk behind the bar. “What kind of beer do you like?”

Ryder heaves a big exhale. “What do you have?”

I glance inside the fridge. I asked the property manager to restock everything as soon as I knew I was moving down here, so it’s fully stocked.

“I’ve got Corona, Lagunitas, and a local beer that I haven’t tried yet.”

“Local’s fine, thanks.”

I grab two of the local beers from the fridge, then pop the caps off and slide one across the bar to Ryder. He nods his thanks and takes a swig.

“Ooh, that’s good,” he says, looking at the label. “I’ve seen them around, but I’ve never tried one. I’ll have to see if we can get it at the restaurant.”

I try a sip of my own and immediately agree. I’ve always leaned more toward wine than beer, but now I’m wondering if that was yet another thing that was decided for me.

I take another swig.

It must be more than a swig because Ryder looks amused when I lower the bottle and lock eyes with him across the bar. “So…tell me all about this great day of yours.”

I can’t stop the grin that appears on my face. “I took a pole dancing class.”

Delight twinkles in Ryder’s eyes. “Really? Holy shit, that’s amazing.” When he extends his beer bottle for a cheers, I don’t even hesitate before clinking ours together. “How’d it feel?”

“Incredible,” I say on a big sigh. “I was so nervous, but the women were really nice and the teaching was great. I felt like the sexiest woman in the world by the time I left.”

“You are the sexiest woman in the world.”

Ryder rolls his lips after his quick comment, as if it came out before he could stop it. His cheeks pinken the slightest bit, and he opens his mouth to say something, but then it closes again. His expression turns apologetic.

Except…an apology is the last thing I want from him.

Something has changed. In me. Because the idea of letting Ryder a little closer doesn’t feel as suffocating as it did. Not because he was suffocating, but because I didn’t have enough of my own air to trust in myself that I wouldn’t try to take on his.

And it feels so good to feel that sense of self-confidence. I finally feel more like myself, instead of the reflection of someone else.

So with a smile on my face and eyes locked on his, I say in a soft purr, “Thank you.”

There’s a flash of surprise in his eyes. Then a slow grin stretches across his face. “You’re welcome.”

I watch as he takes a swig of his beer, keeping his attention on me the whole time. I get the feeling he’s waiting to see what I’ll do next.

“How about a game of pool?” I ask.

He lowers the bottle. “Only if you’re not a prodigy at that, too. My ego can’t take the hit today.”

I chuckle and make my way around the bar to the pool table. “I think you’re the one who’s good for my ego.”

I don’t realize he’s passing behind me until I hear his breath on my neck. “Good,” he whispers.

I’m sure he sees the shiver that runs through me, but I don’t care. I want to burn from his effect on me.

I’m not quite sure how to give in to it fully yet, so I busy myself with grabbing the triangle rack and collecting the balls. “I have a confession,” I say after a moment. I wait until Ryder meets my eyes where he’s picking his pool stick. “I have no idea how to play pool. Or how to start. Do the balls have to go in an order in this thing?”

That evokes a chuckle from him. Then he’s walking around the table and pulling the rack from my hands, quickly swiping the balls into the triangle.

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