Page 124 of A River of Crows

“No.” Sloan pulled out a chair from the table. “You sit.”

“Have you thought any more about the position here?” Dylan asked, lowering himself into the chair. “No pressure, of course.”

Sloan smiled. “I’m going to apply.”

“Really? That’s great!” He drummed his fingers on the table. “I guess you don’t have much choice with your mom and all, but it’s still great.”

Sloan flicked off the burner. “I’d stay even if I had a choice.” She met Dylan’s eyes as she turned from the stove. She didn’t realize that eyes so dark could shine like that.

Dylan’s phone began to vibrate just as Sloan set a tray of bacon and toast on the table. She wasn’t trying to snoop, but the name flashing across the screen was impossible to miss. Felicity. Sloan’s breath caught.

Dylan looked at the phone and then back up at Sloan, the sparkle gone from his eyes. “I have no idea why she’s calling. We haven’t talked in a while.”

Sloan wanted to trust him, wanted to force her heart to beat normally again, but Felicity’s words from last night looped in her head. I’ve been talking to Dylan Lawrence.

Dylan reached for the phone and answered with an unsure hello. “Oh, hi. Yes, I’m here with her now. Would you like to talk to her?”

Sloan didn’t want to talk to Felicity, but it was better than Dylan talking to her. He handed his phone across the table. “It’s for you.”

“Hello,” Sloan said, hoping she’d put enough disdain in her voice.

“Hey, Sloan. It’s Kyle.”

Sloan looked at Dylan. He raised his hands and shrugged.

“I tried to call you a few times this morning,” Kyle said. Sloan patted her pocket. She must have left her phone in the bedroom. “And I had to call from my sister’s phone because, well . . . you know.”

Sloan poked her tongue into her cheek. “Well, I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not.”

“Can’t say I blame you,” Kyle said.

“So, why are you calling?” Sloan asked.

“I wanted to apologize to you and Ridge. Is he around?”

“Left last night,” Sloan said. No way she could trust Kyle with the truth.

“Shoot. I hoped he’d be willing to see Dad again.”

Sloan put a hand on her hip. “So, Dad made you call?”

“Dad asked me not to call.” Kyle raised his voice. “He said to leave you alone. That you both needed time, but I figured there wasn’t much time to spare when it came to Ridge.”

“You’re right. No time at all.”

“Look, I said I was sorry, and I am. I won’t say anything. I’m pissed about it all, but my mom means a lot to me, and I don’t want to hurt her. She’s been through enough.”

Sloan gave a harsh laugh. “Haven’t we all?”

Kyle sighed. “Mom bought Dad a cell phone. Felicity texted his number to your phone in case you or Ridge want to get ahold of him. If you talk to Ridge, tell him I’m sorry. I’d ask you for his number, but—”

“Not a chance,” Sloan interrupted.

“Fine.” Kyle cleared his throat. “Well, I tried. Take care.”

Sloan hung up the phone, wishing she’d told Kyle to delete her number from Felicity’s phone and Dylan’s number, too, while he was at it.

She handed the phone back to Dylan. “Sorry for assuming the worst when her name popped up.”

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