Page 75 of Pulled Away

“It’s okay. He’s most probably dealing with some crisis at Frosty’s. Anyway, I see Grace waving at me. Thank you all so much for being here tonight.”

Her smile is brave, but she can’t hide how much his absence hurts her.

“I’ll walk with you,” I say, hooking my arm in hers. “I want to have another look at your amazing work.”

Using this as an opportunity to get away from Ryan might be cowardly, but I don’t care.

We part ways when we reach Grace, and I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted another look at Maya’s work. She is really good. Really, really good. Once I have enough money, I’m going to commission a set of paintings for the rescue’s reception area.

“Glad to see you’re happier with your drink tonight.”

Smiling, I turn to Derick, lifting my glass slightly. “It’s champagne. I would come across as completely uncultured if I grimaced at every sip.”

“We can’t have that, can we?” he chuckles.

I take a sip, eying him curiously. “First a restaurant bar and now a gallery. I didn’t realize how small this town is.”

“The joys of small-town life. I don’t usually hang around galleries,” he says, looking around while running a hand through his hair. “But my cousin begged me to come, so here I am. For moral support.”

“So he’s one of the artists?”

“Yes, he’s the one standing over there, next to the painting of a…turtle?” he says, squinting.

I follow his line of sight, doing some squinting myself. “It’s rather abstract, but I think it might be a cluster of turtles.”

“You know, I think you might be right,” he chuckles, squinting harder. “Anyway, that’s why I’m here. You? Do you hang out in galleries often?”

“Can’t say I do. I’m supporting my friend. She’s an amazing artist.”

“So, how have you been?”

“Busy.” I shrug, leaving it at that. It’s such a bland thing to say, but it’s not like I’m about to blab the sorry tale of my life to someone who’s essentially a stranger.

“Where’s your boyfriend? I’m expecting him to come storming over any moment to mark his territory.”

I grimace, looking down at my glass. “He’s around. But there’ll be no marking of territory tonight.”

“Hmm,” he hums. “So, in honor of not beating around the bush, are you still together?”

“Nope.”

“So, now if I asked if I could buy you a drink, it would be completely fair?”

I stare at him, debating. I’m not in the habit of lying to myself. My confidence took a knock with this whole Hadley situation. I’m not in a place where I’m ready to get involved with someone else. My heart needs to be free and clear before I can do that, and I’m not there yet.

But what harm can it do to go for drinks with someone who finds me attractive? With someone I find attractive? As long as I make it clear as to where I’m at, and manage expectations, why not?

“It still won’t be fair if you buy me a drink,” His face falls, “but I’d like to meet for a drink. We could go dutch.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes,” I nod, a mixture of emotions roiling in my gut. As if the universe has a sick sense of humor, I look to the side of Derick, and my eyes meet Ryan’s. He’s standing by himself, his hands in his pockets, his eyes, as always, on me. But it’s the expression on his face that causes my breath to stutter. It’s twisted with emotion, his eyes dark with a mixture of desolation and loss.

And he lets me see all of it.

Chapter twenty-seven

Ryan

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