Page 7 of Pulled Away

She sighs. “Piper, I don’t want to get into that tonight. It’s one of my few nights off, and I want to relax.”

The band starts playing and we quieten down to listen. One minute in, my eyes meet Pipers’ and I fight back laughter when a wicked grin crosses her lips.

“Heavily recommended, you say?” she says to Maya, who’s watching the on-stage train wreck with her mouth hanging open.

“Nathan’s going to be so mad,” Rose chokes out, not bothering to hide her laughter.

I look back to the stage and holy shit, Nathan is standing off to the side, his jaw clenched and even from here, I can see his eyes blazing. A girl, who I’m assuming is Cassie since I’ve never met her, stands next to him with her hands on her hips, her mouth set in a stubborn line.

“I’ll be right back,” Maya mutters, and then she’s winding through people, making her way to Nathan.

“Is it bad that I’m happy right now?” The evil grin Piper sports sets us off again, and I’m still laughing when my phone buzzes.

“I’m guessing Nathan won’t be needing our feedback.” Chuckling, I grab my phone, my smile widening when I see Ryan’s message.

Ryan: Successfully collected the package. On the way home. Eta thirty minutes.

My laugh falls into a fond smile. He sure loves his spy movies.

Aspen: Don’t text while you drive

Thankfully Nathan ushers the train wreck off the stage and we get down to catching up and gossiping. Ryan was right. I needed this time to switch off, to forget about the endless list of things I need to do at the rescue, and stressing about where the money to do all those things will come from. Ryan would help me if I asked—he’s offered many times—but he’s already helping so much by not letting me pay rent and asking for more would feel like taking advantage.

I keep glancing between the door and my phone, waiting for Ryan. I’m hesitant to message him and come across as needy, but it’s been two hours, so surely Hadley should be settled by now.

Aspen: What time are you coming?

It takes him a few minutes to answer.

Ryan: Babe, would you mind if I give it a miss? Hadley’s exhausted and I’m not comfortable leaving her alone

Disappointment dips my stomach, but then I berate myself for being selfish. Of course, she’s exhausted. I would be too after an eleven-hour flight. But a heads-up would have been nice.

Aspen: Okay. I’ll see you later. Love you

Ryan: You’re the best. Drive safe

I’m dying to meet this mysterious friend of his, so after a brief debate with myself, I gather my bag and say goodbye to my friends.

Chapter four

Aspen

When I get home, the sound of voices leads me to the kitchen. I hesitate when I turn the corner, an uncomfortable feeling slithering up my spine. Seated across from Ryan at the kitchen table is one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen outside of a fashion magazine. She doesn’t look exhausted at all. She looks like she’s just stepped off a runway in Paris. She has a perfectly made-up face, and her dark red hair falls in waves to the middle of her back.

She murmurs something and Ryan throws his head back, laughing while she takes a sip of wine, and judging by the open bottle on the table, it’s the wine I bought last weekend.

“I can’t believe he said that to you,” Ryan chuckles, bringing his beer to his lips while shaking his head.

Clearing my throat, I’m a bit mollified when Ryan’s eyes light up when he sees me.

“Babe, you’re home.”

He gets up and crushes me in a hug, and I take a deep breath of his scent I love so much.

“I thought it rude not to get home and introduce myself to our guest.”

Grabbing my hand, he pulls me the last few steps towards the table and introduces us. Her lips, lips that are painted the same shade of red as her hair, tip up into a smile and she holds out her hand.

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