Page 42 of Embracing Trust

But all the while, I can’t help wondering, what’s going to happen with Ryan today? I suck in another breath and blow it out slowly as I force myself to calm.

One step at a time.

There are a few thumps on the front door—Ryan’s signature knock. After I take one final steadying breath, I open the door and invite him in. He’s wearing shorts and a tight white t-shirt that hugs his chest.

This man makes my stomach do a little flip.

Ryan holds up a sack with the familiar blue logo and steps into my foyer.

I gasp. “Sam’s?” I can practically taste the delicious bread as he hands me the sack.

He grins. “Lunch.”

“Yeah?” I take a peek in the sack. “Oh my gosh. I haven’t been there in years.”

He nods. “I haven’t had it since I’ve been back, and I remember how much we used to love their sandwiches.”

I take a big whiff in the sack. “Ham with Swiss?”

“With tomatoes, lettuce, pickle, and a little onion. Right?”

“You remembered.”

How could someone remember my favorite sandwich after all these years?

“I’m gonna run back out to the truck for the drinks.”

Ryan takes a few confident steps to his pickup, and I enjoy the view of his ass in those shorts along with his muscular sun-tanned legs. He grabs a second sack and appears in my foyer again.

I look in the sack. “Yes!”

“Root beer,” he says with a grin.

“I’ll put these in the fridge. Come on in.”

Ryan looks around the living room. “You did a great job on this, Jules.”

“Thank you.”

He follows me into the kitchen, leans against the countertop just behind me, and takes in his surroundings. I open the fridge where I put in the sandwiches and drinks.

“Looks a lot different than the last time you were here, huh?” I ask as I lean into the refrigerator door. I cross my arms and squeeze them close to my body, to give Ryan a little cleavage.

Geez, what’s with me?

“Yes, a lot different. I like the cabinets.” He eyes the kitchen appreciatively.

I take Ryan to the newly remodeled family room at the back of my house. He looks out the French doors that lead to my patio with the best view of the ocean.

I grab the pull and allow the drapes to open wide.

Ryan takes a breath. “Wow.”

I point to the desk and chair. “This is where I meet with clients to plan photo shoots.”

“Nice.”

“Wanna see the studio?”

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