Page 62 of Rushing Into Love

Ryder: He needs a girlfriend. Know any candidates? He’s been very grumpy for the last 2 years

Bree: Hahaha. Sorry. I don’t have any connections here

Ryder: Mom asked me to invite you over to the house for Pops’ bday party

Bree: Really? When?

Ryder: Tonight. I know it’s short notice, but she threw it together last minute

Bree: Will Quinn be there?

Ryder: He’ll probably stop by. Think he’s working tonight

Bree: Ok, I’ll come

Ryder: I hope so ??

Bree: You’re a naughty boy, Ryder McCauliffe

Ryder: That’s what you love about me

Bree: True. And you don’t have a boulder on your shoulder like your brother

Ryder: He’ll get over it, don’t worry. I’ll talk to him

Bree: Ok. Do it before tonight if you get a chance

Ryder: Will do. I’ll pick you up at six

* * *

Even though Iwas super nervous about seeing Quinn after our tense run-in at the Rowdy, I was excited to see Ryder. I blow dried my hair, selected a black maxi dress and gold jewelry. Then I applied eyeliner, mascara, and a touch of nude lip gloss. I threw on a denim jacket and slid on my black ballet flats.

“Bree, Ryder’s here!” my sister called down the hallway.

Grabbing a grey-and-white striped scarf and my leather crossbody, I swung out of my room.

“Hey you,” said Ryder, placing a soft kiss on my cheek. He looked me up and down appraisingly.

“Hey.” I gave him a quick hug. He was wearing a checked button down with dark jeans and smelled fantastic. I resisted the urge to nuzzle into him, since Brooks was standing there.

“Don’t wait up,” I said, snagging the gift bag and waving goodbye. “See you later!”

Taking Ryder’s hand, we walked out to his car.

“Um, I didn’t really want to start the night like this, but I thought you should know,” Ryder said as he opened the car door for me. I noted his furrowed brow, his tense eyes.

“What? What’s going on?”Had Quinn said something to Ryder? Was there another paparazzi incident? Was Charlie okay?Possibilities whizzed through my mind.

Ryder read the worried expression on my face. “Relax, Bree, it’s nothing catastrophic. Shayna contacted my lawyer again. And this time she sent photos.”

I raised my eyebrows in suspicion. “Photos? Of what?”

“Me and you at the Fall Festival.”

I clenched my fists at my side, anger rising up inside me. “Similar to the photos of us when I first came to town?”

Ryder nodded. Pieces began to fall into place for me. It hadn’t been Pax who’d alerted the tabloids, it had been Shayna. She almost ruined my career and for what reason? Because I was dating Ryder?

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