Page 251 of Well Played

Alice rolled her eyes at her friend. Deep inside, she knew Grace had the best intentions and was probably right about the timing, but in her heart, she hoped Grace was wrong about Ryan. Or that’s what Alice thought before everything she’d heard that afternoon. She didn’t say another word as she climbed out of Lucy’s mini.

She wouldn’t rush, and yet she couldn’t resist moving towards him. The gravel crunching under her feet echoed in her ears. Getting closer, she smoothed down the blue dress she had chosen with such care during the week. Her stomach tumbled, and she clenched her muscles in an insane attempt to stop the churning. When Ryan’s smile broke into a wide grin, she struggled to stay calm.Just listen to what he has to say. He’s probably after somewhere to sleep. Don’t be silly. He wouldn’t have any trouble finding a bed.

“Nice sunglasses.”

“I have a pair for you,” Ryan said, passing her the plastic glasses. “I thought you liked cats,” he shrugged. “Did you have fun tonight?”

“Thanks.” She looked at the cats on the sunglasses, tried them on and took them straight off again. Laughing, she spoke softly. “The food was amazing. What about you? I’m surprised to see you back.”

“I just had another of those sandwiches.”

“You didn’t go out with the team?”

“I had other plans, but they didn’t work out.” His smile was soft now as he reached out to trace her jaw with one perfect finger. His searching eyes made her want to look away. “Can we talk? I have your favourite chocolate.”

“I don’t know, Ryan.”Is this where I get hurt again?

“Well, maybe you would listen?” When she couldn’t reply, he tried again. “Whatever you heard, it made you mad at me, Alice, and that nob has hurt you enough. I wanted to explain before, but I didn’t know if you were ready.”

“And I am now?”

“If I don’t take this chance, I might never get another. I need to try.”

Alice looked back at her friends, waved, and then moved closer to Ryan as he jumped down from the truck, taking off hissunglasses to look at her properly. Alice felt the intensity of his stare.

Ryan thrust his hands into his pockets. “About what Sam was saying.”

“What about it?” Alison snapped and then regretted it.

“I guess it depends on what you heard,” he shrugged.

“Oh, I see; you’re hoping you only have to explain so much?”

“Alice, please, this isn’t easy. Damn! Where do I start?”

God, he looks so lost. I need to let him explain. Is Christa right?

“Shall we try a walk down to the lake?” She suggested.

Ryan held out his hand to Alice, and her body fizzed, desperate for that connection. Too afraid of the hurt that might follow, she walked on without taking it, and he fell into step at her side. Once they were a few yards away from anyone else, Ryan let out an enormous sigh and looked down at Alice.

“Sam’s worried about me. He might not look like anything ever bothers him, but most of that is a cover. His dad … well, let’s say he wasn’t the best; he stayed away most of the time. When he was there, it was even worse. My mum’s had me looking after Sam since I was five.”

“I don’t see what this has to do with us?”

“Us? So, there could still be an Us?”

Alice shrugged and looked away, walking on.

“OK. I guess Sam was trying to look out for me.”

“For you?”

“I hate to say this … you’ve recently broken up with Tom, and Sam thought when Christa dumped him … trust me, she has already left.”

Alice stopped and turned to stare at Ryan.Whatever next?

“I mean it, Alice. I have no doubt she’ll step on him. A weekend like this would never suit her, however fancy the motor home Tom hired.”

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