Page 67 of Finding Our Reality

“Following you? I’m not following you. I’m going to the bar for a drink. Call me crazy, but for some reason, I’m stressed out after being trapped in a room with you all day.”

Me? Stress him out? Please. My jaw falls open and I plant my hands on my hips. “Excuse me? I can’t help it if you weren’t being very observant today. Part of my job is to point out things that others may have missed.”

He’s changed out of his work polo and into a soft green T-shirt. The hem catches on his belt and gifts me with a small glimpse of his stomach when he tosses his hands in the air. “It’s hard to find something when you don’t even give me theopportunity to look. We make a great team, Lulu, but our jive was definitely off today. Something is wrong, and I just wish you would tell me what it is.”

I debate saying it. For a minute I do debate it. Then I realize that this day changed the course of his life too. He should remember it. It was a pretty fucking momentous day.

Instead of answering, I just stand there, staring at him, willing him to grow a brain and remember. Wanting him to be the sensitive man I know he can be.

A group of guys cuts around our standoff in front of the bar. But not before one of the guys checks me out. He’s not shy about it and even hisses a sound of appreciation between his teeth. I’m wearing a white blouse and a blue skirt, with nude wedges on my feet. I glance over at the guy and watch as his eyes trail slowly up every inch of my legs. He’s fairly cute. Maybe a couple of years younger than me, if I had to guess.

Ry takes a step in his direction. “Hey, asshole, eyes to yourself.”

Ignoring Ry, the guys walk into the bar, and I stomp my foot like a child throwing a tantrum. “What was that?”

Ry glances from the door to me and back again. “Are you being serious right now? That guy was checking you out.”

“Yeah. So?”

“Oh, excuse me!” Ry bows like he’s begging for an apology. “I didn’t realize you needed affirmation from random strangers on how sexy you look. The Lulu I know is pretty damn confident without it.”

“Shut up. It’s not about that, and you know it. I have to deal with women fawning all over you all the time. I bought stock in four major condom companies because of you. And you can’t even stand for oneguy tolookat me. Kind of a double standard, don’t you think?”

I don’t give him time to respond. I swing open the door and charge my way to the bar. Will’s not working tonight, it’s just Cullen and one of the other bartenders. I plop down at the edge of the bar and immediately order a Long Island Iced Tea. In frustrating fashion, the only other available barstool is caddy corner next to me, and I’m not lucky enough for him to sit at a table tonight. Oh, hell no, he’ll sit next to me just to drive me crazy.

“Uhhh… everything okay, guys?” Cullen sits my drink in front of me and opens a beer for Ry.

We answer at the exact same time. “Yes” for me and “No” for him.

“So, which is it?”

Ry leans forward, pointing a finger at me. “She would have you believe everything is just fine, but it’s not. And she refuses to tell anyone what’s wrong.” He guzzles his beer and scoffs. “Women.”

“Like you know women.” I lift the drink to my lips and sniff it before setting it back down. “The only thing you know about women are which holes make you happy. Fortunately for you, it’s easy to figure out. One has lipstick, the other has pubic hair.”

Ry leans over, invading my personal space. The scent of his soap mingles in the air. His whisper is ragged, like his voice is being dragged across glass. “If I recall correctly,onewoman I know shaved bald. Andsheloved it when I touched her and tasted her smooth skin. It made her moan and scream.”

Well, I walked right into that one.

Snatching my purse and drink off the counter, I hop down from the bar. “Cullen, I’m going in the back room. I have a work phone call I need to return.”

I pace around the storeroom for a good ten minutes before finally calming down enough to come out. As soon as I open the door, I see Ry walking toward me. The expression on his face iseasy to read—concern, worry, regret. He’s coming to apologize. Except he’s wanting to apologize for his behavior today, not his behavior from twelve years ago that he can’t even remember.

Glancing around for an escape, I spot my admirer and his group of friends mingling around the pool tables. I make a beeline for them before I can change my mind. It’s been a while since I’ve left the bar with someone. I think that’s just what Ry needs to see right now.

Sliding next to the stranger, I gently squeeze his bicep with my free hand. “Hi. I just wanted to say I’m sorry for my friend’s behavior. It was completely uncalled for.”

Out the side of my eye, I watch as Ry freezes in his tracks. He definitely doesn’t like what he sees. His jaw clenches and hands ball into fists. When the guy wraps his arm around my waist, it takes literally all my strength to stay relaxed and not stiffen my spine. I must fake it pretty good because Ry drags his hand over his sexy three-day scruff and turns around, leaving me to my own destructive devices.

“Friend? Not a boyfriend?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m single.”

He smiles. He has a dimple on his left cheek. In my wedges, I’m about an inch taller than him. He doesn’t seem to mind though. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day. I’m Alec.”

“Ella. Nice to meet you.”

“You play pool, Ella?”

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