Page 25 of A Small Town Risk

I want to sleep more, but I have to prepare. I would love to skip tonight, but I know I can’t back out.

I spring up, head to the bathroom, shower, and grab some comfortable clothes. I put my hair in a ponytail, adding some mascara and lip gloss to finish the look.And then I’m off.

I pull up the driveway a little before seven, and vehicles are already here. I notice Ryan’s black truck right away. I’m a little nervous about seeing him. I climb the stairs to the porch and gently knock on the door. It swings open.

“Hey, stranger,” Catherine says to me.

“Hi,” I say, giving her a quick hug before walking in. I hear loud noises coming from the living room area. “What’s going on?”

“The guys are watching a game.”

I follow her to the kitchen, where Elle has food bowls on the island. It looks like she’s ready to feed an army. The smell of barbecue wafts through the room. My stomach grumbles, reminding me I skipped lunch.

“Do you need any help?” I look around, seeing what I can do.

“Can you grab the potatoes off the grill? There’s a tray out there.”

Without answering, I do as she asks.

I glance at the guys on my way out, and my eyes find Ryan. He’s looking at me. I hesitate, then move along.

I pick up the tray and tongs from the table by the grill. Opening the lid, I fan out the heat and then put foil-wrapped potatoes on the tray. Behind me, the door opens and shuts. I keep working, not turning around; it’s probably Catherine or Elle telling me to speed it up. Footsteps come nearer, and a hand touches my shoulder. It’s Ryan. He kisses the back of my head.

“I’ve missed you,” he says to me.

I can feel the heat of his body against my back, along with something else. “Missed me?” I ask, grabbing the last potato and closing the lid.

He takes the tray from me.

“Thanks.” It was getting heavy.

“Did you know about tonight?” he asks.

I look at him. “No, Elle called me today and told me I was coming or else.”

“Yeah, that’s Elle.”

I let him walk ahead of me. I need a minute.

Elle has everything set up buffet style. We all fill our plates before taking our seats in the dining room. I’m surprised the guys didn’t go back to the living room to watch television. Then again, we’re eating barbeque, and Elle would freak out if anything got on her furniture.

Ryan sits beside me while I converse with Catherine. I ignore how close he is to me.

Halfway into the dinner, I’m more relaxed and don’t even mind that Ryan’s arm rests on the back of my chair. Elle and Catherine occasionally give me looks. They’re trying to figure outwhat’s going on. I told them nothing was happening between us; I’m sure they don’t believe me. It wouldn’t surprise me if they cornered me later tonight, wanting answers.

And they do. We finish cleaning the kitchen, and they drag me into the pantry and close the door behind us.

“What’s going on with you and Ryan?” Catherine asks.

I don’t know how to explain it to them. I don’t think I have to. They somehow figured it out on their own.

Elle gives Catherine a look I can’t decipher.

I have a feeling I won’t like what they’re going to say.

“I like Ryan a lot,” Elle says. “But he’s gone out with a ton of women. I heard he’s seeing Nancy from the hospital now. She’s been telling everyone that it’s pretty serious.”

I wasn’t expecting this.

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