Page 12 of Undone, Love Times Three

That hits me right in the chest. “I’m sorry,” I say, looking into his eyes.

He stares back for a moment, then breaks the look and glances at his hands, which are now clasped between his thighs.

“It’s funny,” he says, his brow creased. “I went on a blind date and got stood up. But I didn’t know that, because I met an amazing woman. I guess I should thank you for not letting me look like an idiot with a rose.”

“You have a problem with damaging flowers. The stem was broken. Did you know that?”

Ryan turns to look at me. I chew my lip. Wow, another foot in mouth moment right there.

“I didn’t know that,” he answers, bemused. He almost smiles too and my heart lifts. Till he heaves out a heavy sigh and shakes his head.

“I really am sorry.”

“Yeah,” he gives me a look I can’t decipher. He says the words I’ve been expecting. “I should go.”

“Sylvie!”

We both turn at the shriek from the door behind us. Renee is standing there, tugging at her hair.

“Oh my God. Come, quickly!”

Ryan jumps to his feet, reacting immediately to the fear in her voice. I lean forward and look around his hips so I can see my employee.

“It’s Lurch,” she cries. “I think he’sdying!”

Six

Ryan

I don’t hesitate, I run to the door. All I heard is someone is dying and my instincts kick in. Whoever it is, needs my help. The woman from the store runs inside and I race after her. Only vaguely hearing Sylvie calling out to me from behind.

Inside I search for someone in distress. Sylvie rushes past me and everyone is hovering around the counter. What the hell? Is the person behind there? Is it a child? I hurry over as the womanfrom the door wails and Sylvie grabs on to something on the table.

I’m about to barge through them, to take charge and help whoever it is but I stop when I get a look between Sylvie and the second woman.

I stare down at the counter, at a complete loss for words. The name she said outside comes back to me. As does the story ‘Alison’ told me about her pet.

Lurch.

I watch in a complete stupor as Sylvie puts her hand inside the mouth of the tortoise on the counter and drags out a long half chewed length of green ribbon.

“Lurch, what were you thinking? This isnotfood,” she scolds him.

The animal makes a weird cough, whistle sound, and tips his head up, his little mouth open. He looks pissed. If that is even an expression a tortoise can make. Sylvie sets him down, and he takes a few lumbering steps before snapping at the ribbon. It makes me jump. Jesus, that looked vicious.

“Oh my God,” Sylvie hides the ribbon behind her back. “No, you little asshole.”

I stifle a laugh. Can tortoises wrinkle their noses? Is that even a nose? I have no clue. Damn, I ran in here to rescue someone I thought was dying. And it’s a tortoise. Choking on a ribbon.

“Is he okay?” the other woman asks.

“He’s fine. He’s just greedy,” Sylvie says. She taps Lurch on the nose. “And dumb. Although I guess I can let you off. It kinda looks like your favorite food.” She picks him up and cuddles him. “Don’t do that to me again, you little dinosaur. Grams would kill me if you died before your fiftieth birthday.”

She kisses his head, and the creature closes its eyes, as if it’s enjoying the attention.

I’m bemused and intrigued, watching as they get some water and then some leafy greens for Lurch to chow down on.

He’s no worse for wear, I guess.

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