Page 36 of The Scars of Us

Now I’m definitely not going to get any work done.

I anxiously sat on Nori’s bed as she helped me with my make-up for my date. I had told Kamden that I was going to dinner with her, not Ryker. I knew he wouldn’t approve, and I didn’t want to get a lecture from him, not when I was feeling so good.

“Stop moving,” Nori scolded as she applied my eye shadow.

“I’m sorry, I’m just so nervous. I don’t think I can do this,” I said as I started panicking. My palms started sweating as I wrung my fingers together.

Nori stopped what she was doing and put her hands on my shoulders. “Calm down. Deep breaths—in, out, in, out.”

Doing as she said, I slowly inhaled and exhaled until I felt calmer.

Nori looked at me with concern. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, Ky.”

“You don’t think I should?”

“No, I think you should. You’ve been giving that poor guy blue balls for weeks now.”

“Nori!” I exclaimed as I smacked her arm.

“What? You have.”

“I know.” I let out a deep breath. “He’s been pretty understanding, but I’m just scared I’ll get hurt. If Kaleb, my own brother, my own blood, hurt me, thenhow can I possibly believe that Ryker won’t?”

“You don’t know for sure, Ky. You can’t punish everyone for Kaleb’s actions. He has mental issues. Look at Kam—he’s never hurt you and never will, same with Bryce. There are some good men out there.”

Absorbing Nori’s words, I contemplated what she said. Even though she was right, my defense mechanisms wouldn’t fully accept it. I could never completely trust anyone, her and Kamden included.

With pursed lips and a raised eyebrow, she shook the eyeshadow brush in my face. “So, am I finishing your make-up or not?”

Smiling, I nodded. Even with all the conflicting thoughts running through my head, I couldn’t deny that I wanted to see Ryker. Maybe I could let everything go and just have fun for one night. Unlikely, but a girl could hope.

I was about ten minutes late, as usual, and Ryker was waiting just inside the doors. Dressed in a nice, black dress shirt and dark jeans, he had his sleeves pushed up, exposing the tattoos on his forearms.

Our eyes met as he gave me his trademark smirk. Heat flooded my entire body as I took him in, and I wondered why I kept resisting him—he was absolutely gorgeous and made me feel so many amazing things that I’d never felt before.Because you’re crazy, that’s why.

As I approached, he brought me into his arms as he pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. “You look beautiful,” he complimented.

“So do you. I mean handsome—you look handsome,” I stammered.Great start.

His chest rumbled with laughter as he kept me against him. Keeping my hand in his, he pulled away and led me to the hostess stand.

When the hostess directed her attention to us, she gave Ryker a flirtatious smile. “I was hoping she wouldn’t show—my shift ends in fifteen minutes.”

Jealously sparked through me as my eyes narrowed and my hand tightened around Ryker’s.Bitch. I’m standing right here.

Ryker released my hand to wrap his arm around the small of my back, drawing me into his body. He pressed a kiss to my temple, causing her smile to fade as he said, “She was just running late, right, baby?”

Giving her a smug smile, I leaned into Ryker, placing my hand on his chest. “Two, please.”

Her eyes thinned as she huffed and grabbed two menus. Ryker chuckled as she angrily stomped in her heels while leading us to our table.

“What a bitch,” I said after she walked away.

Ryker laughed, “Jealous, huh?”

Yes.“No! She was just rude.”

Ryker gave me a knowing look before directing his attention to the menu. The waiter arrived to take our order after a few minutes, then left to get our drinks.

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