Page 51 of Something to Someone

It was tiring, though, especially on top of all my other responsibilities and clients, which made me ever the more thankful for the help I’d hired. Addie had taken on two of the smaller parties and the pre-planning for a wedding set for next year. I wasn’t sure how she found the time with her other job, but she somehow got it done. And always did so with a smile.

My phone buzzed on the counter, but I didn’t check it immediately. I walked to the fridge and pulled out the open bottle of roséI’d been thinking about the entire drive home. My first thought was to sip directly from the bottle, but I opted for a glass instead.

I poured the remainder of the bottle into the glass and took a sip as I walked back toward my phone. I wasn’t surprised to see Ryder’s name along with a new message. We’d been texting all day, well, all week really. He’d walked me to my car that next morning and made me promise to text him when I got home since I’d missed my nonrefundable workout class.

I’d let him know I was home safe, and we hadn’t stopped talking since.

Ryder: Do you think squirrels intentionally run out into traffic? It sure as hell seems that way sometimes.

I shook my head and set my glass down to type back a response.

Me: Did you know you can have a thought and not send it to me?

His response was almost immediate.

Ryder: Trust me, these are not all my thoughts. I keep many to myself.

Me: That’s terrifying.

At the top of my screen, another text appeared from Natalie. The guilt that churned in my gut every time I saw her or thought about her or talked to or about her was unfortunate but entirely self-inflicted. As much as I hated lying to my best friend, I was more worried about what might happen if she knew. And not seeing Ryder again felt…unlikely. Especially when it was temporary because I knew I was right—eventually he’d want more, and we’d have to stop.

And hopefully the aftermath wouldn’t be too disastrous.

Natalie had sent paint swatches for their bedroom and asked my opinion. I texted her back, opting for the green rather than the dark blue, and flipped back to Ryder’s messages.

Ryder: You home yet?

Me: Yes…

He didn’t respond, and I warily slid my phone back onto the counter. I picked up my glass of wine and went back to the fridge, pulling it open and surveying the contents. What I’d planned to cook—a basic chicken and rice recipe—no longer sounded appetizing. I closed the fridge and grew frustrated with my prospects when I remembered that my favorite Italian restaurant did half-price pasta on Thursdays.

I was walking back to my phone, prepared to call in an order, when my doorbell rang.

I stopped at the edge of the island and peered around the wall into the entryway. It was a stretch, but when I squinted, I could see someone standing just beyond the opaque glass.

Pulling up the front door camera on my phone, I immediately beelined for the door when I realized who it was. I yanked it open and pulled Ryder inside a second later.

“What the hell are you doing here? Your mom is going to see your car!” I whisper-yelled because it felt fitting.

“She won’t if I’m in and out of here like I plan to be!” he whisper-yelled back, which made me stop and consider how ridiculous it was.

“Answer my first question,” I said in a normal voice. “What are you doing here?”

“What do you mean? You’re the only person who’s allowed to show up at someone’s front door unannounced?”

I shook my head and crossed my arms over my chest. “Don’t answer my question with a question. And as I know you remember, I showed up at your door wearing the outfit of your dreams, so unless you have something scandalous under your shirt and jeans, you lose.”

He narrowed his eyes and rubbed his stubble-covered jaw. “What would you like to see me in? Special kind of briefs? Maybe a T-shirt with the Superman emblem and Clark Kent-style glasses?”

“An Easter Bunny costume. Now, what are you doing here?”

He laughed but still didn’t answer my very pressing question. I opened my mouth to argue as much when he raised a hand and said, “I want to take you somewhere.”

“Take me somewhere?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

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