Page 40 of I Did Before I Do

Can we get together tomorrow maybe?

Or another night this week?

The reply back was fast, but not what I wanted.

Oh. Okay.

And that was it.

No follow-up text, no agreement to meet later.

JustOh. Okay.

Chapter Sixteen

Ryker

It sucked to have our plans fall through.

I had genuinely been looking forward to seeing Sydney again tonight. I hadn’t been able to knock the big stupid grin off my face—something the guys kept commenting on throughout the day.

At least Daisy was happy to see me when I got home.

We sat on the couch together, splitting beef and broccoli and fried rice. She put her head in my lap, giving me the sad dog eyes every time she wanted another piece of steak.

“This isn’t the date I had in mind, you know.”

She huffed and rolled over, closing her eyes.

“Eh. I guess you’re cute enough for me to hang out with.”

I fed her another piece of steak, dropping it on the couch for her to gobble up.

I sighed and looked down at Daisy. “I guess I could go get some drinks, huh?”

She opened one eye and looked up at me, then closed it again.

She wouldn’t mind being alone for a little while.

I took her out on a walk, though, and left her a few more pieces of beef as a treat. She was munching happily when I left.

Maybe I could swing by Hills & Bridges?

Sydney could surely use some company.

No, she was working, and I’d just be a distraction.

I’d let her work in peace and text her again tomorrow. Make plans for another night. Maybe over the weekend, so we wouldn’t have to worry about getting up early in the morning.

I’d love the chance to get her off again. More than once, in a perfect world.

Honestly, it didn’t even matter if I got laid. Seeing her like that was enough for me.

I went to The Republic and parked. It was busy already, and I had to park my car on the street and hike to the door. I walked in, taking a quick look around for anybody I might know.

Benny and Bradley were at a table close to the bar, talking animatedly.

“Hey.” I dropped into one of the empty seats at the table.

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