Page 39 of I Did Before I Do

“Yeah. And I thought I’d ask if I could take you to dinner. No pressure, no expectations, just dinner. As friends.”

I looked up at him.

God.

Maybe I needed to say yes.

Ryker was a fling, not a future. He was a little fun for now.

A guy like Jay could be a future.

He was stable and safe. He had a boat and a membership to the nearest country club. He went on four vacations a year—two to the islands.

But Ryker was fun.

And a little risky.

And maybe I wanted to take some risks for now. I was young, and for the first time in my life, a single adult. I had some freedom that I’d never had before.

Settling down with a safe bet like Jay was the last thing I wanted.

“I appreciate that, but, I’m good.” I smiled. “Thank you. It really does mean a lot.”

He frowned. “Oh. Well, fine. Okay.”

“Okay.”

“Fine.” He got up and walked out of the lunchroom.

* * * * *

Mr. Bridges walked into my office at ten to five with a stack of manila folders in his hand. “Sydney,” he said.

I knew that tone, and it meant that this was a big deal.

He dropped the stack of folders on my desk. “Sydney, I need you to go over this case. Immediately. It’s very important and can’t wait until tomorrow.”

“I—”

I had plans.

With Ryker.

And I really, really didn’t want to blow them off.

But this was my job, and it’s not like I had a lot of room to negotiate. I was still the newbie on the team.

I put on a smile. “Yes, sir. I just need to send a quick text, rearrange some plans I had tonight.”

“Good girl.” He turned and left.

I hated being called that.

The last thing I wanted to do was stay and work on this. No—the last thing I wanted to do was text Ryker and cancel our plans for tonight.

But I didn’t have a choice. I shut my eyes, took a deep breath, and grabbed my phone.

Hey… I hate to do this, but I’ve gotta stay late tonight.

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