Page 65 of Out to Find Freedom

I nodded. “Ryan Warden.”

“What did he want?” Mattie asked, the steady, calm one in our group.

I picked up my phone and waved it about. “Just random things really. He got back to texts I responded to a couple of days ago, and then he just asked about the house and work.”

“He texted,” Julian cried.

My smile was jaw aching. “He did.”

“Did you reply?”

“I did.”

“And?”

“Nothing yet, but that was just before you guys walked through the door.” Then my phone vibrated.

“OMG!” Julian screamed. He came at me, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me up to stand. “Go, bedroom. See what he says, answer him, and then tell us if we need to reschedule due to your texting date.”

“Julian,” Mattie warned.

I gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. I promise I won’t get ahead of all this. I won’t turn my feelings into more just because he’s finally talking and paying attention to me. So far it seems like a friendship, and I’m good with that.”

I was, and I would be… I was pretty sure.

As I walked from the bedroom after reading Ryan’s replies and then answering his new questions, I stood in the doorway of the kitchen when my phone vibrated again. I glanced down. It was Ryan, again.

“Is that him, after you’ve just replied?” Julian asked.

“Yes.” I nodded and bit my bottom lip so I didn’t beam my smile at them.

“We’ve made a quick grilled chicken and salad for you. But we’ll catch up soon for dinner. For now, you enjoy your night texting Warden.”

“You don’t have to leave.”

“Dove, if that was the man who’d been on my mind for over half a year, then I would want time alone to bask in the new friendship. Though, I think—”

“Julian,” Mattie clipped.

Julian’s lips snapped together. He glared over at his man, then sighed. “Sorry, I won’t say what I think because I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up. But let me tell you, if that man’s just messing with you, I’m going to sneak into his room, cut off—”

“Julian,” Mattie bit out.

Julian sighed. “All I was going to say was that I would crush him.” Julian stepped up to me with Mattie at his back. “You take care, my dovey dove, but enjoy chatting with Warden.”

“You can stay—”

His fingers pressed down on my lips. “Hush now. I’ll want to know everything tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I mumbled around his fingers.

Julian kissed my cheek and walked by, while Mattie stepped up. His smile wasn’t fully there. I grabbed his hand and squeezed. “Don’t worry about this. I promise I’ll be guarded.”

“I care. I can’t stop it now.”

“I know, and I’m so glad I have you and Julian in my life.”

“Take care,” he whispered against my temple.

---