Page 59 of Play It Off

Disappointment crushes my good mood, and I sigh, hanging my head. Ryland sent the flowers? He wants another chance? The man doesn’t get the hint, and I wasn’t even hinting. I’m not interested in him like that. Especially after everything that happened between me and Gavin.

“That bad, huh?” Matty asks after I’m silent for way too long.

I glance up at him to find he’s studying me, concern in his gaze. “Kind of?” I wince, dropping the card onto the counter.

“You could’ve fooled me from the expression on your face just now. I worried maybe your cat died and someone was sending their condolences.” He frowns. “You don’t have a cat, do you?”

“I have no pets. Definitely no dead ones.” Matty always mentions random things. His mind must be a wild place to be.

“Good.” His relief is obvious. “You just looked ... really disappointed when you read that card.”

“I did?” That’s because I was.

“Yeah, definitely.” Matty nods. “Did an ex send you those or what?”

“No. I went on a date last night with a guy I went to high school with, but when he asked if we could do it again, I told him I didn’t see him beyond a friend. He’s the one who sent them.”

“Even after you told him you wanted to stay friends?” Matty whistles low. “Dang, he must have it bad.”

“You think so?”

“Why else would he send you flowers?” He studies the arrangement, his eyes going wide. “I’m not one to send flowers a lot, but that right there is impressive.” He waves a hand at the bouquet. “And expensive,” he adds.

A sigh leaves me, and I study the flowers. Matty’s right. It’s a gorgeous bouquet. So colorful and with a variety of flowers—and it definitely looks expensive. “It’s too bad. He’s a nice guy—just not the guy for me.”

“Nice guys always finish last,” Matty mutters, shaking his head. “I should know. I always find myself in last place.”

“Aw, Matty.” I feel bad, and I push the vase of flowers closer to him. “You want my flowers?”

“What? No way. They’re yours, even if you’re not into the guy.” Matty levels his serious gaze upon me. “Maybe you need to tell him that again, Sienna. Don’t string this guy along. Trust me, it hurts.”

“I’m not stringing him along—more like he’s doing this to himself. But you’re right. I should probably talk to him again about this because clearly my words didn’t sink in.” I study Matty. “Have you been strung along by someone before?”

“Multiple times. Girls. Guys. I don’t discriminate. I fall in love with a person’s soul, not their gender, but I get trampled on time and again.” He grimaces. “Everyone says I’m too nice, but I can’t help it.”

“You probably are too nice, but that’s a great quality to have.” I give him a hug because I can’t resist, and while I know this probably isn’t something I should be doing with my boss, he hugs me back, albeit briefly.

We spring away from each other when the bell that hangs over the door tinkles, announcing someone has walked in, and Matty waves a hand at the flowers. “Take them to the back, please?”

“Will do, sir.” I salute him, making him laugh, and grab the flowers so I can rush them into the back room, setting the vase on Matty’s desk. Grabbing my phone from the back pocket of my jeans, I tap out a quick text to Ryland.

It’s best to get this over and done with. I feel like a shit for doing it after he sent me something so beautiful, but I have to.

Me: Thank you for the flowers. You didn’t have to do that.

Like, he really didn’t. It would’ve been best if he’d left me alone completely, but here we are.

Ryland: You’re welcome. And I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. I hope you like them.

Me: They’re beautiful.

I press my lips together, contemplating how I should word this. It’s a delicate situation, and I don’t want to be a complete bitch toward him. Maybe I’m channeling my inner Matty and being too nice.

Me: I really appreciate them, but I did tell you how I felt about you last night. I hope you understand.

He responds quickly.

Ryland: You can’t blame a guy for trying, can you?

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