Page 154 of Finance Bros

“You have history with her. A whole relationship.”

“Yeah…” Where the fuck is he going with this? If he tries to break up with me?—

“I just want you to do what’s right for you,” he says. “Don’t worry about me, okay?”

“Ry, are you kidding?” I step toward him, and he looks up, into my eyes.

He bites his lip, and there’s a slight tremble in it. “Having you in my life is enough,” he says. “You not hating me is enough.”

“No,” I whisper, putting my fully functioning hand on his face. “It’s not. Not for me, it’s not.”

“But when you see her again?—”

“Ryan. Come on—do you see my face? Iloveyou. And it’s not fucking new.”

“I love you, too, but?—”

“But?” I ask, verging on losing it. “Butwhat?”

“I get that you might…want…something else.”

“More than I want you? You’re crazy.”

“I’m just saying it doesn’t have to be like...the way it’s been.”

I narrow my gaze. Is he saying we can go back to just being friends? He’s gotta know I’m too far gone for that. Right?

I don’t know what he’s saying or not saying, but this is about as open as Ryan gets, and I think for once I know what he needs. “On the off chance I wouldn’t change a thing…” I’m joking because there’s zero chance of me wanting anything less than everything, and I hope he gets it. Heshouldget it, if we’re as in love asIthink we are.

His half smile says he does. “I’ll keep your side of the bed empty.”

“My side, huh?” He and I could sleep on a twin bed and still have room for another person. A small person, but still.

“Fine, my side. Whatever.”

“You make me crazy,” I tell him, but then I kiss him, wishing I didn’t have to wait for Thursday to get him to start trusting that the only person I want anything from ishim.

28

RYAN

It’s Friday morning and I haven’t heard from Mal since he left work to meet up with Kaylin Thursday, but that’s how I wanted it. I asked him not to reach out—told him I’d see him today. I turned my phone off so he couldn’t text or call me. Why? Because I’m psycho, and I can’t get the image of that engagement ring out of my head.

I figured if I knew I wasn’t going to hear from him, then I wouldn’t drive myself nuts waiting and wondering.

It’s not because I think he was going to propose to her last night—but because at some pointhe was planning to propose. It’s safe to say my trust, such as it is, has been stretched to its outermost limits, but it’s hanging in there.

Would it be so fucking difficult for him to at least be on time this morning, though? Of all mornings? Jesus.

“Where’s your boyfriend?” Piper asks, unexpectedly taking a seat next to me at the conference room table.

I can’t say I wasn’t expecting this. Bailey cut out the neck kiss and me calling him baby, but there was enough in the video of Malcolm’s fall to prove one thing at least—I have more than a passing interest in his well-being. In my defense, I’ve seen toomany movies and TV shows where a fall to the ground cracked a skull, and in the moment I ran over to him, the first thing I was looking for was blood pooling around his head, signaling the end.

Piper however, whether she realizes it or not, gave something away with the question. “Do you use your own money to subscribe to our Patreon or the group cash? Either way, we appreciate the support.”

She sidesteps my dig. “I just wonder what Jonathan would think about fraternization…”

“Do you? So, you and Nathan never…” I make a lewd gesture with my hands.

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