Page 12 of Tall, Dark, & Ginger

Ridley huffs, so Bane does the talking again.

“Because he’s seen the end game, or at least a glimpse of it.”

Ridley’s brow creases as his eyes settle on mine. He offers a sheepish smile but nothing else, bringing me back to the conversation Salem and Florian had with me a little over a week ago.

“What are you looking for in a guy?” I ask the question even as my voice quivers.

“Um, I want… I mean?—”

The guys pile out from the back room, laughing and talking about ideas for next week, which kills the conversation. I see the relief on Ridley’s face as he joins their discussion, reverting back to the jovial, happy go lucky guy we’re all used to.

I step back, ready to go outside, but catch Bane’s lingering gaze. He smiles at me, almost conveying something without using words. Maybe Ridley thinks he’s into me, but we’ve had quite a few midnight sessions, and he’s never so much as even hinted at romance or anything else. He’s been a friend. Nothing more.

Shaking off the strange interaction, I find a chair in the sun, peel off my chef’s jacket, and lean back, absorbing the sun’s rays. I try to push thoughts of Ridley out of my head, but they persist. I’m not even close to wanting a relationship, but what if…

The idea bouncing around my head makes my chest tighten and my cock swell slightly. No. It’s a terrible idea. Getting involved with coworkers at all isn’t good, but a boss? Yeah, no. I’m stupid for even thinking about it.

But…

It would be nice to feel wanted again. Even better if Trent wasn’t the last guy who touched me. Too bad Ridley is the worst option available, even if he’s also simultaneously the best. He’s attractive, single, and not looking for anything serious. Hooking up with the boss worked out for Salem. Could I be as lucky?

I peer through the open glass doors to catch Ridley watching me. He blinks hard, like he was in a daze and tears his gaze away.

I told him before that every decision I’ve made since I walked into this bar has been the right one. I have to wonder how long that streak will last, and whether I’m willing to find out.

FIVE

RIDLEY

Sitting on the couch,scrolling through channels again, I have to wonder when I stopped even trying to sleep in my room in the hopes that Wren would come down. It’s been three nights since we hung out last—not that I’m obsessed or anything—and I’m craving a fourth but refuse to be a creep and knock on his door. Especially if he’s found a way to sleep. That would be a dick move.

I click the TV off, ready to go back upstairs, but stop when Wren appears at the foot of the staircase.

“Hey,” he says. “I was wondering if you were down here.”

“Yeah. Can’t sleep?”

“Same shit. You?”

“Yeah.”

He glances past me. “Were you going back upstairs?”

“Uh, I…” I shrug. “I was restless. Not really sure.”

Wren nods. “Want to watch a movie?”

Yes! “Yeah, sure.”

We walk back to the living room together, and as pumped as I am that he’s down here, there’s something different about him too. I don’t know what it is, but I can feel it.

After settling on the couch, I flick the TV on again then turn to Wren. “Whatcha in the mood for? Zombies or…?”

“Actually, I heard about this movie that’s supposed to be really good. It’s about a married couple who take in the husband’s college friend after he falls on hard times. Bad shit starts happening. It’s supposed to be really intense.”

“Like a thriller?”

“Yeah.”

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