Page 68 of Tall, Dark, & Ginger

“God no. I would never give him the satisfaction.”

“Think about what you would say if you did talk to him.”

A thousand thoughts enter my mind.

“Some people find that writing a letter to the person helps. You don’t have to send it. You can even burn it when you’re done, but it’s a way to get the feelings out.”

“That doesn’t sound bad.”

“Consider that during this next week and we can talk about it in our next session.”

I leave the therapist’s office feeling drained emotionally but lighter. All I want to do is get to Moby’s and see Ridley again, which is probably more telling than I want it to be.

By the time the rideshare drops me off in front of the restaurant, the evening crowd is starting to fill the place. I step through the back door and head to the office to get my chef’s coat, waving at Carlos as I pass the kitchen.

After putting my coat on, I walk out to the main area, glancing around for Ridley and finding him at the bar, chatting with Oakley. With all the confidence I have inside me, I march over to him and tap him on the shoulder.

He turns around, his smile growing when he sees me. “Hey.”

I lean in and press a kiss to his lips, firm and strong. “Hey,” I whisper.

“You okay?”

“I am. It’s okay if I come to your room again tonight?”

“It’s an open invite. Maybe I can get out at the same time tonight and walk you home.”

“I’d like that.”

“Me too.” He brushes his thumb across my chin. “You sure you’re okay?”

There’s no way Ridley isn’t the guy he’s shown himself to be. I have to believe that. I have a few mountains to climb still, but hopefully he’ll be waiting for me on the other side.

“I’m positive.”

TWENTY-FIVE

RIDLEY

I’m such a coward.It’s been three days since I realized I’m falling for Wren in a serious way and I haven’t said a single word. I’ve been too busy soaking up every smile, lingering glance, steamy session, and sleepy cuddle. Every night he comes to my room and every morning we wake up together. It’s been so damn nice I’m afraid to fuck it all up by saying something stupid.

And right now, staring at him across the kitchen as he choreographs a series of dishes with his cooks, my heart beats a little faster. I’ve fallen for him. Completely.

Now I’m obsessing over how to tell him since I’ve never done it before. Do I just blurt it out after sex? Or whisper it while we lounge in the bath? Do I make a big deal of it, take him out to dinner or something out of the ordinary? Except when would I do that? We’re both always here at night. I guess I could pull something off on a Sunday. Maybe have food delivered?

“Table eight up,” Wren says, wiping the edge of the plate with a napkin before sliding it toward me.

I heard him, saw the plate coming my way, but I’m frozen, lost in his pretty eyes.

“Rid? You okay?”

Blinking, I snap out of it and clear my throat. “Daydreaming. I’m good. See you later?”

“Count on it.”

I grab the plate of salmon and exit the kitchen to deliver it, but I notice out of the corner of my eye a little commotion at the bar. A guy is leaning over the bar toward Florian and our other bartender, Jax. Kit is already on his way to the bar when I hurry over.

“All I’m asking is to talk to him for a second. Is that against the law?”

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