Page 42 of The Story of Us
“It’s a gift. And I asked Wyatt.”
As she shrugged out of her coat, someone bumped into her from behind and Eloise stumbled forward, her hands tangled in the long sleeves. But it wasn’t Ryan who caught her. Two strong hands gripped her hips and saved her from faceplanting into the mahogany bar.
“Sorry!” a little girl yelled as she chased after a boy.
“Are you okay?” Nate’s voice washed over her. The tip of his nose was pink, and that damn beanie was on his head again.
“We’re fine,” Ryan cut in, no attempt made to hide the annoyance in his tone. “I’ll take care of my girl from here, mate.”
Hold up.Since when was she ‘Ryan’s girl’?
Nate’s hands released her, and she missed his touch immediately. “See you later,” he said quietly.
“I hate that guy,” Ryan grumbled, rolling his eyes when Eloise didn’t immediately agree. “He acts like he’s God’s gift to Wattle Junction. Like no one else from here has ever done anything impressive.”
Regardless of her unreciprocated romantic feelings for Nate, and their recent complications, hewasstill her friend. And he did so much for everyone else. “That’s not true.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for all his crap, too?”
“He’s not like that. If anything, he’s shy. Nate’s the last person to point out all the amazing things he’s done. He literally has his own charity.”
“And how do you know that?” Ryan paused for dramatic effect. “Because he’s told you. I used to be a volunteer big brother. You don’t hear me banging on about it constantly.”
Eloise shook her head. Ryan was confusing just like every other guy. Every time she thought she had him figured out, he’d pivot. Show her another side of himself that contradicted what she thought she knew.
She heard him say, “Two ciders, big fella,” to Wyatt, but her gaze was firmly fixed in the back corner of the room where Nate was unpacking his laptop and glasses. He was nothing like what Ryan had said. If she had to pick a word to describe Nate, it would be juxtaposition. He was determined to succeed but generous enough to make sure no one was ever left behind. He was detail oriented but didn’t fixate on things that didn’t matter. He was a public personality but kept so much of his life private.
He’d wanted her but wouldn’t let himself have her.
Eloise’s head hurt.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket, but she ignored it.
Ryan’s hand covered hers, and he leant closer. “I like talking to you. You’re a good listener.” Well, that was nice. “You make me feel things again, Eloise, especially in my pants.”
Welp. That went south quickly. And people said romance was dead.
“It’s time we stopped fighting what’s between us.”
Sirens—literal sirens—sounded in the distance, and Eloise laughed awkwardly, pulling her hand away from Ryan. Talk about a sign from the universe.
“Listen, ah …” she started. She’d never been good at this part. Not that she’d giventhatmany date refusals in her life. The shy girl who’d rather read or paint was rarely bombarded by interest from the opposite sex. Ryan’s eyes narrowed, and the worry curling through her chest spread throughout her body. Her gut said Ryan was going to get huffy when she said “Thanks, but no thanks” to him and the feeling in his pants.
“Let’s sneak into the city after the hens and bucks tomorrow night and go to a club. I’ll get a private booth, and we can get to know each other properly. Charlie will be hammered by then. He won’t care that I plan on introducing his little sister to the best time she’s ever had.”
What was in the water bottle Ryan had been drinking from at dance class?
“I don’t think so.”
Ryan obviously thought the half grin he offered her was endearing, possibly even a bit self-deprecating, but all Eloise saw was what she should’ve noticed immediately. His nostrils flaring, brows pinching together like he couldn’t possibly comprehend that she was saying no to him.
“Come on, baby. It’ll be fun. Might even loosen you up. God knows you could use it.”
Shame coursed through Eloise’s body, pushing the memories of men saying dumb shit like that to her to the forefront of her mind. That she wasn’t any good in bed. That she needed to relax. To stop being so in her head. How many times had she encouraged other women to remember their worth? But she’d let her disappointment about Nate’s desire—or lack of it—propel her into this ridiculous situation. Seeking validation from someone who was nothing but seventy percent bleached teeth, fake tan and hair gel.
Her phone vibrated again, and she pulled it out of her pants.Joanie.It was like her grandmother had a sixth sense. She was suddenly aware of how everyone was watching them, whispering behind their hands. Eloise would call Joanie back in a minute, once she’d made it clear to Ryan that nothing was going to happen between them.
“Thanks, but I’d rather not. I’ll see you at dance practice.” She pulled a few notes out of her purse and dropped them on the bar.
