Page 20 of Love on the Brain
Jane snorted. “Well, we never got to be the good friends you and Casey hoped we’d be. Pleasantly polite was all that woman would give. But I wouldn’t say she was unkind. If anything, fake sincere.”
He stretched his legs out in front of him and pulled them in, wrapping his arms around his knees. “I’m sorry about that. I think I finally know why she hasn’t liked you all these years, though.”
Jane raised her eyebrows. “She doesn’t like me?” That explained a lot. But what was he alluding to?
He shook his head. “It wasn’t anything you did.”
Jane didn’t want to pry. Ryan would tell her more if and when he wanted to. But she sure was curious.
Might as well make the s’mores. She twisted around to gather the supplies he’d set on the table. She slid a marshmallow onto a stick for each of them and handed one to Ryan. Silently, they watched the fire brown the treats.
When hers was golden, she slid it off her stick and bit into it, closing her eyes and savoring the warm, sugary, gooey fluff. She always ate the first one by itself. She opened her eyes to catch Ryan watching her, his gaze focused on her mouth.
“You … um…” He lifted his free hand toward her face, then pulled it back. “There’s melty marshmallow on your lip,” he mumbled, turning back to his stick, still roasting near the flames.
Jane’s fingers flew to her lips. Sure enough, the sticky residue hadn’t all made it into her mouth. She smiled sheepishly as she wiped it away. “Thanks.”
His head turned toward her. “Still got some. Corner.”
She swiped again, but didn’t feel anything. “Where?”
He shifted to face her, and his hand shot out again. “May I?”
Jane nodded. Their eyes locked as his thumb gently rubbed at her bottom lip. The heat of his gaze was hotter than the fire—
“Fire!” Jane pointed to the end of his stick. It had caught a flame and was quickly charring his marshmallow.
Ryan reacted quickly and blew on the marshmallow until the fire was out.
Jane chuckled nervously. What had just happened? One moment she was wiping her mouth and the next…
The next, she was wondering if he had been leaning in like that to kiss her.
She shook her head to clear those crazy thoughts. Not Ryan. They were friends.
So why was she suddenly feeling attracted to him? He was extremely handsome, sweet, and a great friend.
It must be the whiskey making her think such strange thoughts. In all the years she and Ryan had been friends, he never once gave her any reason to think he wanted to be more than friends. Their relationship wasn’t like that.
But…
Now, at thirty years old, they were both single. Ryan was the best man alive that she knew. If shedidever plan to date again, someone like him would be at the top of her list. She wouldn’t settle for anything less when she knew amazing guys like him were out there.
Crazy thoughts were leading to more crazy thoughts. Maybe the alcohol would also provide some clarity.
But they had to be careful how much they consumed. If Noah needed them… She took the bottle from Ryan and poured the amber liquid into the glasses and set the bottle on the table.
When his marshmallow cooled, he popped it into his mouth, and it was her turn to point out the sticky white trail on his lips.
“I’ll wipe yours if you’ll wipe mine,” she said with a grin.
Ryan’s eyebrows lifted, and he set his stick down and scooted closer. Jane sat up straight and tipped up her chin to provide better access to her mouth. But instead of reaching out to wipe with his thumb, his left arm stretched around her head and cradled it in his palm.
“Hold still,” he whispered. Jane closed her eyes and held her breath. Holding her head steady, he gently wiped her lips with the thumb of his other hand.
Jane’s chest heaved as her heart and lungs fought for steadiness and air. Her eyes fluttered open, and she sucked in a breath. Ryan’s face was mere inches from hers, and he was making no move to back away.
Gingerly, she lifted her hand to wipe at the fluff on his lips. “Got it,” she whispered.
