Page 18 of Love on the Brain
“Amen,” everyone echoed.
Wes patted Noah’s hand, then bade everyone goodbye. When he was gone, she sank into the armchair by the head of Noah’s bed.
“We’re going to head out,” Dale said, gesturing to Connie. “We’ll pack up your stuff and drive it over to Ryan’s tonight so it’s there when you get there tomorrow.”
Jane nodded her thanks. “I appreciate that. Hopefully it’ll just be for one night and Noah will be back to racing cars on your track for the rest of our stay.”
“I’m praying for it. You get some rest, little man, you hear? We’ve got lots of racin’ to do once you’re better.”
“You certainly do.” Connie scooted past Dale to kiss the top of Noah’s head. “We’ll see you soon, okay?
“Okay.”
The Engstroms followed them out, and Noah’s eyes closed. Jane reached for his hand and held it securely as he fell asleep.
Ryan hadn’t moved from the spot by the wall where he’d been standing when she entered the room. Her gaze swept him from head to toe. His cranberry scrubs were snug at his broad shoulders and strained over his biceps. He’d always hit the gym to work off stress, and if the bulk he added over the past two years were an indication of his stress level, it’d been a rough time for him.
She wanted to ask about his divorce, about his job, about everything. Catch up. Have the kind of personal conversations they’d had when they were younger and close. The depth of their friendship came with a mutual understanding and closeness, but there was so much they didn’t know about each other anymore.
“What are you thinking about?” Ryan asked. He moved one of the extra chairs to the other side of the bed, opposite her, but didn’t sit.
Jane chewed on the inside of her cheek as she considered how to answer his question.
Just be honest with him.She took a deep breath and forced a smile. “I was thinking about how we probably have a lot to catch up on. But there’s probably a lot of hard stuff we don’t want to talk about. So I wasn’t sure if I should ask or not.”
Ryan sank into the chair and studied her with an even expression. “I was thinking that, too. Maybe tomorrow night after Noah goes to sleep?”
“Sure,” Jane said, pleased that he wanted to catch up, too. “Do you have a fireplace?”
Ryan smiled, the skin by his eyes crinkling with amusement. “And long sticks and marshmallows.”
“Nice!” Flashbacks of roasting the gooey white sweets outside their dorm flooded back to her. “And chocolate?”
“You know I always have at least a month’s supply of Hershey bars in my fridge.”
“It’s good to know that as some things change, some things stay the same,” Jane said softly. Their gazes locked, and an unspoken understanding passed through them, confirming their longtime bond.
A warm tingling traveled up Jane’s spine in anticipation of one-on-one time with Ryan tomorrow night.
* * *
“He’s asleep,”Jane said, joining Ryan at the bay window the next night, watching the snow fall lazily. She pulled her sweater closed and crossed her arms. “Should we crank up the heat now in case we lose power overnight?”
Jane followed his gaze as he glanced at the fireplace, roaring steadily, and the coffee table, where the s’mores supplies and baby monitor sat, waiting for them. “Yeah. I’ll go do it.”
She turned back to the snow. Watching it fall was therapy to her soul. The power of Mother Nature was dangerous, but it sure was beautiful.
Ryan returned to her side with two rocks glasses and a bottle of cinnamon-flavored whiskey. “Still your favorite?” he asked.
Jane noted the second glass. “You drink now?” She was flabbergasted. He’d never touched a drink—or a woman—their entire four years in college. Even at their weddings, he’d only sipped the champagne, like he had at the dedication ceremony. Ryan liked to be in control and take care of others. She’d never seen him drunk, not once in the twelve years she’d known him.
“There’s a lot of things I do now.” Under hooded lids, the heat from his eyes was scorching.
A tingle worked its way down Jane’s spine. She sucked in a long breath through her teeth, an attempt to slow her heartbeat down. The thrumming muscle in her chest sure was getting a workout today.
“What about Noah? What if—”
“I’m not getting drunk, Jane. Sipping a shot of whiskey to feel the burn won’t impair me.”
