Page 1 of Save Me

ChapterOne

I wonder if fish get thirsty…

“So that’s how I found out I have a shellfish allergy,” Jarod Milner, the world’s most boring date, explained.

Ryleigh Donovan wished someone would come and save her from the worst date of her life, but apparently no one in her family could sense her extreme unease.

No matter how many times she tried to catch their attention.

Having dinner at her family pub was never her first choice when she went out with a guy, but tonight’s date was really more of an ambush.

Her mother had called and said they were having a problem with their computer and because Ryleigh was sort of a tech geek—or as she preferred to be called, a techgoddess—she agreed to come to the pub to check it out. As soon as she arrived, her mother immediately ushered her over to a booth and introduced her to Jarod the periodontist.

“I wasn’t too upset about it because I never liked fish,” he went on and Ryleigh swore she was going to go back into the office, upload a virus onto her parents’ computer, and then leave on a two-week road trip without her phone.

That would teach them.

Actually, it wouldn’t. It didn’t seem like anything would. She’d begged, pleaded, and carried on about how she did not want to be set up with anyone—and especially didn’t want any surprise dates—and yet, here she was.

“It’s also why I never go out on a boat. I get seasick.”

I wonder if fish get seasick…

Seriously, she’d had her share of bad dates, but this one was going at the top of the list. The previous reigning champion was the time she went out with Leo, the accountant. He’d talked numbers all night and lectured her about her financial status and how far behind she was on her retirement fund. She was twenty-four at the time and told him she wasn’t worried about retirement just yet. Then he got annoyed by her so-called snarkiness and walked out—sticking her with the bill.

Oh, how she’d practically kill to have Jarod walk out right now because of her snarkiness…

Although, it was hard to be snarky when she couldn’t get a word in because he had done nothing but talk about himself all damn night.

Yeah, she was definitely putting a nasty virus on the office computer as soon as she was done here.

With a sigh, Ryleigh glanced around the pub hoping to catch someone’s eye who would read her desperate need for help.

Uncle Ronan was busy chatting with Joe Denton, undoubtedly talking about the upcoming Super Bowl. Her brother Jamie was making drinks behind the bar while talking to some blonde who’d been coming in here more and more lately. He didn’t look too happy, so there was zero chance of him even paying any attention to her. None of her other siblings had shown up to get something to eat, and her mother was suspiciously absent.

You better be guarding all your electronics, Mom. I’m gunning for them…

The door to the pub opened and in walked Ryker.

No last name—or maybe no first name—just…Ryker.

He hadn’t spotted her and this was possibly the one and only time she wished he would. Normally, it was like the man had a tracking device on her because he always seemed to find her in a crowd. It just figured that when she would finally accept his flirting and offer of a drink and he didn’t even look at her.

I cannot catch a break!

“So, what about you, Ryleigh? When was the last time you went to the dentist?”

Ugh…kill me now.

“About six months ago,” she lied. “No cavities.” With a big smile, she showed off her teeth. “I’m an excellent brusher.”

He frowned and made some sort of disapproving sound. “Your gums look a little red and inflamed.” Moving in closer, he reached out to touch her face and she instantly pulled back.

“Yeah, um…we’re not going to do that,” she told him firmly. “Not here in the middle of the pub, and not anywhere.” Glancing around again, she waved Jodi, their server, over. “It was nice meeting you, Jarod, but…I need to go. Have a nice night.” Sliding out of the booth, she grabbed her purse and smiled stiffly at Jodi. “Have you seen…?”

“She’s in the kitchen,” Jodi whispered. “Hiding.” With a wink, she put the bill down on the table and blocked Jarod from going after her. “I’ll just take that when you’re ready.”

Ryleigh didn’t waste any time storming into the kitchen. “Mom! What in the world?”

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