Page 91 of Save Me

Glancing at her over his shoulder, he could only stare for a moment. “That’s not what I was suggesting.”

“I know, I know…that was me making a bad joke to try to ease the tension.”

“Does the tension need to be eased?” he carefully asked.

“Why won’t you hire me to design your website?” she loudly blurted out with no warning. “You’ve seen my work and we both know I can handle it!” Then she paused. “Okay, so I know the other mystery tattoo client never responded to any of my mock ups, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do a site for you, Ryker! If you just tell me what you’re looking for, I can do it! And to be honest, I’m more than a little hurt that you haven’t talked to me about this.”

She looked adorably put out by the whole thing, and he knew he needed to proceed with caution.

So, he pulled out his phone and typed something out and let her simmer for just another minute or two.

“Are you seriously sending out a text right now while we’re in the middle of this discussion? Are you kidding me?” she snapped.

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, Ryker leaned against his island, arms crossed, and looked at her. “Sorry, it was something I had forgotten to do and you just reminded me of it.”

Her eyes went wide. “Ryker! You can’t just do shit like that! You…you…start drawing in the middle of conversations and ignore everyone! You…you…text someone when I’m telling you how I feel! All those things are wrong and insulting! And I’m not going to stand for it!”

There was the sassy girl he had fallen in love with—spitting fire and getting all worked up over something.

She was about to feel utterly ridiculous and he was looking forward to her having to grovel. That would hopefully lead back to the sexy time he had been looking forward to all afternoon.

“So…the tattoo guy never got back to you?” he asked casually.

“No, he didn’t,” she replied tightly.

“Hmm…that seems a little rude.”

“Really?Thatseems rude? Not you ignoring my question?”

He shrugged. “Have you checked your emails today?”

“What? No!” She growled with frustration. “Can you please focus? I’m trying to tell you…”

“I know, I know…you’re mad. I think you should just check your emails. Please.”

Reaching into her purse, she eyed him warily. “Fine, but once I pointlessly check my email, you better have a good explanation. I know you’re just stalling so…”

Ryker watched in amusement as she pulled out her phone, swiped the screen, tapped a few things, and…

Bingo.

“What…” Pausing, Ryleigh looked up at him. “I don’t get it. Do you know this guy? Did you tell him to finally respond to me?”

“No.”

Frowning, she looked down at her phone again. “Then I don’t understand. How did you know this email was waiting for me? I just watched you send out a text. You had to have prompted him to respond.”

“Actually,youprompted him to respond.”

With a huff of annoyance, she stared at him. “How much did you have to drink today? You’re not making any sense.”

“I had one glass of wine and you know it.” Pushing lightly off of the island, he slowly walked toward her. “I’m R. Moretti.”

Ryleigh’s mouth and opened and closed but she didn’t say a word.

“Moretti is my father’s last name. Remember when I told you I changed it so no one would think I was trying to ride his coattails?”

She nodded.

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