Page 6 of The Love Bargain

Under the right circumstances, Ryland could grow to mean more to me than my brother, which in a way, feels like a betrayal. My feelings are complicated.

I wish there were more between us. I want him so much, it aches to think of living life without him in it, but it's a dream, pure fantasy.

I need to shake the thought from my mind because wanting someone I can never have will only lead to misery. Helping others get their happily ever after is tough, knowing I can't have the man I want.

* * *

After seeing Ryland, I race to the office and continue where I left off with setting up. I’m determined to make my business successful, and I want the place to look its best before Ryland sees it.

I’m embarrassed by how desperately I’m trying to impress him, but I can’t help myself.

The purpose of our meeting tonight isn’t romantic. It’s a coaching session for his big date with the knockout beauty I set him up with.

What was I thinking by agreeing to do this? I’m too jealous to offer impartial advice.

The thought of Ryland touching Margo makes me feel sick, and I wish I’d never accepted his offer of help. I only did so out of sheer desperation because it seemed like the best solution at the time, but now? Not so much.

The delivery man carries the final boxes filled with stationery supplies and places them beside the potted plants on the back wall.

He heaves a sigh of relief, removes his cap, and wipes the sweat from his brow before popping it on again.

“Done.” He wipes his hands down the front of his pants and retrieves a tablet I need to sign to show I’ve received the order.

“Great. Thank you.” I smile, turn to my screen, and refresh the browser on the banking app.

I let go of the breath I was holding, relieved that there’s enough money in the account to pay the bill. I’m spending money like it’s burning a hole in my pocket, so how long will the loan my brother gave me last?

After quickly refreshing the browser and updating the banking app with proof that I’ve paid the invoice, the man hands me the tablet to sign.

“Have a great evening,” he says when I hand it back.

I wave bye and nervously watch as he lumbers across the polished hardwood floor, stomping over the white area rug in his work boots.

I designed the office with inspiration from Pinterest, choosing a soft pastel palette. The new setup is shaping up to look even better than I’d imagined, even if I took a risk by placing a white rug in a high-traffic area.

Ideally, all the stationery would be unpacked and neatly stacked in place by now, but today’s schedule went out the window when I set foot inside the courthouse.

Ryland will be here soon to pick me up for dinner, and a quick glance at the stack of boxes lining the walls tells me I may as well give up for the day and start fresh in the morning.

The doorbell buzzes, and my stomach tightens in anticipation. I quickly finish arranging furniture, shifting a floor lamp to a better position beside the bookcase, before answering the intercom.

“Hey.” Ryland’s face fills the tiny security monitor.

“Third floor.” I buzz him into the building, take a deep breath, and check my reflection.

I pop a quick slick of gloss on my lips, then flick on the lamp to make the place seem larger.

The rhythmic sound of footsteps nearing the office makes my pulse quicken. I open the door, ready to show off my hard work.

He’s wearing the same navy suit and crisp white shirt, meaning he’s come straight from the office. I feel more comfortable, as I haven’t been home to change, thinking it might be too much like a date if I had.

“Do you have time to show me around?” Ryland kisses my cheek and flashes a winning smile. Warmth spreads across my chest as my heart swells, wishing the kiss were more than platonic.

“Y-Yes, of course,” I stammer, my face flaming.

Although I saw him a few hours earlier, he looks even more handsome. How is that possible?

Ryland sweeps into the room with a confident swagger, and I show him around the office, my heart in my throat the entire time.

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