Page 41 of The Lessons

I exhaled.

“Oh, that’s great. I’m glad she’s getting to know people in her new town.”

“Are you not from the city, Josh?” Ryan was standing up a little straighter now and had crossed his arms. Despite the warm weather, he was wearing the same leather jacket that he’d been wearing when we’d met. He was probably hot, but it was also H-O-T.

“No, I live in New York. Just out here on business. And to visit this gal, of course.” Josh pulled me in tighter and gave me a little squeeze.

I searched Ryan’s face for a reaction to the man next to me, but it was hard to glean much of anything. He wore the same cool expression he used in his office. Finally, he looked over at me, and I saw it.

His jaw twitched.

Oh, holy hell, his jaw twitched, and I fucking caught it. I finally understood what was going on: he thought I was with Josh. Oh, boy, that was hilarious. And hot—not the thought of me being with Josh, but that maybe, just maybe, I’d made Ryan jealous.

My heart soared like a kite caught in a tornado.

“We’re just headed to lunch,” Josh continued. “Wanna join us? We’re doing tacos a couple of blocks away.”

“Oh, thanks for the offer, but I have an appointment to make. Josh, good to meet you.” Ryan turned toward me, and it was like a fire had erupted behind his eyes. “Natalie, have a good lunch. See you later?”

I nodded. After he was gone, I untangled myself from Josh as we resumed our walk to the restaurant.

He was uncharacteristically quiet, which made me look up at him. He was smirking and staring right down at me.

“What?” I asked innocently.

“Oh, no. Natalie Rose Reese, don’t you darewhatme. You know exactlywhat.”

“I really don’t knowwhatyou are referring to.”

“Oh,really? I’m sorry, but did I just imagine that man-god on the street?” Josh stopped walking and pretended to look around, confused. “You better start talking—and fast—young lady.”

“Don’tyoung ladyme. We’re the same age. Look, let’s get to the restaurant and order first. I’m famished. Then I’ll tell you the whole story.”

But the truth was I had no intention of telling Josh, or anyone, the whole story. Luckily, I’d become adept at this whole skirting-the-truth thing. I had my story ready by the time we took our seats at a little yellow table.

The waitress was just setting down water and menus when Josh zeroed in on me. “Okay. I waited. Now spill. How do you know Mr. Hot Motorcycle Man?”

I had to laugh. “Motorcycle Man?”

“LeeLee, he totally rides a motorcycle. Did you not see the leather jacket and the helmet he was carrying?”

I had seen the jacket, but I guess I had, uh, missed the helmet. I rubbed my hands together. They were sweaty and not because of the weather. Dammit.

“I guess I was distracted.”

“Yeah, I couldseethat. Holy hell, LL, please tell me you’ve hit that.”

Once again, I was reminded that even Josh didn’t know I was still a virgin. Hell, I don’t think he even knew he was the last guy I’d kissed… I mean, until Ryan.

The thought of kissing Ryan put an immediate smile on my face. I tried to hide it by staring downward at the table.

“Well, you better get on that. I’m not going to press, but a man like that, he ain’t going to be single for long.”

“I don’t know, Josh…”

“Oh, come on, what is there to know? He’s hot, and he likes you.”

I scrunched up my face, but inside, I was doing cartwheels. “You think so?”

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