Page 23

TWENTY-THREE

“Yeah, right. I’m sure it’ll hit the press tomorrow, and Jace will be livid.” Ryan taps his fingers against the metal surface of the table. “I’m going to grab a beer. Do you want one?”

I nod my confirmation, and he heads toward the bar. It’s not long before Ada takes up residence in his spot. “Look at you guys. Really selling the relationship thing.” She bumps her shoulder with mine.

I roll my eyes and give her a side-eye, but she just giggles at me.

I don’t know how well we’re “selling” it, but that’s been the least of my concerns. I’m too focused on settling the fluttering feeling in my stomach, the one I haven’t felt… for years. I thought I’d gotten over my body’s reaction to him, our kiss on the beach proved me a liar, but if I stood trial tonight, I’d be convicted of perjury.

When I caught him devouring me with his eyes on our way out it all came rushing back. Those feelings I’ve denied since freshman year of college, when I thought my feelings weren’t reciprocated. The look in his eyes tonight told a different story, one that’s becoming harder to deny.

“Debbie told me to come grab you. Introduce you to a couple of people, c’mon,” Ada says, directing my attention back to her.

I take a steadying breath. “In a minute. Let’s wait for Ryan to get back so I can tell him.”

Minutes later he shows up with three beers. “Figured you might want one, too? I went with the safest bet and got you both blonds.” He places three pint glasses on the tabletop.

“Aw, he’s sweet, Hannah,” Ada singsongs, taking the offered beer.

I take an unladylike gulp of the wheat-colored beer. “What’d you get?”

“IPA. I already have a blonde,” he jokes with a wink.

Ada laughs loudly, but mine comes out forced and flustered. She turns toward him and asks, “Do you mind if I steal her?”

“Will you be okay on your own for a bit?” I add.

Jace would throw a fit if I asked him to come somewhere with me and then left him to fend for himself. It’s a big reason why I never branched off to pursue my own passions; he made me feel guilty whenever I tried to balance our relationship with my outside interests.

Ryan runs his hand reassuringly on my lower back. “Of course, don’t worry about me. Go network.”

I have no reason to think Ryan would act anything like Jace, yet I’m still taken aback by his unyielding support. With each passing day, my reasons for avoiding a relationship weaken—at least when it comes to Ryan. It’s hard to keep telling myself I can’t have something when all the evidence points in another direction.

I nod, but I don’t have a chance to respond before Ada has her arm looped with mine and we work our way through the crowd.

Ada introduces me to a handful of potential fosters, experienced people who’ve already worked with the shelter and come fully vetted. I also meet a few who are eager to donate to my cause; they’re passionate about my mission and readily accept my invitation to the launch party I have planned for April. I’m even introduced to a veterinarian who’s originally from Georgia, and when I explain the goal of transporting rescues from the South up North, her eyes light up. She offers to volunteer her time, immediately connecting with the mission.

When I return to the table hours later, Ryan’s smile is nearly as wide as my own. I can barely contain the excitement bubbling inside me from all the connections I made tonight.

“I take it it went well?” His eyes crinkle at the corners. Seeing him looking at me with warmth and support rather than frustration over being left alone all night makes my heart beat an unsteady rhythm.

I gravitate toward him, tucking myself under his arm. “So well. Thank you… for everything.”

He squeezes my side, and I feel the brush of his lips on the crown of my head. “Of course, Sunshine.”

I’m ready to head home, but at the same time, I don’t want to lose the warmth of being wrapped in his arms.

The crowd around us, the act we’re supposed to be putting on, and even the reason for it all fade away in the security I feel in his arms. One thought circles in my mind, the one I’ve tried and failed to ignore: There’s something undeniable between Ryan and me.

It’s not just a friendship. Maybe it never was.

I said we should forget the kiss, but I was only fooling myself.

I thought we could move on like it never happened, but I was wrong.

There’s a pull toward him, one I’m finding harder and harder to ignore.

The one thing I’ve clung to with an iron grip is my fear of losing myself in someone else, but even that argument is starting to falter. Tonight has shown me that maybe, just maybe, I can have it all.

“I’m going to your game tomorrow night,” I say, my resolve solidifying. He’s asked me to every game, but I kept turning down the invites. I haven’t been to a regulation hockey game since living in Dallas, afraid of the emotions it might stir.

“Yeah?” His single word holds so much hope.

“Mm-hmm,” I hum against his chest, and he presses a soft kiss to my temple.

“Well, it’s a good thing I picked up your outfit after practice the other day,” he says with a chuckle.

I roll my eyes, but a tight, pleasant warmth spreads in my chest. “Does the outfit happen to include your name on my back?”

I swore I’d never wear another man’s name again, but wearing Ryan’s doesn’t sound so bad.

“Maybe,” he mumbles.