Not ever.
He’d go, keep her from possibly risking her safety by hiring a date, pretend to be her boyfriend to keep from spoiling her trip to Tennessee then he’d come home, and they’d go back to ignoring that they even knew each other.
“You don’t need to hire anyone—” here went everything “—because I’ll go with you to Nashville.”
* * *
McKenzie couldn’t have heard Ryder correctly. Had he really just said he’d go with her?
“I’ll need details.”
Hands shaking as she gripped the phone, he’d given her back, McKenzie couldn’t hide her shock. “You’ll go.”
“If it means not having to worry about you traveling with a date you know nothing about—” his tone said that she’d been willing to do so was ludicrous “—then, yes, I’ll go.”
Disbelief filled her.
“Why?” She wasn’t sure if she meant why would he worry about her or why would he be willing to go. Both, she decided. She didn’t understand his reasons for either.
“Quit looking a gift horse in the mouth, McKenzie.” He gave a low laugh, as if this wasn’t anything out of the ordinary and she was making a big deal out of nothing. “Just tell me what I need to know so I can get my schedule rearranged.”
Because he was going to go with her.
He’d save her face regarding her breakup with Paul, ease any uncertainties her family had regarding her not being happy in Seattle and regarding Reva being the first to marry and McKenzie’s suddenly single status. His being there would keep her family from playing pity party and matchmaker.
It could work.
“I’m flying in on Thursday—” saying the word flying had her stomach lurching “—so I can be there for the rehearsal on Friday and whatever else my cousin has planned. If you’re sure—” she couldn’t believe he was “—then, I’ll purchase a ticket for you to fly up on Friday afternoon and to leave after the wedding on Saturday night.”
“Is Saturday night when you’re coming home?”
She shook her head. “I’m not headed back until Sunday.”
Regarding her, Ryder shrugged. “I’ll take off a few days, go with you on Thursday, and fly back with you on Sunday evening. I’m overdue a minivacation.”
She’d never expected him to say yes, much less rearrange his work hours to accommodate her trip.
“Where will you stay?” She blurted the question without thought, much as she had her initially asking him to go with her. She especially hadn’t considered how his next words would turn her insides outward.
“Wherever you are, girlfriend.”
Girlfriend? McKenzie’s eyes widened and her teeth sank into her lower lip. Hello, crazy heart rhythm.
Heaven help her.
Her stomach flip-flopped much as it did at the thought of boarding a plane and being trapped inside for hours on end.
His answer shouldn’t send her into panic mode.
His intent eyes shouldn’t have her heart racing.
But they did. Maybe she hadn’t thought this out as well as she should have.
Ryder was an attractive man. Perhaps she shouldn’t toy around with dating him, not even when it wasn’t real.
r /> “I’m staying at my mom’s.”
“Fine. I’ll stay there. I can sleep on the sofa, if needed.” He didn’t look concerned. “Unless you think your mother isn’t going to like me and will throw me out?”