“You can’t be serious . . . Where the hell do you put it?” I shake my head.
Reece doesn’t have an inch of fat anywhere on his toned body. I seriously don’t know how he can contemplate eating my lunch after having already consumed his own.
“Being with Callie works up an appetite.” He smirks.
“I could have done without knowing that.” I shudder, not wanting to have that image in my head.
“Anyway, it’s a waste of food letting it sit on your plate while you’re playing with it.”
“Hmm.”
His eyes shift and focus on something behind me. “Lover boy has arrived.”
My head snaps up as I turn and follow his gaze.
Ryder is standing just inside the bar, looking tired and rumpled.
Not bothering with who sees us together, I jump
up and head straight for him and into his outstretched arms. He holds me tightly against him as he breathes me in. At least, that’s what it feels like—as though he’s inhaling his favorite meal.
Sliding my hands into his short hair, I feel him shudder against me as his hands flex on my back.
He kisses my forehead before putting me slightly away, with his hands resting on my hips. “I needed that.”
I reach out and caress the side of his face. He turns into my palm and plants a kiss in the center.
“What happened?” I ask, not sure I actually want to know.
“Let me check everything’s okay with Suzie, and then we’ll head upstairs so we can talk. I want to tell you what Ryan said.” He runs a hand through his hair and grins. “My mom has invited you to dinner.”
As I’m about to respond to the dinner invitation, Ryder glances above my head.
“Reece.”
“Ryder.”
I roll my eyes at the testosterone flying around. Ryder winks at me, but Reece stays solemn.
I place a kiss to Ryder’s sexy mouth, and whisper against his lips, “Go check with Suzie,” before turning to face Reece.
“You—” I start.
Ryder smacks me on the ass as he walks past.
“I’ll start again. You need to lighten up with him. I know this whole wife thing came out of the blue, but he’s never given you any reason to dislike him. If you think about it, he’s been honorable staying married to her all this time.” Sitting down again, I pull Reece with me. “I’m glad he’s finally getting his life back, even though I can’t stop worrying his family are going to blame me for his decision. He says he’s doing it for himself, but I think he’d still be in the same boat if he didn’t want something with me.”
“Well, you’re going to dinner at his parents’ house, so you’ll find out.” He snickers. “I don’t think he’d be taking you if he thought he was leading you to the lion’s den. I’m going to promise to chill about Ryder and you, but you have to promise to stop blaming yourself for a decision that Ryder has made.”
I nod. “I’ll try.”
Reece starts munching on my burger. “It’s not going to be that easy for you. I can see that. But I’ll accept the ‘I’ll try’ for now.” He coats some of my fries with ketchup and shoves them into his mouth, grinning.
“That’s gross,” I point out.
“Callie thinks it’s hot.”
“Uh, I think you’re delusional. There is no way that is hot.”