A Hollywood Bride (Ryder & Paige 2)

“You said one of your friends is a PI, right?

“Yeah. He mostly does boring stuff like following spouses around town, seeing if they’re cheating or not…although he’s also pretty good at digging up hidden assets during divorce proceedings.” Suddenly he stops. “Uh…you need something like that?”

I chuckle. “Ryder isn’t cheating on me, so no.”

“Okay. Whew.”

“It’s about a trust. I want to know who owns it, but I can’t seem to find the info.”

“I can ask, but it’s gonna cost you. That guy never works for free.”

“I can pay.” One thing about living with Ryder, my account has been growing fatter because I don’t have to spend any money on food or clothes or…anything, really. “I’ll text you the info. Tell him it’s urgent.”

“Okay. I’ll make sure he gets on it ASAP.”

“Thanks.” I hang up. I’m probably going to end up wasting that money, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Chapter Twenty-One

Paige

It’s been two days since Ryder and I visited Bethany in the hospital. I watch my phone like a hawk, but there’s nothing from Gary or his friend. Bethany is back home and seems to be doing well. Her face is slowly returning to normal, and she’s back on top of her contract negotiations, which are apparently becoming a pain in the nether region. But she’s managing.

Ryder is another matter.

He makes love to me at night as desperately and passionately as before—that time when I thought he was going to say, “I love you.” But during the day, he’s distant, often in deep in thought, and paces around his office, his hands curled into fists. He doesn’t even glance at the scripts Mira sends over, and it isn’t like him to neglect work. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was worried.

I want to figure out what’s wrong, but every time I ask, he turns it aside with a joke. I’m not imagining things though; even Elizabeth notices.

“He is acting a bit odd, isn’t he?” she says over late morning coffee.

I nibble on a cracker. “Yeah. Did he say anything to you?”

“Nope. Nothing. I’m almost worried about him.”

“Why?”

“He was like this when we heard that our grandpa was ill. The doctor wasn’t sure if he would recover, but grandpa eventually pulled through.”

“Anyone in your family sick?” I ask.

“Nah. All of us siblings are a sturdy lot, and he certainly wouldn’t act like this if it was Dad.”

I frown, unsure what to make of Elizabeth’s revelation. After we finish our mid-morning snack, I go to his office. Sure enough, Ryder’s pacing again.

“Hey.” I put a hand over his fist.

“Huh?” He stops pacing and looks at me, blinking as though he’s having a hard time switching gears.

“Are you still worried about Bethany and her baby?” Normally I wouldn’t assume that, but he did show unusual concern for their welfare…

He doesn’t answer.

“They’re doing fine, okay? And it’s thanks to the excellent care she got at the hospital, which was largely due to your talk with Rob.”

Ryder’s lips part, then he looks away.

I’m not letting him ignore that. I put a hand on his cheek and guide his face back until we make eye contact. “I saw Bethany yesterday. She’s glowing…despite the bruises. She’ll be fine. The baby’ll be fine.”