“Will do,” she said. I tried not to feel like the third wheel as they talked about office politics and so forth. They didn’t get to talk as much during the day now since they didn’t work in the same department. It was known they were dating, but they liked to keep things on the down low anyway, which was probably smart.
Fortunately, I occupied myself with cooking, and Rory soon brought me back into the conversation.
“So how’s work going?” she asked.
I sighed. “I need more interns.”
“Didn’t you just hire a bunch?” Lucah asked, which earned him a sharp look from Rory.
“Yes, and they quit. I’m a bitch, apparently.”
Rory snorted into her glass of wine. “Sorry, but you are. It’s one of the things I love about you, but you are. Maybe try yelling less. Or positive reinforcement.”
I rolled my eyes and stirred the sauce I was making for the chicken baking in the oven. “They’re not puppies. I’m not trying to train them not to pee on the carpet.”
Lucah and Rory both laughed. “True. But a little bit of niceness can go a long way,” Rory said. I knew she was right, but I just had no patience for stupidity.
“I guess,” I said, grumbling.
~*~*~
Ryder didn’t breathe a word of our Friday night plans the next night at dinner. He also turned his flirt level way down, probably to throw off suspicion. It was a good plan, but I wished he’d let me in on it. I was so used to him flirting with me, I didn’t even know what to make of him not turning everything I said into something sexual.
“Well, I have to work in the morning, so I’m going to call it a night,” he said with an exaggerated yawn.
“It’s not even nine,” Lucah said.
Ryder shrugged and went to get his coat. “Yeah, but I want to get to bed early,” he said.
Rory gave me a WTF look, and I shrugged. I had no idea what he was talking about.
“Uh-huh,” Lucah said, but he didn’t seem convinced at all. “Well, that’s good, I guess.” He couldn’t really find fault with that.
“Thank you for a lovely evening and for the delicious meal, Sloane.”
“You’re welcome,” I said, and he gave me a wink before he headed out the door.
“Who the hell was that, and what did he do with your brother?” Rory asked.
“I have no idea,” Lucah said, and they both turned their attention to me.
“Hey,” I said, putting my arms up. “I’m just as baffled as you are.”
I hadn’t told Lucah about having tea and cronuts with Ryder, and he definitely didn’t know we were going to the art show the next night. I felt bad for putting Rory in the middle, but it was better he didn’t know. He was stressed enough already.
“I’d think he was using again, but I have no proof. He’s acting very strangely though. I wish I could call his therapist and ask him, but Ryder’s an adult, so he can’t give me any information.” He sighed and gathered up his and Rory’s dishes to bring to the sink. I sat down on the stool at the breakfast bar and leaned my head on my hand.
“Maybe he’s turning over a new leaf?” I said.
“Maybe. But I doubt it. I know my brother. He’s definitely up to something. When he was younger, he used to be perfectly behaved and helpful right before he got himself into a huge load of trouble. If he ever volunteered to do the dishes, Mom would know he was up to no good.” That sounded about right. Their brother, Tate, had given Lucah an album of family pictures, and Rory had showed it to me. There were a few of Ryder and he had that mischievous gleam in his eye from day one.
“Well, I don’t know anything,” I said.
“Hm. Maybe I should stop by his place?”
Rory shook her head. “You’re letting go, remember? It’s time for him to swim on his own,” she said, rinsing the plates before stacking them in the dishwasher. Lucah sat down next to me.
“More wine?” I asked. I had a few extra bottles for emergencies. He definitely looked like he needed it.