“I don’t know much about that, but I would guess that maybe it just takes time.” I hated not knowing what to say.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to try and make me feel better. It’s actually kind of nice to talk to someone who doesn’t sound like a motivational poster. I feel more . . . normal with you. You make me forget about everything else.” His words coupled with him looking at me made me blush, and I was grateful for the darkness.
“I’m not sure what to say to that, so thank you. I guess.”
“It’s a compliment, I promise,” he said, and the car pulled up in front of my apartment. I got out, and so did Ryder.
“Aren’t you going back to your place?”
“I am, but I think I’m going to walk. See the city for a little while.” It was nearly midnight, and I wasn’t sure how safe walking around alone was, but I had the feeling Ryder could take care of himself.
“Are you sure?” I leaned in to pay the cabbie and gave him a generous tip that he didn’t even thank me for. Jerk. The car pulled away, and I was left on the freezing sidewalk with Ryder. I wanted this moment to last, but it was so damn cold.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come inside for a minute to get warm? I could send you on your way with some coffee or something.” I didn’t want this night to end. This might be the only one we ever got like this.
“No, no. Go inside, it’s cold. I’ll see you for dinner tomorrow, okay?” I nodded, and he took a few steps backward.
“See you later, Sloane,” he said with a smile. He told me once he didn’t believe in saying goodbyes. That they were too much like endings. He always came up with something else to say that was better.
“See you later, Ryder.” I watched him walk away, shoulders hunched against the cold and his hands in his pockets.
Nine
“So there was no sex? No kissing? He didn’t even cop a feel?” Rory asked the next afternoon. We were having brunch and some much-needed girl time. I suspected Lucah was off checking on Ryder since he had been vague about his own plans.
“Nope. He just took me to an art gallery and then fed me cupcakes. He’s such a monster.” I rolled my eyes and took a bite of my quiche Lorraine. It wasn’t as good as I could make it, but it was passable. Needed nutmeg.
Rory sighed. “Oh come on, I didn’t mean it like that, and you know it. I’m just surprised, is all. He’s usually so sexual. I didn’t know he could actually turn it off and be a gentleman.”
“Well, he didn’t change completely. He was still a little dirty. Just the way I like it.”
Rory sighed and ate her French toast. She was more than used to me by now.
“Well, I hope this isn’t going to become a thing, because I can’t lie to Lucah.”
I’d thought about that and I felt horrible for putting her in the middle. “Yeah, I know. I don’t think it’s going to happen again. It felt . . . final when we left each other. You don’t have anything to worry about.”
She visibly relaxed. “Oh, good. I know Lucah was all Mr. Super Corporate Spy, but I absolutely suck at lying to him now. Must be that stupid love thing.” She said the last part with a smile and looked down at the ring on her left hand.
“That stupid love thing,” I said. I hadn’t experienced that stupid love thing in a while. I told myself I wasn’t experiencing it now. I couldn’t be in love with Ryder. It was much more of an infatuation. Chemistry and sex appeal. Lust in all its glory.
“Yeah. Stupid boys who make us fall in love with them. What the hell is that about?” she said, looking back at me.
“No idea. They should really make a pill to cure that.”
“Agreed. Science is really letting us down.”
“I’ll drink to that,” I said, raising my orange juice. I was going to take it easy today, even though I hadn’t had that many drinks last night.
“Cheers.” We clinked our glasses together.
“So, I’m going to start your dress, probably tomorrow or Monday. It makes more sense to work on it when the studio isn’t filled with needy people.”
I worked there a lot when no one else was around as it gave me a sense of peace. It reminded me of the days when I didn’t have all those employees and interns, and was just renting an absolutely tiny studio that had heat that was always on the fritz and a leaky spot in the roof.
Rory’s eyes lit up. “I’m so excited. I’ve got a lot of things planned for him. Some of them sexual, some of them not.” Rory and Lucah could barely keep their hands off each other, even during working hours. Lady Lust had them tight in her grip.
“Tell me,” I said. She laid out her plans, complete with scotch, her favorite pair of red pumps, a playlist of all their songs, and a whole lot of nudity. I approved of this plan.