“Oh, dear, he talks about you all the time. It makes this little old lady’s day to hear about it.” She pulled a pad from the pocket of her apron and looked at Luke.
“This is Ethel.” He introduced me.
“Oh, my manners. He must not talk about me much.” She laughed.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ethel,” I replied then she went about taking our drink orders.
“What are you doing here so late?” Luke asked her.
“Ryan told me he was bringing his friend in for dinner, so I switched shifts, so I could meet her. Not like this happens every day.”
“Good point,” Luke chuckled.
“Glad I got to meet yours, too.” Ethel smiled at me and then walked away from the table.
Ryan walked in a few minutes later with a raven-haired girl. She was small beside him but had a fierceness in her eyes.
“Cindy.” Luke gave her a half hug then turned to me.
“Emmy,” she smiled and then looked back at Luke. “I know all about Emmy.” She chuckled and then slid into the booth as Ryan turned back toward the table.
“Cindy, this is Emmy.” Ryan introduced as he slid in beside her.
She smiled up at him and then turned back to Luke and I.
“So, tell me the truth because I'm not sure Ryan is always honest with me. I need the truth about you two.” She pointed between us, and in that moment, I liked her.
“There isn't much to tell.” Luke smiled down at me.
“Yeah, right.” She giggles. “I've known you for a long time, Luke Lawson, and I have never seen you look at a woman then way you looked at her.”
“Well, she is pretty great,” Ryan chirped beside her.
“Really?” Cindy looked at him, and he shrank in the booth. For one, I had never seen Ryan shrink away from anyone, and two she seemed to be exactly what Ryan needed. Ryan reached over and took her hand, and they disappeared under the table. She gave him a sly smile.
“We worked hard to make this happen.” Luke leaned over and kissed the side of my head.
&n
bsp; I could see her following Luke’s movements, suddenly realizing that she wanted that with Ryan.
I kicked Ryan under the table, and he jerked his head up and looked between Luke and me. I smiled and darted my eyes toward Cindy whose face was in her menu. Ryan reached around her and pulled her closer, and I saw the smile spread across her face. I winked at him, and he nodded. He just needed a little direction.
“You trying to make sure he does things right?” Luke whispered in my ear.
“He is on the right road, he just isn't you.” I leaned into Luke. I could tell Ryan liked her, and that it was more than just sex for him, even if he wouldn't admit it. After dinner, I grabbed Ryan in a hug and whispered in his ear. “Bring her to Portland for my grandfather’s cookout, also open doors and touch her in non-sexual ways. I like her.”
His deep chuckle rumbled as we separated.
“It was so nice to meet you,” I hugged Cindy loosely. Ryan took her hand and led her to his truck and opened the door, helping her in. Once she was seated in the truck, he leaned in, kissed the side of her head, and closed the door. I knew then that she was different and Ryan cared about her more that he wanted to admit.
“How long have they been seeing each other?” I asked as I leaned back into Luke’s arms.
“Almost eight years. It started not long after high school.”
I looked at him over my shoulder and sighed. “She’s crazy.”
“About him, yes.” He tugged me closer.