“Good.” I smile and take notes. I lead her to another part of the room and begin to go over more of my plans. She nods some more and approves everything I say, which makes my job a lot easier. We finish and head out to the parking lot together. “Bye,” I call cheerily.

“Bye.” She waves and gets into a sleek white BMW sports car.

I slide into my car and start the engine. Before I can pull out, I get a text.

Unknown number: Danielle is sick and can’t make it. Can you pick up coffee and donuts? Or cupcakes? Or cookies? Anything? I’m desperate here.

Even if the contents of the message didn’t give it

away, I already had the number memorized.

Ryder.

Me: Sure

Ryder: You’re a life saver. Thanks. I would’ve done it myself, but I have to get Cole from daycare and home to the sitter.

Me: You don’t have to explain.

Ryder: I wanted to. See you at Group.

I set my phone in the cup holder and head over to a local cupcake shop. I get a random assortment of two dozen and then go across the road to Dunkin Donuts to get the coffee. I also beg them to let me buy some cups too, just in case. I haven’t been responsible for bringing the food and drink before, so I’m not sure if I’m supposed to bring the cups too. I snag a mountain of napkins from there too and receive glares from the staff. I ignore it, though. I have more important things to worry about than grumpy Dunkin Donuts workers.

I head straight to the high school after leaving Dunkin Donuts. I’ll be early, but since I have the stuff, I figure I should get there to set it up.

I get to the stoplight to turn onto the road that leads back to the high school and I end up behind Ryder. I follow him down the road and we park side by side. He hops out of his car and hurries over to mine to help me with everything.

He opens my door and I can’t help but look him over.

He’s dressed in a pair of khaki pants and a light-blue sweater that makes his olive-toned skin look even darker than normal. He’s not wearing his glasses today, and I find myself missing them.

“Hey,” he says, and it’s then that I realize I’ve been staring at him like a psycho.

My cheeks turn pink and I look away hastily, embarrassment clinging to me like a second, slimy skin. “Hi,” I mutter, reaching over for the coffee.

“Let me take that,” Ryder says, and grabs it from me. Our fingers touch and fireworks ignite across my skin. I jump back and my eyes widen in surprise. “Stupid static electricity,” he mutters, and I pale. That’s a much more plausible explanation for what I felt instead of … of … I can’t even describe what I thought it was.

I grab my purse and the cupcake boxes. Ryder waits patiently while I get out of the car and then closes the door for me.

We head inside the building together.

“How have you been?” he asks me as our feet squeak across the gym floor.

“Okay, I guess.” I keep ahold of the cupcake boxes while Ryder unlocks a door so he can grab the table. Still holding onto the carafe, he carries the folded up table out one handed. The muscles in his shoulders bunch, and his sweater stretches tight across them. I may or may not lick my lips at the sight. Almost as soon as I do it I’m horrified. Am I attracted to Ryder? No. Hell no. I can’t be.

Ryder sets the table and coffee carafe down so he can unfold the legs and stand it up. I stand there like a complete numbskull, mulling over my previous revelation. I don’t have a crush on Ryder, do I? I’m not even over Ben yet? How could I possibly have feelings for another man? One I barely even know?

“You okay?” Ryder asks, his dark brows furrowing together as he takes the cupcake boxes from my outstretched hands.

“Me?” I ask, and my voice is several pitches higher than normal. “Fine.” I wave a hand dismissively and scurry into the closet to begin setting up the chairs. Before I flee, I see the look of confusion flash over his face. I’m being a freak, I know, but there’s no way I can explain to him that I think I might have a crush on him. There has to be some rational explanation for this. Like the warm and fuzzy feeling inside me is from gas or something. Yep, I’m totally blaming this on gas.

I carry two chairs out and set them up. I’m not paying attention, and have my head down, and when I turn to head into the closet, I bump into Ryder’s very hard, very muscular chest. I freeze, with my palms splayed across his stomach, holding onto the fabric of his shirt so I don’t fall.

“Whoa,” he says and the chairs fall from his hands so that he can grip my waist. I’m pressed right up against him and I can feel his heart racing beneath his sweater. I’m positive mine’s beating just as fast, and I wonder idly if he can feel it. My eyes flit up to his and he stares down at me with warm brown eyes. His tongue slides out to wet his lips and time seems to stand still. I don’t let go and neither does he. It might only be seconds, or minutes for all I know. Regardless, I know we’re both holding on longer than what’s appropriate. His arms feel wrong around me, but right at the same time. I’m so conflicted and that confliction makes me feel sick to my stomach. I jerk away and he lets me go immediately.

“I … I’m sorry. I have to go,” I mutter, looking down. I grab my purse and head for the door.

“Blaire?” I hear him call after me, but members of Group are already beginning to arrive. “Blaire?” he calls again. I don’t look back to see if he’s following me. I want to, but I can’t let myself.

Tags: Micalea Smeltzer Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net