Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
I returned the stubbornness ten-fold. "Great. Glad to hear it." Our staredown was interrupted by a familiar excited voice.
"Unca Ry!" Sammy was wide awake as he flung himself in my direction, confident I would catch him, which I did.
"Hey Sammy, you’re a big boy now, aren’t ya?"
He nodded and hugged me tight. "I’mma big boy."
My eyes slid shut as I hugged him back. He wouldn’t grow up with his father, but he would have an entire team to raise him and guide him, love and protect him. I’m so sorry, Sam. "A really big boy. Must be eating a lot of Mommy’s mac and cheese."
Vicki laughed. "I cook more than that when we have guests, which is often. What are you doing here?"
I knew what she was asking, and dammit, I should have realized sooner. "Medical leave. Two bullets, one in the abdomen and the other in the leg. I’m good. PT is helping."
Vicki tilted her head to one side and studied me. "You’re worried you won’t heal enough."
I nodded. "It’s crossed my mind, but I’m not worried. Not anymore." My gaze landed on Torey.
Torey’s smile was small but it was there. "That’s good, Ry."
The doorbell rang, interrupting whatever Vicki had been about to say, and she rose, eyeing Sammy in my arms with a gentle smile. "I’ll get that." She returned with a group of six, which meant my impromptu visit was over.
A hug and a quick peck on the cheek, and Torey and I were back on the road headed to Holiday Grove.
And karaoke.
Chapter 15
Torey
“You didn’t mention you can’t carry a tune in a breadbasket.” Ryan’s lips twitched as he looped an arm around my waist and tugged me into his side with his free hand. The other held our fourth place trophy, which was the size of a guppie.
“It wasn’t that bad,” I insisted, pouting.
“You’re right. It was worse. A lot worse.” He chuckled and kissed my cheek. “But you put on a hell of a show. That’s probably why we didn’t come in last place.”
God, it felt so good being with him like this. It was so natural, as if we’d been freely affectionate like this forever. “Yeah, well…thanks, I guess.”
“You’re welcome. Now that we’ve finished our couple’s karaoke duties, how about we grab something to eat?” There was a hint of hope in his voice that in turn gave me hope.
“You want to take me out to dinner? Like a date?”
He shook his head and leaned in close before he whispered in my ear. “No, Tor, not like a date, but an actual date.”
Yes, please. “In that case, I’d love it. I’m starving.” When we stepped into Holiday Beef, I let out a low whistle. “Fancy, are you trying to impress me?” I held my breath and waited for his answer because everything that happened between us since leaving Vicki’s place felt significant.
“I am. I know that I can impress you in the bedroom and the karaoke bar, now it’s time to prove it in the rest of the world.” He swallowed dramatically, as if the admission cost him.
“These are from Chef Mario.” Our server placed two cocktail glasses on the table, each decorated with a chocolate and strawberry swirl. “These are Afterglow, his new signature cocktail based on your winning cocktail.”
It was delicious. “The flavors are similar to ours only more elevated,” I offered. “Because of course it is, Mario is as fancy as they come.”
Ryan chuckled and took a sip. “My afterglow is better,” he replied confidently.
“I couldn’t agree more.” I took another sip for confidence and exhaled. “Which begs the question, why are you trying to impress me, Ryan?”
“Because, Torey, I like you. For real.”
My whole being went up in flames at those words. “I like you too, Ryan. For real.”
He smiled. “It’s not fair to ask you to date me—I know that. But I also know that I can’t not take this risk.”
Wow. “Is that why you took me to see Vicki, so I could see what I was signing up for?”
“Yes, and no. I wanted you to know that it’s not just me. We’re a family, no different than Holiday Grove. I wanted you to see other parts of me, parts that people who’ve known me forever, don’t necessarily know.”
My heart beat a wild cadence in my chest at his words and I knew it was the last piece of the puzzle falling into place. Ryan liked me and wanted to date me but me? I was in love with him. This was exactly what I was afraid would happen only now that it had, I wasn’t afraid. “I know you, Ryan. I may not know the commitment or the sacrifice, but I know you.”
He reached across the table and held my hands. “More importantly, you understand me.”
“I’m trying.” I sighed and gave his hands a squeeze. “So you want to date when you’re home?” I wanted him. Hell, I loved him but I couldn’t agree to that.