you’re not sure how to advance, it’s best to retreat.
Ryker doesn’t try to stop me, so I start to walk off, even though every drop of my blood, every inch of my skin is screaming for me to stay.
Tell me to stay.
“Wait.”
As soon as he says the word, I stop. He grips my arm and I look over my shoulder as I wait for what he’ll say next. He looks around.
“Let’s go somewhere quieter,” he says.
I say nothing. I just let Ryker lead me out of the bar and towards the far end of the lobby, to a quiet spot under the staircase next to a giant golden harp.
I wonder why we’re hiding. Is he afraid someone from the press or an important guest staying at this hotel might recognize him? Is he trying to keep me away from his brothers? I don’t really care.
“You’re not in a hurry to leave, are you?” Ryker asks.
I see the hopeful gleam in his eyes.
“No,” I answer. “I just… felt a little tired.”
“Sure you don’t have a boyfriend waiting?”
Now he’s teasing me. Or is he testing the waters?
“No,” I say. “It’s just me back here in Chicago.”
“Since when?”
“Yesterday.”
“For how long?”
He sure is asking a lot of questions.
“Until after Joel’s wedding, at least,” I reply.
“Right.” Ryker nods. “I can’t believe he’s getting married, either.”
“She’s amazing. Natalie, I mean. His bride-to-be. That’s probably why he doesn’t want to let her go.”
“I’m sure she is,” Ryker says. “I haven’t met her yet, but I think I will soon. He said he’ll be spending Christmas here in Chicago.”
“Yeah.”
“Is he here already?”
“No. He still had some stuff to finish at work, but he’ll be here soon. I’m sure he’ll call you as soon as he arrives. Or maybe after he and Nat have their reunion kiss.”
“The fiancée trumps the best friend, huh?”
“You bet.”
Joel’s been crazy about Natalie ever since he met her. Sometimes he even forgets about me.
“Actually, she may be the new best friend,” I tell Ryker.
He frowns. “Then I guess I have to find myself a new one, too.”
I almost tell him I can be his new best friend but I stop myself in time. I don’t want to make him any offers. Not yet.
“So, you’re staying at Natalie’s place?” Ryker asks.
“No. I have my own apartment.”
That he’s welcome to visit anytime.
“But you’re spending Christmas with your brother and Natalie, right?”
“Yeah.”
Unless he asks me to spend it with him, which I’d love to. He doesn’t.
“What about you?” I decide to ask him a question this time. “What are your plans for Christmas?”
“Oh, I still have work to do next week,” Ryker answers.
I pout. “Scrooge.”
“Shouldn’t you be busy cooking for Christmas parties?” he asks. “You’re a chef, aren’t you?”
I place a finger on my chin. “Let me guess. My brother has been keeping you updated about my life.”
“And I’ve seen the dishes you make on Instagram.”
Ryker follows my Instagram? I mean, I know he’s one of my followers, but to think that he’s actually been looking at my photos even though he’s never liked any of them?
I find myself blushing. “Thanks.”
Thanks?
“I mean yes, I am a chef, and I’m cooking Christmas dinner for Joel and Nat. No one else.”
“I see. So you’re taking a break?”
I shrug. “A little bit.”
“Are you cooking for Joel and Natalie’s wedding?”
“Nope. I want to enjoy that day. I want to wear a pretty dress, be in the ballroom and dance, not wear an apron and be covered with sauces in the kitchen.”
Not to mention I want to be able to keep my eyes on Ryker throughout the whole thing. Maybe even dance with him?
Ryker grins. “Perfectly understandable.”
Does that mean he’ll dance with me? Shit. I sound like a teenager before prom.
“Although I think you’d still look good in an apron,” Ryker adds.
My breath catches. My eyes grow wide.
Ryker thinks I’d look good in an apron? He gave me a compliment?
It’s not like he’s never given me compliments before. He used to tell me that I had nice hair, that my dress was nice, that I did well on a test, that I was a natural at soccer. But this is different. It hits different.
I don’t know how to respond. I know I have to, though, before everything gets too awkward.
Shit.
Just as I open my mouth to say something, a man in a green and gold Santa elf suit approaches us. A member of the hotel staff judging by the ID hanging around his neck right behind his old-fashioned camera.
“Would you like me