that was the last of my savings. If I didn’t get the bonus paid out within a month, I’d have to move us to a cheaper apartment.
I didn’t want to seriously consider that possibility, though—not yet.
At six o’clock, I sprinted out of the building. It was a gorgeous mid-April evening, so I planned to walk the few blocks to the Northern Lights. With kids being on Easter vacation, one would think that the city would be emptier—it had been like that in my hometown growing up, but it wasn’t the case with New York.
When I arrived, the bar wasn’t as busy as usual. Happy hour hadn’t started yet, but I was just on time, because Ryker was up on the stage. I took a moment to admire him before I made my presence known. God, he was just perfect. Everything from the way he moved to those sculpted muscles. He hadn’t changed out of his suit, but honestly, that just made him more alluring. Our gazes crossed while he took his seat on the stage. He lifted a brow. I flashed back a sassy smile. Why not own up to checking him out?
Cole was there, with a man who seemed vaguely familiar.
“Hi, Cole!”
“Hi, Heather. This is Hunter.” Ah, that’s why he looked familiar. I’d seen him in magazines. Ryker jumped down from the stage, greeting me with a kiss.
Cole wiggled his eyebrows at us both.
“Hunter, why don’t you keep an eye on Cole? Don’t know if he can behave,” Ryker said.
Hunter grinned. “And you want to impress, I get it.”
Ryker groaned before focusing on me. “Heather, stay as far away as you can from these two buffoons.”
“Why? Your sisters sang your praises. Maybe one of them will actually tell me the truth.”
Cole held his hand up. “I’m your man.”
Hunter held his fingers to his throat. “Abort mission man, or we won’t be allowed here again.”
Cole winked. “I’ll take my chances.”
“Here’s a brave man,” I said.
“I know, right? Where should we sit?”
“Unfortunately, Cole and I actually have to go. We’re having a late night at the office and just came for a break,” Hunter said.
“And to annoy Ryker, who didn’t mention you’d be here,” Cole said with yet another eyebrow wiggle. I laughed, bidding them goodbye as they left. Ryker jumped back on stage, and I took a seat right in front of it.
One of their waitresses brought over a cocktail on the house. I had no idea what it was—something orange that tasted a lot like sherry. It was delicious.
The place started to fill soon after the guys sang the first notes. I wasn’t really paying attention to the music though. I was too lost in him. God, the way he looked at me... as if there was no one else in the room. As if he sang just for me. My heart was beating wildly.
Sighing, I tore my gaze from the stage, because I needed to calm my racing pulse, and it was obvious I couldn’t do that while holding eye contact with this sexy man. To my dismay, when I went to the bar to get a second drink, I realized two women sitting there were shamelessly eye-fucking him.
“God, he’s hot,” one of them murmured. “I’m bagging him tonight.”
“Is he single?”
“Ryker? Please, he’s perpetually single. Why would he tie himself down? I mean, look at him. He can probably get a different woman every night.”
I forced myself to go back to my seat after getting my drink and focused on the music. A ball of unease lodged in my chest. Ryker’s personal life was so easy and free. He was under constant pressure at his job, so he liked to let off steam in his down time. My life was different—planned to the minute. I loved it, and spending time with Avery was my favorite thing to do... but I couldn’t imagine Ryker wanting the same thing.
These few days were different, because it was just the two of us, but what would happen at the end of the week, when my baby was back home? Ugh, why did I have to get negative? Geez, Heather, enjoy the moment.
I stared into my orange cocktail, playing with the tiny umbrella that came with it, making myself a promise.
I’d just enjoy this week, without any what-ifs. After all, I kept telling myself I didn’t want to jump in with both feet again, so why even consider what would happen at the end of the week?
Looking up, I had my answer right