Wild Embrace (Wilder Irish #11) - Mari Carr Page 0,41

but she insisted on helping.

Within half an hour, they had the two extra tables, as well as the long dining room table, set for the meal. Everyone starting showing up over the course of the next hour. It was every bit as loud as she’d warned Ryder, but he was either being an extremely good sport or was genuinely enjoying himself.

Just before the meal, they did their annual “friend I’m most thankful for.”

Darcy gave Ryder a teasing grin when it was his turn. She expected him to be thankful for Yvonne and Leo—so she was shocked when he pointed to her.

“I’m thankful for Darcy. She came into my life during a very difficult time for me, and for the past four years, she’s always been there, no matter what I needed—help with the boys, a new graphic artist at work, or even just someone to explain what the hell is going on in Fortnite.”

Everyone laughed, and Lochlan raised his beer bottle. “I feel you there, man.”

Ryder continued, looking directly at her. “I’ve never once said thanks, Darcy, for all you’ve done for me, so I’m glad to get the chance now. I’m very thankful to have you in my and Clint’s lives.”

Darcy was so touched, she had to fight hard not to cry. She caught the far-too-interested gazes from her friends, Kelli and Brooklyn, who would no doubt corner her later to ask what was up. Then Sunnie gave her a knowing wink that made her blush as much as Ryder’s kind words.

It was Darcy’s turn next. “Well, this is kind of awkward. Because I was going to say I was thankful for Ryder for getting me a job with a 401K. Seems to pale in comparison.”

Ryder laughed and reached out to ruffle her hair affectionately. They’d agreed to keep the trial run on the down low, but Ryder wasn’t going out of his way to hide much. He’d spent most of the afternoon standing next to her, and he’d claimed the seat at the table beside her.

Typically, it wasn’t unusual for Friendsgiving to run well into the wee hours of night, but this year was different. Caitlyn, who was pregnant, was suffering from what she called morning, noon, and night sickness, so she and her husband, Lucas, left right after dinner. Oliver and Gavin had seemed to be out of sorts all night, which was weird because they were usually thick as thieves. Darcy wasn’t sure what was going on, but she wondered if it had something to do with the fact Ollie had a new girlfriend, Erin, and things between them seemed to be getting serious quick.

Even Colm, who was always ready to take things to the next level, was quieter than normal. When Kelli, the ultimate party girl, said she was going to call it an early night as well, Colm offered to walk her home, and Darcy knew that Friendsgiving was officially over.

Yvonne, as always, was anxious to get back to Reba. “Well, I can’t believe you made it to the end,” Yvonne teased Ryder before looking at Darcy. “He insisted on bringing his own car in case he wanted to leave early. Of course, this is wrapping up way earlier than usual.”

Leo helped Yvonne put on her coat. “Everyone is still probably hungover from that Halloween party.”

“You were planning to leave early?” Darcy joked with Ryder, pretending to be insulted that he had an escape route, when inside, her stomach was turning flip-flops at the thought he’d brought his own car. “How unlike you.”

Even as she spoke, Darcy didn’t dare look him directly in the eye.

She prayed he intended to stay…hopefully all night.

Her prayers seemed to be answered when Ryder said, “I’m going to stick around a little while. Help Darcy put the tables back upstairs.”

Yvonne smiled. “That’s sweet of you. See you at home.” She picked up the dessert plate they’d wrapped up for the boys and headed to the stairs that led down to the pub. Darcy caught the quick look Leo and Ryder exchanged, curious when Leo nodded his head, even though neither of them had spoken.

“What was that?” Darcy murmured.

Ryder just smiled and shrugged. They said their goodbyes to Lochlan and May, who followed Yvonne and Leo out, and over the course of the next half hour, everyone else finished cleaning up and headed back to their own places.

Oliver, one of the last to leave, said he was going to drive Erin home, and Darcy suspected he would spend the night