Fight Like You've Never Lost (Summer Lake #14) - S.J. McCoy Page 0,86

that go. All that mattered was that she didn’t need to believe him now. Now, he could show her, and she could know. He went through to his office and fired up his computer. He had everything there. He’d checked who knew how many times throughout the day. She could watch the video. She could read the emails, and if that wasn’t enough … He didn’t see how it couldn’t be.

Okay. Enough putting it off. It was time to go. He debated walking over there; it wasn’t far. But no. He wanted to get her into his truck and get her back here as soon as he could. He didn’t trust her to walk by his side and not turn around and leave if he said the wrong thing. He chuckled at the thought that he should maybe drive her around town for a while in the hope of disorienting her. If she thought she was miles away she might be less inclined to walk out on him if she got angry. No. He knew better than that. When Leanne was mad, nothing mattered. And before he freaked himself out with that thought, he picked up his keys and went to get in his truck.

He parked in the square and walked over to the steps that led up to the reception at the lodge. Ben came out and greeted him with a smile. “Did you decide to take my advice?”

“Huh?”

“I’m guessing you’re here for Leanne? If not, then I should warn you that she’s in reception.”

“I am.”

“Good luck. I hope sitting down and talking to her works out as well for you as it did for me with Charlotte.”

“Thanks.”

Ryan stood there a few moments before he continued. For Ben and Charlotte, it had ended up in marriage. Was he crazy to think that it could turn out that way for Leanne and him? There was only one way to find out, but he knew in his heart that was what he wanted. Back then, he used to tell her that he’d retire by the time he was forty, and she used to joke that they’d move to a small town and live a quiet little life. They’d both thought that part was a joke, but here they were. They both had work they loved here. He had a house that he’d love to share with her. And even though he felt pretty dumb about it, he still had the ring that she’d given back to him.

He made himself snap to and carry on to the doors. He didn’t need to worry about any of that yet. The first step was to get her to listen to him. Then he’d need to ask her to open back up to him. Even once she knew the truth, she might not be prepared to do that.

He stepped inside and stopped when he saw her. His breath caught somewhere in his chest. She was so damned beautiful. She wore a light blue dress that accentuated her curves. The front was cut in a V-shape that drew his eyes to her breasts. He dragged his gaze away knowing she wouldn’t appreciate catching him there. There was a wide belt around her middle that made her waist look tiny between her amazing breasts and her rounded hips that his fingers twitched to hold again.

He adjusted his pants as he walked toward her. He was hard as a rock and hoping to hide it.

He’d guess by the way she smiled at him, that she knew. Her lips quirked in amusement, but it didn’t reach her eyes. They were wary.

“Hi.”

“Hey.” He almost blew it. He almost got lost in her big, blue eyes and just stood there staring. But he pulled himself together. He needed to go on the offensive. And last night had shown him the best way to begin.

He stepped toward her and wrapped her in a hug. “You look great. Thanks for saying you’ll come.”

He felt her go soft and lean against him. It was only momentary before she stood back and looked up at him. But it was all he needed—for now.

The little crease lined her brow. “I’m not sure this is a great idea, Ryan.”

He almost asked why, but he didn’t want her to explain. Didn’t want her to convince herself. So instead, he slung his arm around her shoulders and started walking. “It’s a great idea. If nothing else, we need to clear the air. I think yesterday proved that’s true if