don’t look too happy to see him even though my heart is on the verge of bursting out of my chest.
“You’re…”
Gorgeous? Perfect?
“Here. You’re here. In the flesh. In this bar that… I also happen to be in, although I didn’t notice you because I was at the bar and I had my back turned…”
Alright. I’ve said too much.
“What are you doing here?”
“Having some holiday fun with my brothers and their girlfriends—well, Ethan’s fiancée and Asher’s girlfriend.”
My eyes grow wide. “Asher has a girlfriend?”
Ryker nods. “Hard to believe, I know, but true.”
He glances over his shoulder.
“See that woman with the dark curls?”
“Yup.”
So that’s Asher’s girlfriend. And the pregnant woman must be Ethan’s fiancée.
“And you’re still single?” The question spills out of my mouth.
Ryker’s eyebrows arch. Shit.
“I mean… I don’t… I…”
God, I can’t believe I’ve turned into a babbling mess.
“Yes, I’m still single,” Ryker tells me.
Relief fills my chest, but only for a moment. Now what? What do I say? Do I say I’m single, too? And then what? Do I ask him if he wants to be my boyfriend?
“I’m… going,” I say.
When in doubt, do without. When 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