Getting Lucky - Jennifer Lazaris Page 0,37

you. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t. Please talk to Zoe. She’s hurt. I’m sure this can be fixed. That is, if you want to, and if you care about her like I think you do.”

Ryder took a step back. The anger drained from him, leaving his limbs heavy with exhaustion. Jesus, had he really just thought about punching his best friend? He’d crossed so many lines and broken so many rules lately that nothing made sense anymore.

Nic turned Fally toward the door. “Come on. We’ve harassed him enough for one night.”

Ryder stood next to them, holding the door open. Physically and emotionally drained, he only wanted to collapse on his bed and try to sleep. Even if sleep didn’t come, he needed to lie down.

“Goodnight,” he muttered.

Fally paused to study Ryder, then clapped him on the shoulder. “You look like shit. Try and get some sleep.”

Ryder closed the door behind them, threw back another tumbler of whiskey and began the long climb up the staircase to his room. He still felt guilty about what had just happened with Fally.

He and Fally had come up through the league together. They’d both started out in Vancouver, and instantly became friends. Ryder was traded to Montreal a year later, but they’d always stayed close.

Fally was the first person by his side when he’d lost Danielle and his son. When Fally was traded to Las Vegas, Ryder threw a party for him. He didn’t have any siblings, but he considered Fally his brother. Which made what just happened inexcusable.

He knew his friends meant well, but not everyone’s life could be tied up in a pretty bow ending in some fairy tale, happily ever after. Life didn’t work that way.

He was living proof of that.

CHAPTER 18

“I’m worried about you, Zoe. You have to stop stressing so much about your job situation. You’re starting to depress me, and that’s hard to do,” said Leah.

“Sorry. Things just seem impossible,” she replied.

It had been two weeks since her argument with Ryder. Two weeks of introspection. Two weeks of crying.

Two weeks seemed like an eternity.

“It will get better. Keep applying. If you have to take something outside of your field in the meantime, there’s no shame in that.” She stood. “I’m heading to bed. See you in the morning.”

After saying goodnight to Leah, Zoe settled back on the couch with a bag of chips.

Why did her life always have to be such a mess? She still hadn’t found a job, and she didn’t see things improving with Ryder any time soon.

The expression on his face when he left her apartment had been one of hurt, anger and disappointment. When he’d told her she’d never see him again, it had crushed her. His eyes had been so cold.

She’d never seen him angry before, but he’d left a large dent in the wall outside her apartment.

To top things off, Leah mentioned she was moving out in a day or two, and Zoe would have to start hunting for a new roommate. Leah agreed to pay rent for a month to give Zoe a chance to find someone.

She’d be better off back in Florida. She’d considered moving back, but even though she missed her family, it wasn’t in her to turn tail and run.

Her phone beeped with a text from an unknown number.

Unknown Number: Hi. Is this Zoe?

Zoe: Yes, who is this?

Unknown Number: It’s Nic. We met at Ryder’s get together. Would you be free to meet me for a drink tomorrow?

Zoe stared at the phone, stunned. Did Nic know that she wasn’t dating Ryder?

Zoe: Why?

Unknown Number: I want to talk to you about Ryder. Don’t worry, he doesn’t know I’m texting. He’d totally kill me.

Zoe: Nic, we aren’t together. I mean, we aren’t seeing each other. So I’m not sure why you need to talk to me.

Unknown Number: I know. Please, just for a quick drink? At the Palisades Hotel. Callahan’s VIP bar. 6:30 okay for you?

What could this woman have to tell her about Ryder? Responsible Zoe would tell her to take a hike and delete the text. But, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Her curiosity got the best of her.

Zoe: I got in the VIP room by luck last time. The guy at the front desk let me in for my birthday. Don’t know if I can get in again.

Unknown Number: I’ll make sure he knows you are free to visit anytime. His name is James. So, will you meet with me?

Zoe hesitated for a