two combined in an intoxicating blend. He was going to drop a kiss on her cheek. She knew he was. A tender, sweet peck that would say more than words. Angie’s eyes drifted shut. This was a moment she’d treasure. Sweet Ryan kissing the cheek of his basket case friend.
She felt him hesitate for a moment. Maybe she’d read this wrong. Maybe …
But then, there he was. Fingertips and thumb on her cheek and his lips against her own. Warm, soft, full lips pressing into the space of her mouth with a gentleness that was sure to leave her dizzy. Her mind screamed to back away. Get out. Stop. But she didn’t. Her body instinctively moved to give him more access to her. A rumble of pleasure slipped from her mouth—most unexpectedly, and before her brain could catch up, she was tilting her head and lacing her fingers into his hair.
The kiss deepened.
Then, Ryan pulled away. He was breathless, forcing out shallow puffs of air. He looked confused. “I’m—I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Humiliation zinged through her system. Oh God. He looked like he’d just kissed his own sister. Or worse, his mother. “I’m sorry too.” The feel of his lips still remained on her mouth and she reached up to try to swipe the sensation away but instead, her tongue slipped out and ran over the now fiery opening, capturing his kiss. Oh dear. She’d kissed another man. Not her husband. Not Brice, but someone else. She’d kissed someone.
The breeze blew past. It was cool. It hinted at new beginnings and dreams and wishes. Angela Reed was a free woman. And free women could do whatever they wanted. Even kiss other men. She turned to watch the seagulls diving over the water and soaring to unimaginable heights. A Cheshire smile spread across her face. I kissed a hot guy. Go me.
It wasn’t until dessert that the conversation picked up again.
The awkwardness had gone, replaced by a comfortable silence until for reasons unknown, she launched into a dissertation about her stepsons and how much she missed them. Still, she was doing the right thing, giving them space. In her heart, she knew it to be true. But her mind poked daggers at her psyche claiming her unfit as a step-mom. All of this she blurted to Ryan over key lime pie. “I need to be stronger. That’s all. If I wasn’t so weak—”
He chuckled. “You and weak are not words I’d put in the same sentence. Besides Angela, you don’t have to be strong today. Give yourself a free pass.”
Tears rushed to her eyes. One overshot the rim and trickled down her cheek, landing on his hand.
“Hey,” Ryan whispered and scooted closer.
It had been a nice lunch, sitting on the open patio of the bistro overlooking the water and the boats. Ryan had been a sympathetic ear. But she was done talking. It was getting too deep, too personal, and all the old feelings were rushing to the surface. Why did they come out of nowhere like this?
But she knew why. She was beginning to work on figuring out the rest of her life, and she’d found herself to be a completely boring woman with no real passions and no real interests. She liked things. But she didn’t love anything enough to stick with it for the rest of forever.
“Ryan,” she sniffed and gathered her moxie. “I’m sorry you have to see me in this ridiculously emotional state. I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.”
“What’s bothering you the most? Is it the divorce? Your stepsons? If we can determine the root, maybe we can work through it together.”
“It’s … everything.” How could she explain it? She didn’t even understand it. “I’ve made my peace with being divorced. But here I am. Thirty-nine. No job. I’m free for the first time in my life. Free to travel, eat dinner at midnight if I want. But all I can think about is how much I want to share it. I just thought that my husband and I would grow old together. I don’t have anyone to grow old with, Ryan. And that makes me sad because the thing I love in life the most is sharing my life with others.”
“Angela, some people are meant to be alone. Some aren’t. Just because your husband was a jerk, that doesn’t mean you’re done. There are other men out there. Good men.”
She blinked. “And what does that say about me? That I can’t