21. Mai
It was six thirty, and I'd heard Ryan arrive ten minutes ago. He was downstairs talking to Jem. I couldn't hear enough to work out what they were saying, though, which I found annoying.
I'd spent the last two hours finishing the project I'd been working on, then emailing all my clients with my new phone number and a message saying I was taking time off for the next couple of weeks. I had some money saved up, enough to get me through a month without work if I was careful about it. It wasn't what I had in mind for that money, but I needed a break, needed to sort my head out, and make a new plan. When I knew where I was going, I'd email them back and say I was open for business again.
I was dressed in a simple, turquoise dress that hugged my curves in all the right places. After Derek's lesson, I'd called Sofia and dragged her away from the bar to help me shop. She'd insisted this was the dress for me. She was right; I loved it. It made me feel confident and ready to face whatever the night threw at me.
I opened my door to find Hayley waiting in the corridor. Her hair was up in an elaborate braid, but there were loose strands escaping, giving her a slightly disheveled look. The Hayley I remembered always had perfect hair and make-up. She had on a lot of make-up, and I mean a lot, but it couldn't hide how tired she looked, like she hadn't slept in days.
"Well, well, don't you scrub up nice." Her tone was even, but it had an edge to it.
She'd been nice to me last night, telling me I should stay, but this was the Hayley I knew.
"Thanks." I kept my voice even as I walked past her, hoping that it was the end of our conversation.
"I bet you think you have it made now, don't you? Finally, back where you belong, with everyone running around after you, making sure you're happy."
I paused at the top of the stairs, then pivoted and strode back to her.
"You told me to stay, Hayley. Just like you told me to run four years ago. What? You changed your mind again?"
"I… I didn't tell you—"
"Don't, Hayley. I'm not a kid you can manipulate anymore. You took advantage when I was at my lowest. You told me I should run." A thought occurred to me. "Is that what the problem is? Ryan said that you told them I wanted to leave. And now you're scared I'm going to tell Jem the truth, that you urged me to run?"
Her face paled, and I knew I was right.
"That's why you were so nice to me when I got back. You were trying to figure out what I was going to say. What? Not enough patience to follow it through, Hayley? Now you're going straight back to being a bitch again. What's the plan this time? Make my life miserable, so I'll leave and won't have time to rat you out to Jem?"
"Go ahead," she said, her voice wavering. "He won't believe you over me."
Maybe, but Jem would always wonder. I couldn't do that to him or to the Pack.
I shook my head. "You can relax, Hayley. I'm not going to tell him. I've only been back a few days, but even I can see how messed up your bond is and how it's hurting the whole Pack. Me telling Jem would only make it worse for everyone."
I caught the relief that flooded her gaze before she could hide it.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Mai!" Jem's voice floated up from the bottom of the stairs. "Ryan's here."
Before I could respond, Hayley turned on her heel and walked away.
My stomach did a triple pirouette as I took a deep breath and made my way downstairs. Ryan was there, looking every bit as pant-wettingly gorgeous as I remembered, in smart black pants and a pale pink shirt unbuttoned at the top. His brown hair was styled to perfection, his blue eyes sparkling as he looked up and saw me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke; we just stared at each other in silence. All I could think was how much I wanted to run my fingers down his broad chest, kiss every line on his stomach, and finally touch what was hiding in his pants. Ryan broke my train of thought when he took a step toward me, his hand reaching out to touch my arm. A jolt of electricity raced across my entire body.
"You look stunning," he said softly, his eyes never leaving mine.
I felt a blush creep up my cheeks as I smiled at him. "Thank you. Right back at you."
Oh, my Goddess, were we really going to be able to go a whole night without arguing?
Ryan smiled, his hand still on my arm. "Are you ready?" he asked. I nodded, and he gestured toward the door. "After you," he said.
"Not so fast," Jem's voice was abrupt, reminding me that I wasn't alone with Ryan, not yet.
"You look beautiful, Mai. Have a good evening, and if Ryan doesn't treat you right, just let me know, and I'll make him do five thousand push-ups a day for the next year." He kissed me on my cheek, slapped Ryan on the back, and watched as we walked out the door.
As we made our way outside, I thought about Wally's words from earlier. Could I really forget about everything that had happened between us for one night? Could I pretend this was just a first date without any of the history or baggage we brought with us?
Ryan opened the car door for me, and I slid into the passenger seat. His eyes met mine as he shut the door, and I could see the intensity in them. It was like he was looking right inside me, seeing all my fears and doubts and desires. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my nerves at bay as he climbed into the driver's seat and started the car.
We were both silent as he drove. Now that we were finally here, I didn't know what to say. Ryan's knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel, and I could feel the heat rolling off him in waves. I kept stealing glances at him out of the corner of my eye, taking in the way his jaw was set and his muscles were tensed beneath his shirt. It was like he was holding himself back, fighting against some powerful urge. Every time our eyes met, I felt a spark ignite between us, a connection that I was finding increasingly impossible to ignore.
If my wolf had been a cat, she would have been purring. We were exactly where she wanted us to be. But it wasn't that easy for me, and every time I opened my mouth to say something, I quickly shut it again. What to say that wasn't off-limits? I couldn't ask about his brothers, or work, or Jem. Did he have a hobby? I couldn't ask that; it sounded so lame. I had to ask something, though, before this got even more awkward.
"So where exactly are you taking me for our past-free dinner?"
Ryan looked over at me, then nodded his head at the Bottley Bar. "Here. I thought you'd be comfortable at some place you knew."
I glanced out the window at the packed bar and froze.