Ryker (21 page)

Max looked at me as if I had two heads. “What the hell has happened to you?”

“Faith happened.”

“Yeah, I get that.”

“She’s everything I’m not, everything I want to be. The years that I treated her like shit are behind me. Her heart is so good, ya know? She knows what she wants, and she isn’t afraid to go after it.”

Max grinned. “When I first met Faith, she was playing with a hula hoop in the front yard. They had just moved in. I guess she was about five or so, and to me, she was just this little girl I couldn’t be bothered with. Then she ran across her yard to me. She handed me her hula hoop and asked me if I wanted to play with her. I remember thinking there was no way I would put a girl toy around my waist, because God forbid my buddies rode by on their bikes and saw me. So do you know what she did?”

I could only imagine. “No, what’d she do?”

“She stepped into it and started moving her hips. That stupid circle spun and spun. She said boys probably couldn’t do it anyway, and if I’d rather play baseball, she’d go get her mitt and ball. So I told her to hand it over, and she had this look on her face like she knew what she was doing, even back then. She handed over the hoop, I stepped into it, and it fell to the ground. I was so irritated, but she taught me how to do it. Granted, she could walk around the yard with the thing spinning all around her, but she didn’t let me give up. By the end of the week, I could spin that fucker around my waist as good as she could.”

My eyes went wide. I laughed while picturing Max hula hooping. “That had to be a sight.”

“Yeah,” he laughed. “Believe me, once that was conquered, I never picked it up again. My point is, Faith believes in people. She believed I could do it, and she didn’t walk away. She helped me until I got it.”

“You were lucky to have each other.”

“When the Bishops moved in, I was disappointed they had a little girl and not a boy I could hang out with,” Max said. “Today, I couldn’t be happier she moved in. When you were treating her badly, I was ready to beat the crap out of you. Not because I liked her more, but because I knew she wouldn’t give up on you, and you shouldn’t give up on her.”

“You’re right. I promise you that I’ll never give up on her or on us.”

We stood, and Max clapped my back. “Good to know.”

My feet didn’t even feel as if they were touching the carpeted floor. My stilettos were floating, or maybe just I was. Cloud nine was not a myth; I’d discovered it.

Lisa brought me my mail after I got to my desk. “You look different.”

My smile was a dead giveaway. “I feel different.”

Lisa clapped and leaned in as if I was about to reveal the world’s greatest mystery. “Did you have a hot date with the guy who sent you flowers? His name is Erik, right?”

“I did have a nice time with Erik, but we aren’t dating. We’re just friends.” Should I tell her about Ryker? She’d probably wonder why I was acting like a love-struck girl if I didn’t tell her. She didn’t work for me, so I wouldn’t cross any lines by talking to her. Plus, it was nice to have another woman to talk to. I loved Tyf, but Lisa was nice too, and she was removed from the situation.

“So what happened?” Lisa pressed. “Come on, my life is so boring. The greatest excitement I’ve had lately was when I met Max and Ryker yesterday.”

Just the sound of his name made my chest swell. “Well, let’s just say that Ryker and I are on better terms since we saw him at lunch. He asked me to be his girlfriend.” I couldn’t help but smile.

“Shut the front door! He is so hot! Ugh, my life sucks.” She sat back in the chair, and her arm dropped.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you kidding me? I doubt your life sucks.”

“You have no idea. All the guys I attract are losers.” She motioned toward her chest. “Loser magnet.”

“Well, I just think that you haven’t met the right person yet. You will, though, and when you do, you’ll know it.”

She gave me a crooked smile. “Yeah, maybe. Tell me about him. What happened? How did you end up together?”

“He came to the bar where I was last night, and one thing led to another. You have to understand that I’ve known him for years; we just never got along well. I think our favorite things to say to each other were, ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘You’re forgiven.’ I’m not like the women he usually sees, and that terrified me. But last night was different. We talked through a lot of things and decided we want to be together. Well, he decided. I’ve always wanted to be with him.”

“Wow. Just wow. You’re a lucky woman. He’s hot!” The look on her face told me she regretted that last part.

I laughed and put her out of her misery. “It’s okay. I know he’s hot.”

She got up to leave my office. “I know that we’ve only known each other for a day, but I’m really happy for you.”

I watched her leave and wondered who had hurt her and why. My office phone rang, breaking me from that thought. “Faith Bishop.”

“Well, if it isn’t my friend. How are you?”

Bobby. How did he know my office number? “Hi, Bobby. How did you know where I was?”

“I just got off the phone with Uncle Rich, and he told me about his new hire.”

Uncle?
“Mr. Haverty… I mean, Rich is your uncle? But your last name isn’t Haverty.”

He laughed. “Yeah, he’s my mom’s brother. We work for the same firm. When he told me about you, I realized I never told you where I work.”

“Do I want to know what he said?”

“He told me there was a new hire I should… get to know. When I asked him what her name was and he said Faith, I knew it was you. I mean how many Faiths are new accountants in Rochester?”

“Does he always try to play matchmaker? Did you tell him you knew me?”

“Yes and yes. I told him we went to high school together and that I saw you before I left the country. Then he transferred me to you. Small world, right?”

“I’d say. Are you still away?” I asked.

“I’m sitting at JFK waiting for my connection to Rochester. Want to get together for a drink later? I can tell you all about my trip.”

Bobby was such a nice guy. Lisa’s face popped into my head and gave me an idea. “I can’t tonight—I have a date—but what are you doing Friday night?”

“I don’t have plans for Friday. Who’s the lucky guy, or do I even have to ask?”

“It’s Ryker. How about we all get together on Friday?”

“I figured it was him. Yeah, Friday sounds like fun. I’ll be in the office tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll see you. You sound great, and congratulations on the new job. I’m happy for you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He hung up.

Lisa popped her head in. “I’m going to grab some coffee. Do you want one?”

My wheels were turning. “Yeah, an iced non-fat latte would be great, thanks. What are you doing Friday night?”

She scrunched her brows and then her eyes widened. “Why?”

“Want to come out with us?”

“Who is ‘us’?” Her skeptical tone said it all.

“Me, Ryker, Tyf, Max, you, and Bobby.”

“Bobby?”

It dawned on me that maybe he went by Bob at the office. “Bob Jennings.”

Lisa’s eyebrows arched. “As in Mr. Haverty’s nephew Bob?”

“Yeah, he’s a friend of mine and a great guy.”

“Okay, sounds like a plan, I guess.”

Lisa left my office, and I settled into my work. I needed to make an appointment with a gynecologist. I texted Tyf to see who she saw, and she gave me her doctor’s information.

My mom popped into my head. I wondered what she would think of me dating Ryker. I decided to take a quick break so I could call the doctor and then call my mom. I hoped she would be happy for me.

“Hi, sweetie, I was just thinking about you.”

“Hi, Mom, how are you? How’s Dad?”

“Oh, we’re good. I was going to call you later. I didn’t want to bother you at work.”

“What’s up?” I asked.

“Your friend helped me with the groceries today, and we had a nice little chat.” My mom sounded different. She sounded almost giddy.

“What friend?”

“Ryker.”

Holy shit. Ryker had been there? I was getting nervous. “He’s actually the reason I was calling you. What did he say?”

“He’s a very nice boy.”

I almost laughed when she called him a boy, but I didn’t. I let her continue.

“He didn’t say too much. He helped me with the groceries. It’s nice to know that chivalry exists; I like him.”

“Yeah, me too. He’s a really good guy, and we like each other. He asked me to be his girlfriend, and I said yes.”

“Your voice tells me that you are happy, which makes me happy. The Morrisons have mentioned him before. I want you to be careful and protect yourself, if you know what I mean.”

Did she have a hidden camera somewhere? “Don’t worry, Mom, I’ve got it covered. I need to go, but thanks for talking. Tell Dad I said hi.”

“Bye, sweetheart. I hope we see you soon. Bring Ryker with you.”

“Okay. Love you.”

I clicked my phone off and stared at it. Was it wrong to miss someone after just seeing him, especially when I knew that I would see him soon? I didn’t care. I did miss him, so I texted Ryker.

Me:
Hi

Ryker
:
Hey Dude

I laughed.

Me:
I miss you

Ryker:
I miss you too. Thai okay?

Me:
For dinner? Yes. Pad Thai for me and no tofu
.

Ryker:
Great. I’ll order and see you soon.

Me
:
Okay. And Ryker?

Ryker
:
Yeah?

Me
:
Don’t call me Dude.

I giggled and threw the phone in my purse.

Walking out of my building and seeing Ryker leaning against his car was the ultimate. His jeans hung low under his black T-shirt. Perfection. I jogged down the concrete stairs, crossed the sidewalk, and was quickly in his arms.

“Hey there. Are you happy to see me?”

I leaned back and looked at his gorgeous face. “Something like that.”

He spun us around so I was leaning on the door. My hands rested on his biceps and his went to my hips. “I can’t wait to get you back to my place.”

Everything was happening so quickly. Just a few days ago, we couldn’t stand each other. Well, that wasn’t totally true. I’d always cared for him.

“Let’s go then.” My hand went to the door handle behind me, but he stopped me.

“Wait.” His voice was low and soft.

“What?”

“This.” His hands rose to the sides of my head.

He tilted my head back and kissed my cheek, then my other cheek. His breath was warm on my face as he kissed my forehead. I looked at him through my lashes. He brought his mouth to mine and gently kissed me. My insides melted, my mind drifted, and my heart filled.

He pulled his lips from mine. “Okay. I’m ready now.”

The door opened, and I scooted in.

Once he was in the car, he looked at me. “You ready?”

I wasn’t sure what he was referring to, but with Ryker, I was ready for anything.

The streets were full with people rushing home from work. Ryker rolled the windows down, and the warm breeze blew my hair off my face. I laid my head back and looked out the window. Kids were playing in yards and running through sprinklers. We passed a small park where a youth soccer game was about to start. I smiled and was about to comment on how cute the kids looked in their uniforms when I saw the look on Ryker’s face. He looked sad.

My hand went to his. “Hey. Are you okay?”

He shrugged one shoulder. “Jimmy was going to start soccer a week after he passed away. I was supposed to be the assistant coach. He never got the chance.”

“I’m sorry, Ryker.” I felt horrible for him.

“Yeah, me too. Jimmy was a natural. The way he dribbled the ball, and his awareness of other players was amazing for a kid his age. Hell, it was amazing for an older kid. Jimmy had game, that’s for sure.”

Ryker pulled into the parking lot of Paddy’s Thai and told me he’d be right back. While he was gone, I leaned over and looked at Jimmy’s picture. He really was cute. It was a typical school picture with a boring blue background, but his smile lit it up. A tear escaped my eye, and before I could swipe it away, Ryker opened his door and slid in. I straightened in my seat and took the bag from him.