Falling for Mr. Wright

by Robyn Neeley

  Sarah glanced over at Ryan who didn’t seem to be fazed by the news. “Congratulations, to you both.” He raised his glass. “Cheers.”

  “Thank you,” Melanie said and took a sip of her water.

  Jeff reached over and patted her belly. “We’ve got a future football player incubating in there.”

  “Is it a boy?” Ryan asked.

  Jeff nodded.

  “Oh, honey. We don’t know the sex yet.”

  “Yeah, but we both ate red meat the whole time we were trying to get pregnant.”

  Sarah shot Melanie a quizzical look.

  “Jeff’s mother swears it worked for her.” She turned to her husband. “Honey, it’s probably an old wives’ tale.”

  Sarah downed the rest of her glass. Oh, Ryan. Anyone who would choose this guy over you was never worth your time.

  Before the night was over, she’d make sure he knew that.

  A server set a beautifully bright salad in front of Sarah as the dining portion of the evening began. After an hour seated next to the couple, Sarah confidently stood behind her earlier thought about Jeff not being the smartest bulb, even switched on.

  How did he get into this academy? His family probably had money. Sarah was starting to feel less intimidated the more the night went on.

  Though she tried to engage in small talk, Melanie didn’t seem to have any interest in having much of a conversation with the woman Ryan had brought to the gala.

  Needless to say, Sarah was thankful when they were finished with their main courses and Melanie got up to begin the awards ceremony before dessert.

  Ryan’s ex-fiancée was just as Sarah had imagined—annoyingly cheery, yet poised. She made a few introductory remarks, then launched into the long history of the award and shared some of Logan’s accomplishments.

  Sarah couldn’t help feel both excitement and pride. Sure, she knew about Logan’s achievements, mainly from his impressive bio and the many industry awards hanging up in his office, but being recognized by his school and peers was certainly a special moment. She wished he could have been here for it.

  Melanie did a nice job, sharing a cute story about how Logan tutored her in algebra class and encouraged her to get up the nerve to ask the senior quarterback out.

  Sarah glanced over at Ryan, who sat with what she knew was a forced smile. She leaned in, hoping to derail the trip down memory lane. “So, Mr. Quarterback, it’s Logan’s fault that you and Melanie got together.”

  “Yep.”

  “I wouldn’t blame you if you took the award for yourself and ran.”

  That got a hearty chuckle as Melanie introduced Ryan to come up and accept the award on Logan’s behalf.

  Sarah watched as her friend took the stage.

  “Thanks, Melanie.” Ryan adjusted the gooseneck microphone, bringing it up to his considerable height. “Being a perfectionist, Logan had his remarks done earlier in the week. When he showed me what he’d written, I teased him that he didn’t lead with the infamous skinny-dipping incident in the pool that half of table eight took part in.”

  That got a huge laugh from the crowd, and someone at the table called out that she was pleading the Fifth.

  Ryan continued. “In Logan’s remarks, he thanked his teachers for encouraging, challenging, and inspiring him. He thanked his parents, too, for their love and support.” He pointed up to the ceiling. “I’m sure Mr. Scott is celebrating right now—hopefully with a nice bottle of Scotch.

  “What Logan wouldn’t have said, but what I can say as his best friend, is that this place and many of you in the room made a huge impression on him. It’s the time he spent here that carried him and sparked his drive to not only be an architect, but to make a difference in the materials being used to design corporate offices. Logan is…”

  Ryan made eye contact with Sarah. “He’s the right man.” After a pregnant pause, leaving Sarah holding her breath, he broke eye contact. “He’s the right man for this award. Thank you on his behalf.”

  Sarah joined the audience in clapping. “That was beautiful,” she said as Ryan returned to his seat and set the award on the table.

  Melanie closed out the ceremony by telling the crowd to enjoy their desserts, continue to support the silent auction going on in the next room, and to get ready to hit the dance floor. She returned to her seat and turned her attention to Ryan. “Good job, Ryan. I’m sorry Logan wasn’t here to hear your kind words.”

  “Thanks.” Ryan nodded and dug into his strawberry cheesecake. “I’m proud of him.”

  “I always knew you’d be working for him one day,” Melanie said.

  What the hell was that supposed to mean? Sarah set down her flute. She knew a slight when she heard one. “As a matter of fact, Logan all but begged Ryan to come work for him. Ryan is the right man—the only man—to put NPH Designs on the map as the leading eco-friendly architectural design firm in North America. There’s no other architect in this country that can do it, and Logan knew it when he hired him.”

  She went on because someone needed to put this snob in her place. “Ryan’s designs are not only breathtaking but are going to revolutionize best practices for sustainable office space, reducing the commercial carbon footprint.”

  Melanie lifted her chin. “I’m sure he’s made a huge contribution to NPH Designs.”

  “He has,” Sarah continued, feeling an overwhelming need to stand up for her friend. “Maybe one day, he’ll be kind enough to consult private school administration on ways to green their lavish cafeterias and classrooms without compromising tradition. I’m sure the dead men in these halls would agree that it’s high time to be responsible.”

  As if on cue, a loud song boomed from the DJ’s speakers. Ryan stood. “Sarah, would you like to dance?”

  “Yes. I’d love to.”

  Sarah took Ryan’s hand, flashing a phony smile in Melanie’s direction. No ex was going to make her favorite architect feel second to his best friend—not on her watch.

  Chapter Seven

  Holy fuck.

  What had just happened?

  Ryan led Sarah to the middle of the now-crowded dance floor, keeping ahold of her as they started to move to the fast song.

  What she’d done back there, sticking up for him like she had, was pretty hot, and he had no interest—or ability—to remove his hands from her body. Not yet. It might have been the champagne talking, but she’d clearly been ready to rumble, and he found that damn sexy.

  He could’ve handled the situation himself, but as they moved to the music, their bodies in sync, he couldn’t help but feel a little hope. Had she meant everything she’d said?

  Sarah raised her hands over her head and swayed her hips to the beat. When he finally let go of her waist, she laughed and spun around too fast, teetering on her high heels.

  On impulse, he reached back out and steadied her, just as the fast song ended and a slow one began. Perfect.

  Grinning, she slipped her arms around his neck. “Did you just save me from wiping out in front of all these people?”

  “It’s the least I can do.” He nodded in the direction of their table. “I owed you one for what you did back there.”

  She frowned. “Melanie is…”

  “A little much. I know.”

  “I’m just surprised. I mean, I know we only hang out at work, but I could never see you married to someone who is obviously materialistic and high-maintenance, not to mention petty beyond belief. To tell you she was pregnant right when we sat down…” She shook her head, a look of disgust on her face. “Who does that? I don’t see you two together. Now, I could see you with someone like—”

  “You,” he blurted out.

  “Me?” She unwrapped her arms from his neck, her eyebrows furrowed.

  His heart stopped. Nice going, moron. Fix this now or it’s going to be awkward for the rest of the night. He circumvented any further embarrassment by taking her hand and placing it in his, swaying her to the music. “I meant, we seem to hav
e a lot in common, and I would probably be better suited to someone I can relate to.”

  Smooth. He ought to kick his own ass. Worse, Sarah didn’t seem to be buying it.

  “Someone like you, is all I’m saying,” he reiterated. “Not you. You like Logan.”

  “Yeah,” she said softly.

  “And I’m not looking for a relationship,” he added for good measure.

  “Right. Of course.” She gave him a half smile. “Mr. Fifth-Quarter Experience.”

  “Exactly, fifth quarter, and it’s over.” He needed to change the subject. “So, see that woman over there?” He nodded to the couple dancing not too far away from them. “That’s Jen Harper. Logan made me ask her dorky best friend to prom so that Jen would go with him.” He spun Sarah around and nodded to the couple on the other side. “And that’s Suzy Donaldson, the dorky best friend, who at the time had frizzy brown hair, acne, and bad breath, that I lost—”

  “Your virginity to?” Sarah asked, eyes widening.

  “No. My bike. We played cards at the prom after-party at Logan’s house while Logan and Jen disappeared upstairs. In addition to an extensive bug collection, Suzy had an older brother who taught her how to play an impressive game of poker.”

  He watched Sarah take in Suzy, who’d grown up to be quite a stunner with her sleek brown hair and hourglass figure. “Maybe she could be your Mrs. Wright?” she asked, a tiny frown marring her forehead.

  He liked that she wasn’t a fan of the idea.

  “Nah, I think if I were looking for a relationship, I’d be more of a friends-to-lovers kind of guy.” He spun her around before he said anything more, and sent them back down the previous uncomfortable path.

  “I think that’s how the best relationships start.” She lifted his hand and twirled, stepping on his foot. “Oh my God, I am so sorry.” She gasped, turning an adorable shade of pink. “You’ll have to commiserate with Paul when we get back to NPH. I stepped on his toes at last year’s holiday party, but I ducked out before I could do any real damage.”

  “I remember.” His heart swelled at that memory. It was the first time that he’d allowed himself to wonder what it would be like if Sarah was more than a friend. “I found you sound asleep in Logan’s office.”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah.” He swayed her to the music. “You were all snug in his chair, with your heels kicked off. I didn’t want to wake you, so I grabbed the red throw he keeps over his couch.”

  Sarah stopped dancing. “You were the one who covered me?”

  “Guilty.”

  She frowned again. “Oh…”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No. I just assumed Logan was the one who did it. I thought it was sweet.”

  Disappointment gave him a smack back into reality. Well, hell. She probably would have rather gone on believing it was Logan. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “That I spilled the beans that it was me and not him. I’m sure he would have if he’d found you asleep.” Ryan touched her cheek with the back of his hand, wishing the situation were different. That she wanted him, not his best friend.

  Maybe it was for the best, though. He’d meant what he’d said on stage—Logan was the better man. What could Ryan give her, really? As much as he wanted her, he’d made no attempt to hide his lack of interest in commitment. Sarah deserved better.

  She gave him a shaky smile. “It was nice of you to do. Thanks for looking out for me. You seem to do that a lot.”

  Did he? “As your coach, it’s my job.” There. That should put them back where they should be. Friends. Nothing more, nothing less.

  He brought her in close, resting one hand on the small of her back. Even if it couldn’t go anywhere, ever, he’d thoroughly enjoy the closeness of her body while he had her in his arms.

  “Oh, I get it.” She laughed. “Hold the woman with the two left feet closer to protect your own. Smart move.”

  “Yeah.”

  Smart move, indeed. Protecting his heart was another matter.

  …

  “Wow, I can’t believe this weather.” Sarah followed Ryan over to the terrace railing, breathing in the fresh night air. The temperature had dropped, but wasn’t bitter cold.

  “Are you cold? I could go get our coats.” Ryan motioned for the glass doors.

  “No. I’ll be fine.” She stepped closer toward the railing, taking in the enormous football field. “I’m sorry for what happened earlier at dinner. I probably just made things super uncomfortable—more uncomfortable than they already were, I mean.”

  “Don’t be sorry.” Ryan came up beside her, propping his elbows on the railing and leaning in. “I liked seeing feisty Sarah in action.”

  “Ha. You should see me when the FedEx guy arrives late on a Friday afternoon.”

  “I’m sure that’s a sight.”

  She gave him a half smile. “I meant what I said, by the way. I’ve got your back. I mean, you’re my friend and now my love coach. I need to look out for you.”

  “Right. The coaching thing. How am I doing?”

  “On a scale of one to ten, I’d give you a solid four,” she teased.

  Ryan pretended to push a dagger straight through his heart. “That hurts.”

  She reached over and moved his hand from his heart, a pleasurable tingle shooting straight up her arm. Damn. She might need another excuse to touch him so she could feel it again. “Don’t worry. I’ll still drop off and pick up your dry cleaning.”

  “Pressed pants?”

  “Of course.” She laughed and glanced over at the school, imagining Melanie and Jeff doing the Electric Slide on the dance floor, happy they were missing it. As far as she was concerned, they could stay out here for the rest of the party.

  Then she could protect her friend from rude jabs by beauty queen has-beens. What could Ryan have possibly seen in a woman who was quick to throw in his face that he worked under his best friend from high school? “Do you ever feel second to Logan?”

  He held her gaze. “Sometimes.”

  A detectable sadness in his voice set Sarah’s blood on fire, and she had a good mind to march back into the ballroom and tell Melanie off a second time. Ryan was the nicest, funniest, and most interesting guy she’d met since she’d moved to New York City. He had everything going for him, and that woman had no right to shame him.

  Her heart broke for him. No wonder he was a commitment-phobe. “You should never feel second to Logan. You are an amazing architect. Logan talks about you all the time to our potential clients, not to mention how many times he brings you up to senior staff. He really looks up to you, and honestly, I don’t think he could run NPH Designs without you.”

  Ryan straightened, shoving his hands in his pockets. “His friendship means everything to me.”

  That declaration made her smile. She knew the two were high school friends, but this weekend was opening her eyes to just how tight they were. “Your speech was really touching.”

  “Thank you.”

  If they were sharing insecurities tonight when it came to how they stacked up to Logan, she might as well admit hers. “I just wonder…”

  “What?’

  “Do you think I’m good enough for Logan?”

  Ryan frowned. “How could you even ask that?”

  “You know him best,” she pressed. “Do you think I’m someone he’d want to be in a relationship with? Someone worthy of his love? I mean…” She lowered her head, running her hands over her short party dress she’d picked up on clearance, a far cry from all the couture she’d seen this evening. “I’m not like any of those women inside.”

  Ryan reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “And that’s a good thing. I think any man would be lucky to have you.”

  Sarah’s cheeks warmed. “Well, geez, Coach Wright. You sure know how to flatter your pupil.”

  “You mean my player.”

  “Heads up, Wright,” a male voice called out behind them.r />
  Ryan turned and caught the football that sailed toward them. “It’s good to see you, Coach.”

  A middle-aged man and an adorably round woman approached, warm smiles on their faces. After hugs and pats on the back were exchanged, he introduced her. “This is Sarah. Sarah, I’d like you to meet Coach Sullivan and his wife, Connie.”

  Sarah shook hands with both, complimenting Connie on her pretty royal-blue gown. While Ryan caught up with his former coach, Sarah tried to make small talk with the woman.

  “Jack just loves seeing his former players,” Connie said.

  “Is he still coaching?”

  “Oh, yes.” She nodded. “But he’s never had the season that he had Ryan’s senior year.”

  “Were they really good?”

  “They sure were.” Connie walked over to the terrace and pointed to the field’s huge scoreboard that brightly displayed Westbrook Academy Cardinals. “That would say ‘State Champs’ if Ryan hadn’t broken his arm toward the end of the season. Jack was sure of it.”

  “Ryan broke his arm?” Her stomach twisted at the thought. She may have grown up on a farm, but broken bones still hurt. “Did he break it playing football?”

  That got a laugh from Connie. “You could say that.” She leaned in close, a twinkle in her eye. “Ryan and his teammates were practicing when they spotted a kitten stranded at the very top of that giant oak tree to the right of the field.”

  Sarah looked out across the field. With the lights, she could see the trees off in the distance behind it.

  “Ryan, bless his heart, climbed up to rescue the poor thing and slipped on a branch coming down. He’s lucky he only broke his arm.”

  “Oh my God.” Sarah’s heart couldn’t help but squeeze, picturing a young Ryan scaling a tree in front of the entire football team just to rescue a scared cat. She’d always known he was a stand-up guy. Tonight was proving it. “And the kitten?”

  “He’d held on to it the whole way down. We’re still not sure how he didn’t crush the poor thing. They were inseparable for the rest of the year.” She winked. “That’s a special man you’ve got there. Hold on to him.”