He looked from her kiss swollen lips to the blush on her cheeks to her half-lidded eyes.
“I keep thinking I'm going to get used to that, and I'm wrong each time. Happily, I might add.”
“Get used to what?” she asked breathlessly. He loved hearing her like that. He wanted to make her sound that way all the time.
“Having the best kiss of my life,” he said honestly. Her eyes flared and before she could argue (because she always had to argue), he kissed her again. Deep, slow, and long.
This time when he ended it, she had her coffee cup on the porch and her hands threaded through his hair. Yeah, passion was never going to be a problem for them.
His phone chirped and he dug it out of his back pocket.
“Alexa is on her way. They'll be here in about ten minutes.”
“Okay,” she said, her eyes skating over his face like she was committing it to memory.
“What do you see?” he asked, teasing lightly.
“A good man,” she whispered more to herself than to him. Her eyes connected to his and she smiled warmly. “I like you.”
Sway couldn't help it. They wouldn't be able to make-out for two weeks. So he crushed her body against his and kissed her crazy for nine glorious minutes.
Then he deep breathed for sixty seconds on Tawny's front porch as he waited for Miles to show up. Ryan waved her fingers at him, a ridiculously happy light in her eyes before she went back inside her house.
Yep, he was blessed with the life of a better man.
Chapter 20
Parachute
Ryan didn't watch from her window like an old bitty when she heard voices in the driveway next door. She held herself in her office chair and listened intently until the sounds died away and then she resumed her work.
She replied to her emails, returned phone calls, paid some bills, and had just begun to look over Annie's recently-delivered edits when Clive came home.
The big dog crashed through the house. He ran the length of the main floor, bounded all over the furniture, ran upstairs, and back downstairs. Ryan waited for him to stop at her feet before she gave him cuddles and clipped the leash on his collar.
“All right, pony, let's take a walk.”
The exercise would be good for her too. A definite distraction from her anxious thoughts. She had no idea when she'd meet Miles. It could be any second, or days from now. And she'd gone a week without working out. If Tawny knew, she'd be in trouble.
A vision of the trainer coming at her with a sports bra held ready like a weapon flashed through her mind, and Ryan cringed.
She pulled the door closed behind her as Clive strained at the end of his leash. Glancing surreptitiously in the direction of Tawny's house, she led Clive the opposite direction. No one was outside anyway. They were probably getting settled.
Which was good. No, it was great. The way that Sway had talked about the difficulty in being away from Miles had nearly broke her heart. She couldn't put herself in his shoes, she'd never had kids. But she was getting to know Sway. And anything that made him hurt, made her hurt in a new place. Not really a new place, it was in the area where her stomach connected to her esophagus. But it was a new hurt. Not really a burn or a stab, just this general discomfort. Like a tightening or a twist.
And how Sway talked about what they'd be doing in the future, so casually, so unconcerned with what it meant or implied. It should make her cautious. A week ago it would have. But she was still learning and still growing. Part of that was taking chances. She could very easily look into the future and see the probability that what she and Sway had might not last. It might fizzle and die before it ever really got its wings under it. But she also knew that she would be a better person after all of this. She could sense it. Already, in their fledgling friendship, he was bringing out the better parts of her. The parts she'd been saving for later. Later was now.
She also suspected that Sway was learning more about himself during this. His constant state of exploration was a benefit to them both. She was aware that her grounded view point was something he craved and demanded. As if his ideas could only become real after he'd shared them with her.
Ryan wondered about all of it. She had no idea why it felt like they were so easily connected when so much of their lives looked vastly different. Maybe she'd have more insight into that when—if—she got to meet his grandparents.
Either way, she wasn't afraid of the outcome. Because it was going to be beautiful.
***
Sway ran a shaky hand through his hair and took a deep breath.
What the hell had he been thinking when he'd agreed to two weeks with Miles? They'd never spent more than a few hours together. Well, it had been a few hours. Miles had explored Tawny's house, they'd unpacked his clothes in the guest room, messed around with some of Tawny's weights in the basement. Now, Miles was trying to count the Sea Monkeys while Sway tried to figure out what to do next.
What if Miles was already bored? What if he called his mom and said he wanted to go home?
“Are you hungry or anything?” he asked, walking towards the kitchen.
“No.”
Sway nodded and slowed to a stop. “Okay, are you tired?”
“No.”
“You wanna watch TV?” Sway asked.
Miles glanced at the TV and back to Sway. “I'm not allowed to watch TV if it's a nice day outside.”
“Right,” Sway said under his breath. “Do you want to go outside?”
“Okay,” Miles agreed easily.
Sway had no idea what they were going to do. Stand in the middle of the yard until it was dark was all he could figure.
But then the sun got a little brighter as Ryan and Clive rounded the corner and came walking by them.
He lifted his chin and smiled. “Hey.”
“Hey,” she said back, smiling.
Clive wagged his tail and pulled in Sway's direction.
“Hey, big guy,” Sway greeted the dog, meeting them on the sidewalk. Miles shadowed him, hesitantly hanging back. Sway rubbed the big dog's head and waved Miles over. “You wanna pet him? He's really friendly.”
Miles looked up at Ryan, who smiled encouragingly, before he stretched out a small hand. Clive took over from there, pressing his head into Miles' hand and wagging enthusiastically. Miles giggled. The sound rippling through Sway like a happy piano.
“What's his name?” Miles asked.
Ryan crouched down and patted the big dog on his side. “His name is Clive.”
“Clive?” Miles looked skeptical. “That's a weird name for a dog?”
“Is it?” Ryan asked. “Maybe I'm just a weirdo. I named him after one of my favorite authors.”
Sway hadn't heard this story yet, so he jumped right in. “Who's that?”
She turned her brown eyes on him. “C. S. Lewis.”
That made so much sense. No wonder she had gotten along with Zelda so easily.
“Miles, this is Ryan. She lives right next door.” Sway gestured to the house behind them. Miles took another look at Ryan. “And she's one of my best friends,” Sway added. Ryan's eyes bounced over to him before going back to Miles.
“Hi, Miles.” She smiled that amazingly disarming smile right at his boy and he could have kissed her.
“Hi,” Miles replied, a shy smile tugging at his lips. He focused on Clive again. “We can't have a dog. My dad is allergic to them.”
Sway tried to remain unaffected, but his jaw clenched slightly. It was always hard to hear Miles talk about James as his dad. Even though he was the only father Miles had ever really known. And James was a great guy. Sway had no reason to argue about something as petty as that.
“Well, you can come and visit Clive whenever you want,” Ryan was offering. “He loves attention. He doesn't think he gets enough.”
“Really?” Miles asked, excitement lacing his voice.
Ryan grinned. “Of course.” She stood up. “But I should get him inside for some water right now.
” Her eyes flicked up to Sway. “You know, I don't think your dad knows about Launch...”
Miles' entire body turned to Sway at once, his eyes wide. “You don't know about Launch?”
Sway shook his head slowly, wondering what Ryan had just entered him into.
“We have to go!” Miles declared adamantly.
Ryan chuckled and Sway darted her a dirty look to which she responded with a wink. Before Sway could counter, Miles was bobbing up and down in front of him.
“Can we do that today?”
“Sure, bud,” Sway agreed, causing Miles to jump up and down and Clive to bark.
“You guys have fun,” Ryan said, already leading Clive away. “I'll catch you later.”
Sway wanted to invite her to come along. It was the least she could do since she had basically singed him up for whatever was coming next.
“Oh! This'll be so fun!” Miles cried, racing back up the porch steps. “I'm gonna text mom and tell her!”
Sway bit his tongue. He didn't really agree with giving a seven year old a phone. But Alexa swore it was for emergencies only. He didn't have internet access or games on it. He could pretty much text or call four people. And when he was at home, he had to turn it over to her.
It sounded all nice, but it was still weird for Sway. Especially since he couldn't exactly say anything about it. He'd had zero input in the raising of his own son.
Not that he was bitter.
He wasn't.
He was just... regretful.
“Okay, bud,” he said, following him into the house. “Then you're gonna have to tell me what this place is all about.
***
Ryan smiled to herself as she turned the desk lamp on in her office. It was starting to get dark and the guys weren't back yet.
The guys.
Maybe one day they'd be her guys.
She'd been hitting it pretty hard on the edits since her walk with Clive. Apparently Annie had reverted to her “slash and burn” policy on this manuscript. She was not happy about any of it. Well, most of it... at least forty percent. Ryan would have to rewrite entire sections. Maybe she'd kill off Annie's favorite character just to spite her.
Nah.
That would just be mean.
But funny.
Either way, Ryan had a lot of work this week. It was good she'd have a constructive distraction. Otherwise she'd be tempted to hang out with the guys all week.
There it was again: the guys.
When she'd come around the corner and saw them both standing in Tawny's front yard, she almost ran to them. All anxiety she had been feeling about meeting Miles went away. He was seven and looked like a mini-version of Sway. So he was obviously way too adorable for his own good.
She wanted to ask him a million questions about his likes and dislikes. She wanted to make him cupcakes and ask him what books he was into and way too many personal questions.
“Yikes,” she said aloud. “I'm like a kidnapper in training. Candy in my van anyone?”
Clive wagged his tail, as he did when she said anything out loud just in case it meant he'd be getting fed or get to go outside.
Maybe a front porch break would do them both good.
With the sun setting, it was brisk again outside. So she wrapped her ratty sweater around her and settled onto the porch steps. Sway was right, she did need actual furniture out here. Maybe a table too. And some flowers. Not real ones. She'd kill real ones in a week. Some of those plastic ones that looked real. Did they sell those at Lowe's?
Headlights swung across her yard as Sway's Lexus pulled into the driveway. Moments later, a boy came flying out from under the closing garage door with Sway yelling something behind him.
Miles ran straight for Clive who was already trotting toward his new buddy.
Sway came out of the garage, an annoyed glare on his face.
“Miles.”
Miles' head whipped up and his eyes went round.
“Do not run underneath the closing garage door again.”
“Okay,” Miles said softly.
Ryan noted the hard line of Sway's jaw and his tense stance. Her lips pulled up slightly one side. Maybe she shouldn't be so attracted to him being a dad. But she totally was.
Sway's eyes flicked in her direction and he softened his expression. Miles patted Clive hesitantly on the head and he looked at his dad. Sway took a deep breath and nodded at Miles. Crisis averted.
“How was Launch?” Ryan asked, changing the subject.
“It was great!” Miles said, his face lighting up. Clive ran up the porch and got his ball, which he brought back to Miles.
“Looks like you've made a friend,” Ryan said, nodding at the dog.
“Does he want me to throw it?” Miles asked, taking the slimy ball from the dog's mouth and looking at it in confusion.
“Yep, just not in the street, okay?” Ryan said, watching Sway stride across the yard and take a seat beside her on the porch. She bumped him with her shoulder. “How was Launch for you?”
Sway shook his head at her, a smile being forced away. “You could have told me it was a trampoline park.”
“Nah,” she said. “It would have ruined the surprise.”
Sway chuckled and stretched his legs out in front of him. “I'm going to be so sore tomorrow. I don't think I have been on a trampoline since Becca Kamlowsky's sixteenth birthday party.”
“But it was fun, right?” Ryan asked.
“Yeah,” Sway concurred, watching his boy play with Clive. “It was very fun.” He turned to her, his eyes skating over her face. “I missed you today.”
“Lies,” she scoffed to which he chuckled.
“Hey, Ryan?” Miles asked as he walked close towards them.
“What's up, bub?”
“I have a joke for you.” The sparkle in his blue eyes made him look exactly like his father. She glanced at Sway, who was trying unsuccessfully to look innocent.
“Fire away,” she said.
“How many introverts does it take to change a light bulb?” Miles asked.
Ryan narrowed her eyes. “I don't know. How many?”
Miles's eyebrows rose. “Just one. Why does it have to be a group activity?”
Ryan's mouth fell open at the same time as Sway burst out laughing and Miles giggled. Ryan looked at Sway.
“Did you put him up to that?”
“He likes to tell jokes,” Sway said with a shrug before he laughed even harder at her affronted expression. Throwing an arm around her shoulders, he hugged her to his side. “You liked it, don't lie.”
“You two are full of shenanigans, aren't you?” she asked, winking at Miles.
Miles nodded before returning to his game of catch with Clive.
They remained in the front yard for a little while longer until Miles started to talk about being hungry. Then they departed ways, promising to see each other tomorrow.
Ryan went back to work, and the boys went home.
As she stared at the blurry words on her laptop screen, she considered just going to bed. She was not into this moment the way that would make Annie happy.
Her phone chirped beside her and she picked it up quickly.
Sway: It's late. Why are your lights still on?
Ryan: I was working. Why are you still up?
Sway: Thanks for today's tip. It went really well. You should come with us next time.
Ryan: Maybe I will :) You didn't answer my question. Why are you still awake?
Sway: Come to your front door.
Ryan frowned at the last text, but rose and went to the door as instructed. She pulled it open to reveal Sway standing there. He looked tired, but incredibly determined.
“What are you—” she was cut off when Sway curled one hand around her waist, the other cupped the side of her face, and his mouth crashed into hers.
He kissed her fast, deep, and desperate. Stepping back slightly, he ran a thumb over her lower lip.
“I really just wanted a kiss go
odnight.”
Ryan's eyes fluttered open. “Good—goodnight.”
He pressed one more kiss to her lips and she could feel him smiling against her mouth.
“See you in the morning.”
“Yep. Morning,” she said, having gone nearly catatonic.
Sway chuckled and then closed the door as he left. Ryan took a deep breath and locked it. She rested her frame against the solid wood for a minute as she waited for her limbs to work normally again since Sway had turned them to jelly.
She replayed that kiss over and over again in her head as she got ready for bed. Imagining what it would be like to have that kiss as her goodnight kiss every night for the rest of her life.
She bumped her head on the shelf in the bathroom as she brushed her teeth and over-corrected which led her to tripping over the wastebasket and sitting down hard on the edge of the tub. She was lucky she hadn't jabbed the toothbrush down the back of her throat and killed herself.
She went upstairs and crawled into her unmade pile of covers. Then proceeded to press every wrong button on the remote for her ceiling fan light. It was whipping the air in her room to a froth before she finally got everything shut off.
She rolled over to plug in her phone and accidentally knocked a book off of the nightstand. She reached to grab it and actually fell right out of the bed.
Fell. Right. Out.
At this point, she was laughing uncontrollably. So she laughed it out right there on her bedroom floor. Then she plugged in her charger and sent one last text.
Ryan: Thanks for kissing me stupid. I owe you.
Sway: :*
Chapter 21
Slide
“It's not like I said you sucked at all things—”
“But I do. I do suck at all things,” Ryan interrupted Annie.
The sharp sigh on the other end of the phone made Ryan snort.
“What I said was, the scene needs to be reworked because it was obvious you were phoning it in.” Annie was not amused at Ryan's ability to backtalk.
“Well maybe I'll get super drunk and rewrite it,” Ryan replied dryly. “It worked for Hemingway.”
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