He leaned back in the leather chair and began to consider Quinn.
Another knock. He didn’t need someone bugging him right now. He crossed the room to the door. He swung it open, expecting to see Mary again.
The face staring back at him, though, was nearly identical to his own. Colin.
Ryan stood, dumbfounded, staring into the dark blue eyes of his older brother. They hadn’t seen each other in years. Not since Dad’s funeral. What the hell is he doing here now?
Colin opened his arms wide. “Is that how you welcome family? Come here.” He pulled Ryan into a bear hug.
Ryan eased back and studied Colin. He’d filled out some, but he looked well. “Have you been to see Mom yet?”
Colin shoved his hands into the pockets of his faded jeans. “No, I hoped you could help with that. I don’t think I can face the wrath of Eileen O’Leary without reinforcements.”
“Ah, shit. That’s a hell of a thing to lay on me. She’ll be ticked at me now, too, since you came here first.” Ryan blew out a breath. Their mother would be hurt he came to Ryan first, but she’d gush all over Colin for days. Part of her blamed Ryan for Colin running out. Somehow she could never see Colin for who he was. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
Colin threw an arm over Ryan’s shoulder. “Thanks. I knew I could count on you. Tell me what’s been going on. Any family gossip I need to catch up on before I walk into the house?”
As they headed out to Ryan’s car, Ryan’s brain scanned everything that had happened to their family since Colin disappeared. He knew Colin called their mother, but he had no idea what she’d told Colin and what she hadn’t. He decided to keep it light and let the rest of the family tell him whatever they wanted.
CHAPTER 3
Ryan pulled up in front of his mom’s house and glanced at the clock. If he was lucky, the house would be empty. He could install the garbage disposal he’d promised and get back to work. The job itself shouldn’t take too long. His goal was to get back to O’Leary’s early enough to see Quinn. It was Friday and she’d be coming in with the other teachers, like clockwork.
He looked down the block. Of course luck wasn’t on his side; Moira’s car was there, which meant both Mom and Moira were inside.
He grabbed the box containing the disposal and his bag of tools, and raced up the front steps. Moira had the door open before he could use his key.
“I’m glad you’re here. Mom has been talking about this damn disposal for days.”
“I know. Who do you think gets the call before you?” He walked through his childhood home, noting the smell of dinner in the air. In the kitchen, he bent to kiss his mom on the cheek. “Hi, Mom. I told you I’d be here today. I’m just running a little late.”
“Oh, I wasn’t worried. I told you I’d call a serviceman.”
“And I told you I’d take care of it.” He eased over to the sink and set down his tools. Opening the cabinet, he saw that nothing had been removed. Probably for years. He unloaded two containers of dish soap, boxes of plastic bags, trash bags, four pairs of bright yellow rubber gloves, and some crap he couldn’t even identify. Then he scrubbed sticky scum from the bottom so he wouldn’t lay in it. Ten precious minutes later, the cabinet was empty and he could get to work.
The room quieted as soon as he pulled out his tools. Maybe it was his lucky day. The old disposal came out without a problem. As he unboxed the new one, Moira came into the room.
“Guess who I saw yesterday?”
Great. Not only was she not keeping Mom busy, she expected him to gossip.
When he didn’t respond, she continued, “Colleen Miller. You remember her, right? Her brother is best friends with Rory Reardan.”
Ryan grunted and hoped she’d get to the point.
“Rory is cousins with Norah, who just happens to be friends with Margaret, Cassie’s sister.”
While Moira rambled, he’d managed to get the new disposal in place. At the mention of Cassie’s name, he paused. Moira stopped.
“Well, aren’t you going to ask?”
“What?”
“What’s going on with Cassie?”
“Why bother? I figure you’re in here bugging me because whatever it is, you’re dying to tell it. I’m going to have to listen whether I want to or not.” He tightened the nuts in place and siliconed against leaks.
“She’s getting married.”
“Huh?” His voice echoed beneath the sink.
“Cassie is getting married.”
The words sank in and he waited to feel a reaction. Nothing.
“Well?”
He didn’t have to crawl out to know she was bouncing on her toes, looking for something.
“You have to say something. I have to send something back through the grapevine.”
He pulled out of the cabinet and said, “Congratulations?”
“I know you’re not still hung up on her. But what if she thinks you are? I have to be able to tell Colleen something that will get back to Cassie. As it is, it looks like you’ve been pining away for her. I couldn’t mention a girlfriend because you don’t tell us anything.”
I don’t tell you anything because you’re like a damn tabloid. Thoughts of Quinn entered his head, which was why he was in a hurry to finish his job. The last thing he needed was Moira catching wind of his interest in Quinn. “I have no girlfriend. Tell Cassie I wish her well.”
“She never was right for you.”
Not wanting to hear her tirade, he turned on the faucet and flipped the switch of the disposal. The noise effectively drowned out Moira. When he was sure it was operating right, he flipped the switch again. Machine and woman stopped at the same time. How he’d wished for a switch like that growing up.
Before Moira could rev herself up for round two, their mother walked in.
“Stew’s almost done. Go wash up, Ryan.”
He packed his tools back in his bag. “Sorry, I can’t stay, Mom. I have to get to the bar. Mary needs to get off early.”
“Always off to work. You’re worse than your father. Colin could help.”
“Colin probably needs time to settle in.” Ryan tried not to let his disgust show to his mother. Colin had never made his life easier. He kissed her on the cheek again. “I’ll see you Sunday for dinner.”
Moira followed him through the house. “Hey, Ry, one more thing.”
He turned.
“Have you talked to Griffin about the benefit?”
“Yeah, he didn’t know offhand if he had a ticket. He doesn’t keep track of that shit. He’ll call you if he has the invite.”
A slow smile spread across her face. “Thanks, Ry. You’re the best. I don’t know why Cassie thought she could do better than you.”
He shrugged. “Maybe having all the O’Learys poking their noses into her business constantly was a bit much.”
“We’re family. That’s what family does. You just need to find someone who wants a big family. I have friends,” she added with wide eyes.
“No, thanks. I’ll see you Sunday. Are you bringing a date?”
She snorted. “Are you kidding? After the grilling the last guy got, I don’t think I’ll bring anyone home until I’ve already eloped.”
“Can’t do that. It’d break Mom’s heart. See you later.”
He rushed back to his car. He’d have barely enough time to shower and change before going to the bar. He thought briefly about Cassie. He really was happy for her. She didn’t mesh well with his family. Hopefully she found someone who could make her the center of his universe.
By the time he walked into the bar, he figured he’d missed Quinn. He hadn’t counted on her sticking around after the majority of the teachers left. If she kept hanging out without the horde of teachers, she must like something about the place. He banked on it being him. Especially after their kiss. He should probably say something about the kiss, but what? I want to do it again?
He strolled over to the bar where she was sitting on a stoo
l. He stepped next to her, her soft scent grabbing him, and whispered in her ear, “Can’t get enough of me, can you?”
She jumped a little and then smirked. “I have a date.”
“Really? That’s two dates in one week. Both of them here.” Was she trying to send him a signal?
“Your bar is conveniently located. I don’t want any guy I meet on the Internet to know where I live. I learned my lesson there.”
So she wasn’t actively pushing other men in his face. “Is this one as bad as the last?”
“Who says my last date was bad?”
Her face remained calm, almost to the point of being unreadable, but her eyes gave her away. He leaned his elbows on the bar. “I watched the date. You couldn’t wait to get rid of the loser.”
She wrinkled her nose. “He wasn’t as bad as the one I didn’t bring here.”
“Internet dating is a bad idea. Everyone lies about who and what they are. You can’t believe anything.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not really good at meeting people. I can get to know them a little online. I hoped it would make me less awkward in person.”
“Awkward isn’t a word I’d use to describe you.”
“I don’t think I want to know how you’d describe me.”
Sexy, sweet, intriguing. No, she probably didn’t want to hear that description. At least not from him.
A man walked up on the other side of Quinn and tapped her shoulder. “Excuse me, are you Quinn?”
“Yes.”
Ryan left them to their introductions, but he already knew the date would end badly. One look at this guy and Ryan could tell he’d been drinking. He watched Quinn and her date from across the room. He knew Quinn was a smart woman. How could she not see this ass was a waste of her time?
It was time for him to leave for Twilight, and he’d only come in to see Quinn, but he wanted to watch this play out.
As he mingled with his usual customers, Ryan kept an eye on Quinn. Intelligence she had in abundance; people smarts, not so much. He didn’t need a degree in psychology to see that.
She shifted uncomfortably several times and kept tucking her hair behind her left ear. The guy was on his third whiskey and she had yet to ask for a drink. Quinn rose and carried her purse toward the bathroom. Ryan hoped she had enough sense to end the date. When five minutes passed and she hadn’t returned, Ryan went to find her.
In the shadowed hall outside his office and the bathrooms, Quinn stood quietly watching her table.
“What are you doing?” Ryan asked.
“I’m waiting.”
“For what?”
“For the loser to get the hint I’m not coming back.” Her dark hair barely skimmed her chin and it swayed with every slight movement of her head.
A quiet chuckle stuck in his throat. “Tell him to get lost.”
“It would be more trouble than it’s worth. He’ll get the hint.”
“What if he comes looking for you?”
Her eyebrows drew together. “Do you have a back door I can use?”
“He’s that bad, huh? I’ll tell him to leave.” He took a step forward, intent on making sure she never felt afraid in his bar.
Her smooth fingers wrapped around his forearm. “Please don’t. He’ll cause a scene and I’d never be able to show my face in here again.”
His skin warmed beneath her touch. He closed the small distance between them. “Why are you putting yourself through this?”
Her light brown eyes widened, and even in the dark hall her sincerity was plain. “Because I promised Indy I would go on at least five dates within the next two weeks. I need to step outside my comfort zone.”
She tugged her hand away and crossed her arms. Her eyes darted, as if keeping contact was a battle. Her voice lowered a fraction. “You don’t know how hard it is to find a normal date.”
“What makes you think that?” He pushed his palm against the wall next to her head and caught the soft, powdery scent of her perfume. Did it make him an ass that while she talked about dating other men, his thoughts focused on kissing her again?
She shifted and tucked her hair behind her ear. When she looked up again, her face had returned to the usual polite, impassive front. “Come on. I’m in here often enough to see you with all kinds of women. I’m not judging you, but you can’t compare picking the flavor of the week to dating.”
He didn’t address her comments. She was right—he liked women who required nothing from him but a good time. It wasn’t a concept she’d understand. She’d definitely require more. He hadn’t attempted anything more serious since Cassie. “So what’s your plan? Cast a wide net and see what you catch?”
She shrugged. “Indy said it’s all about numbers. I spent a bunch of money to join the stupid dating site. They guarantee I’ll meet someone special. It’s in my best interest to keep trying. Besides, I try to weed out the worst of the bunch.”
His burst of laughter made her jump, so he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Sweetheart, if you think you’re weeding out the bad ones, your radar is broken.”
Her lips pulled back, but it wasn’t quite a smile. “I was born without radar.”
She eased away from him to peer around the corner. Her date was still there, gulping another whiskey.
Ryan felt sorry for her. The men she chose weren’t right for her. He didn’t even know her well and he knew her choices sucked. Helping her didn’t make sense; he’d get nothing out of it, except for the chance to see her smile. It might be his best chance to show her he wasn’t all bad. Then maybe she’d give him a chance. “It’s lucky for you my radar is overdeveloped.”
“How does that make me lucky?”
He leaned close to her ear and inhaled her scent again. The feminine fragrance shot into his system and warmed his blood. “Because I’m the best wingman you’ll find.”
“Wingman?”
Ryan sighed. Had the woman spent years in a closet? “Keep meeting your dates here. I’ll let you know which ones are losers.”
Her mouth hung open slightly, like she had questions to ask, but she said nothing.
He poked her shoulder and pointed to the back exit. “There’s your escape.”
Tension left the set of her shoulders. “Thanks for listening and the quiet escape. I owe you one.”
“Go out to dinner with me.” Where the hell did that come from? She wasn’t ready to take him seriously yet. He’d agreed to be her friend. She wouldn’t be swayed easily.
Her nervous laughter was a relief. She nudged him with her elbow. “Thanks, but I think we’ve already covered that. I’m not looking to be this week’s flavor. Going out with you would be a colossal mistake.”
The thought of tasting her made him hard. He walked her to the door. He hadn’t thought in terms of a relationship in a long time, but hearing her call the possibility a mistake irritated him. How could she know what he wanted if he wasn’t even sure? “You’re probably right. It couldn’t hurt to ask.”
After she exited through the back, Ryan walked to the bar and told both the bartender and waitress to cut off Quinn’s date. He knew the man would look for more liquor once Ryan told him Quinn had left.
Ryan walked to the table and looked into the blood-red eyes of the date. Gritting his teeth, he managed, “Excuse me, sir.”
“What’ya want?”
Ryan inhaled and reminded himself he didn’t need another bar fight. Irritation battled courtesy. “I wanted to let you know your date left.”
The man heaved a deep sigh. “Bitch.”
Ryan stiffened and his hands flinched, but he remained silent.
“They’re all bitches, ain’t they? Can’t even get a decent night out, much less get one to spread her legs.”
Ryan couldn’t believe Quinn thought this had even the remote possibility of being a good date. No one was that good an actor, not even online. Ryan leaned down, closer to the drunk. “Be careful how you speak about people. That woman happens to be a
friend of mine. Maybe if you weren’t a drunk, slurring and slobbering all over yourself, she wouldn’t have felt the need to duck out of here.”
The drunk scrambled to his feet but plopped back on his ass.
Ryan straightened again. “I’ll call you a cab. You’re not fit to drive.” He waited until the man’s gaze met his. “Don’t bother contacting Quinn again. She’s not interested.”
The following week dragged. Students were restless with spring fever, and Quinn found she had as much trouble focusing as the kids. She felt burned out and couldn’t wait for summer, but her list nagged her every day. She had gotten nothing done and hadn’t even put forth much effort.
Except for the stupid dating sites.
That made tonight a two- or three-drink night, so she dropped her car off at home and had her colleague and friend Brian drive her to the bar.
It was still too early for the regular after-work crowds to be in a bar. Quinn found herself fussing with her hair as she scanned the room looking for Ryan. She didn’t know what had gotten into her. She barely knew him. But she did know the man could kiss.
Brian nudged her over to the bar to order. “Hey, Jenna. I’ll have a beer. And Quinn will have—what froufrou concoction will it be today?”
Quinn rolled her eyes at him and focused her attention on the bartender. “Let’s make it a Long Island iced tea.”
Brian reached down from his six-foot-three frame to touch her shoulder. “Do you know what’s in that?”
“Yes, I’m not driving. I’ll be fine.”
Jenna nodded and began to mix and pour. As if she could read Quinn’s mind, she said, “He’s not in right now.”
“Huh?”
“Ryan. He’s not here.” She pushed a tall glass in front of Quinn.
“I wasn’t looking for him.”
“Sorry. You looked like you were.” She swiped the bills Brian laid on the bar and turned to the next teacher.
How sad that Jenna lumped her into the group of women Ryan talked to any given night. Every time she saw him, he was engaged in conversation with a different woman. Did they all stand at the bar searching for him?
More Than This Page 4