I didn’t see Ryan until late morning when he dropped by my office. He peeked his head in. “Hey, have you recovered from last night?”
I held up my can of Diet Coke. “I’ve had some help. How about you?”
“I’m ready to run the Bolder Boulder again.”
“Really? So, do you want to do a 10k after work?”
He gave me a crooked little grin and invited himself into my office. Before he spoke, he looked around. I did, too. I was wondering what he was looking for, but the mystery was soon solved. “How about instead of a 10K, we do something boring like dinner and a movie tomorrow night?” He tried to act covert.
“Boring sounds good,” I grinned mischievously.
“Great. I’ll pick you up at six?”
I nodded my head in agreement.
“We’re still on for running tomorrow, right?” He was heading for the door.
“Of course.” Could I smile any bigger? This was what I had been hoping for. The butterflies perked up and I found I no longer needed caffeine. Ryan was my new stimulant of choice.
I was giddy, like schoolgirl giddy. It made concentrating on work hard, but now, more than ever, I needed to do a good job. I didn’t want my dad, or Ryan, getting the wrong idea. I wanted them both to see me as responsible and competent. I even took the first part of the CPA exam and passed it with flying colors. I was planning on surprising them both when it was a done deal. Part of me wasn’t sure why I was bothering, because my long-term plan was psychology, but I figured it was a good plan B, and everyone always needed a good accountant. Besides, if I ever had my own practice, accounting skills would come in handy. I could offer tax tips as a bonus to my patients.
I crashed early on Thursday night, but woke up with a purpose and vengeance on Friday. First, run with my gorgeous neighbor. Second, lunch with my best friend and former gorgeous neighbor. Last, but not least, make dinner and a movie the most non-boring date ever with current gorgeous neighbor and object of my desire. Don’t worry, I wasn’t objectifying Ryan. I was admiring him. Thoroughly.
My run with Ryan was our usual: good conversation, great view, and a great work out. Nothing special to report other than Ryan suggested we sign up for the local 10k in September. I agreed we should, not because I was a fan of races, but because it meant he saw us together in two months.
Work was work. I was counting down the minutes until Krissy and I would be reunited, and until my date. A noteworthy mention of the morning came in the form of Felicity asking if I would like to have lunch with her. She seemed nervous, and my dad scattered when she approached us. I asked her for a rain check since I already had plans with Krissy. We made a date for the following week. She seemed relieved, and hugged me. Weird.
Krissy and I met at our favorite soup and salad place. I figured I better go easy at lunch since I wasn’t sure where Ryan was taking me. He said he was still looking at options and would let me know when he picked me up. I trusted his judgment, so I didn’t mind the element of surprise.
Krissy and I met in the parking lot, and man, did the Bahamas look good on her, or maybe it was married life. Either way, she was tan and glowing like the northern lights. I had never seen her look so good.
“Krissy, you look amazing.” I embraced her.
“I was thinking the same thing about you.”
We got our favorite table on the patio and munched on fruit and shrimp salad while we caught up. She pulled out her iPad and showed me picture after picture of white sand beaches, crystal blue water, and palm trees. She and Chance made several appearances. Most of it had been documented on Facebook and Instagram, but it was fun to hear her personal account of what sounded like the time of her life.
She brought me some souvenirs. She handed me a canvas bag filled with lots of goodies, my favorite was the conch shell necklace. I wasted no time putting it on.
“It’s beautiful. Thanks, Kris.”
“You’re welcome. But enough about me and my perfect life. Tell me about Ryan. I still can’t believe you’re dating him.”
“I don’t know if we’re really dating, but yeah, it’s pretty surreal.”
“I used to think you were so crazy for having a crush on him, but look at you now.”
I stuck my fork into a nice big, juicy, red strawberry. “I’m still crazy, but there’s just something about him. You know?”
“Yeah, I know,” she sighed dreamily. I knew who she was thinking about as she eyed the rock on her finger. “He’s obviously into you, though. The way he looked at you when you danced at my wedding left no doubt. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought you were already a couple.”
I thought back to that moment. It was one of those moments I would relive over and over in my mind until the end of time. “It really was perfect,” I sighed.
She grinned. “I’m happy for you. You deserve to be happy.”
“Thanks, I’m just trying to remind myself that others can’t make us happy or miserable, it’s really our choice, but I admit being with Ryan has a very positive effect on me.”
She reached across the table and held my hand. “You know, it’s okay to get lost in someone, even if you don’t know what the outcome will be. Let go and see where it takes you.”
“When did you get so smart?”
“I just want to see you happy like this for a long time to come. You’ve had so much to deal with in your life the last several years, I want you to finally be able to leave that all behind and move on . . . and even find love.”
I wiped an errant tear. She had been my sanity and sounding board for many years. I didn’t think I would ever be able to fully express what she’d meant to me. She was a sister to me, in every sense that mattered.
As we hugged in parting, she brought up a novel idea. “We should double date sometime.”
“Huh. Yeah, that would be fun. I’ll talk to Ryan about it.”
“How about tomorrow night?”
I thought about it. That seemed awfully soon.
“Oh, come on, CJ. We all know each other and we’ll do something low key like dinner or bowling.”
“Bowling?”
“Chance loves it.”
I laughed. “Well, that’s something I didn’t know about him.”
“Promise me you’ll ask.”
“Okay,” I said in exasperation. She always got her way.
~*~
Charlee and Ryan date, take two. This go around I decided to forgo white, in case of rain. Instead I opted for a more romantic look, with a cream lace shirt and some flare jeans that hugged my curves. I also loved that he was tall enough that I could wear a shoe with heels.
He knocked on our door at precisely 6:00 p.m. My dad teased that he would get it and grill him about his intentions with his daughter. I didn’t buy it for a second.
“Goodnight, Dad. Don’t wait up.” I called out as I went to answer the door.
“Have a good time, baby girl.”
I opened the door to find Ryan standing there looking very handsome and holding one white rose. Now that was romantic.
“Hi.” I smiled.
He held out the rose and seductively smiled. “Hi.”
Yes, I wanted to swoon right then and there, but instead I took the perfectly shaped, almost fully bloomed rose and drank in the scent. It was nothing compared to the way Ryan smelled, but it was a close second. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Are you ready to go?”
I nodded and followed him back to his house where his car sat ready in his driveway. He opened my door, but before I got in he said, “You look beautiful tonight.” He paused. “I mean you are beautiful.”
I almost teased and thanked him for not saying I looked grownup, but I didn’t want to ruin the mood. I liked the feel of this moment when our gaze was fixed upon each other. Where I could see in his eyes he spoke the truth. For a moment, I felt beautiful.
“Thank you, Ryan,” I spoke softly.
His hand ran down my cheek m
aking me shiver.
Once we were both settled in his car, I turned to him. “So where are we going?”
“I thought we would head up to Boulder.”
“Why? We have a great movie theater here.”
“Boulder has a great theater, too,” he stumbled on his words.
“Yeah . . . but its forty-five minutes from here.”
He cleared his throat. “There’s a . . . great Mediterranean restaurant there I want to take you to.”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
He was acting suspicious, not looking my way. “Seriously, you’ll thank me.”
“If you say so.”
He reached over and held my hand. “Does it really matter where we go?”
I looked down at our hands, and I felt that wonderful sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that only he seemed to invoke. I shook my head no.
Upon arriving at our destination, I forgot why I even thought about objecting. The restaurant was near the Pearl Street Mall and there was a great vibe going on. Bands were playing and lots of people were out and about, enjoying the summer evening. Not to mention, Boulder is just one more beautiful city in my home state. Can you tell I’m biased? It sure beats cornfields, I’ll tell you that.
Ryan looked happy as we walked hand-in-hand.
“How set are you on seeing a movie?” I asked him as we strolled to the restaurant.
“What do you have in mind?”
I looked around at the activity that surrounded us. I was totally digging the live music and street performers. “It seems a shame to be indoors when we could enjoy all of this.” I waved my hand around.
“Life is never boring with you, is it?”
“Gosh, I hope not.”
He smiled and kissed the top of my head. “There wasn’t anything good playing anyway.”
“You know, I think I may like you.”
He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me to him as we finished our short walk to the restaurant. It was packed on a Friday night, but Ryan had made reservations, and we were seated right away. He was obviously well connected. I guess I needed better friends, or maybe more of them.
Ryan was right, I was thanking him profusely. The food was to-die-for amazing. We stuffed ourselves on paella and smoked chicken. Don’t even get me started on the bread and the lemon pound cake with raspberry mousse for dessert. I was going to have to run ten miles the next day to burn it all off, but I would never regret it. And the company was wonderful.
We talked mostly about Josh. I loved how he talked about how it felt to hold him for the first time or the first time Josh said “Dada” or took his first step. My heart also broke for him because he felt like he was missing half of Josh’s life. He was especially missing him this week. Their only communication was by phone.
“Josh has asked about his Cherry.”
“He’s staked his claim, has he?”
“I’m raising him right,” he teased.
“You can tell him I’m all his.”
“All his?” Ryan arched his eyebrow.
“You know, until perhaps someone older that doesn’t drive a tricycle comes along.”
He laughed at me, and I loved every second of it. It ranked right up there with Josh’s giggle.
After dinner, we started at the east end of Pearl Street Mall. We enjoyed the artwork on display by some of the local artists. Well, at least most of it. Some people really took interpretation a little overboard, and then there were those that liked to bare it all, if you get my drift. I was happy to see my date avert his eyes and gaze upon me when we happened upon the exhibitionists. We found safer fare when we headed west. What would a street fair, of sorts, be without face painting? There was a lovely older couple set up offering just that. I had to do it. It amused Ryan when I took my seat in the folding chair.
“So what will it be young lady?” The gentleman of the pair, named Henry, was the artist.
“Hmm,” I thought. “You choose.”
Henry grinned and showed off his dentures. “I like you. You have a lot of spirit.”
“That she does,” Ryan agreed.
Henry looked between the two of us and smiled.
Ryan’s phone went off in the midst of my face painting project. “Charlee, do you mind if I get this?”
“Not at all.” I watched him walk away and pick up the phone. I bet it was Josh by the way his eyes lit up. The thought made me smile.
Henry went to work and talked while he painted. I had a hard time holding still, the brush tickled. I also followed Ryan’s movements.
“So who is that fella?” Henry asked.
“A friend.”
Henry gave me a scrutinizing glance.
“A very good friend,” I amended.
“Ahhh. There’s something wonderful about a new ‘friendship’ isn’t there?”
“Yes, very much so.”
“Do you know how to tell if a man is in love, dear?”
I shook my head no.
“It’s all in his eyes. He will look at you like you hold the stars and the moon in them.”
He turned from me and gazed at his wife. It was a perfect demonstration.
I sighed wistfully, and with that, he handed me a mirror. He had painted a moon near the corner of my right eye with tiny stars trailing down my cheek.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Ryan rejoined us as I was about to pay. He stepped in and paid for me instead. Henry smiled at the both of us, but he gently grabbed my arm. “Remember, sometimes people can’t see the forest for the trees.”
I shook my head, confused. What was that supposed to mean? I wanted to ask him, but he turned from me to greet his next customer.
“What was that all about?” Ryan asked when we walked away.
“I’m not sure. Anyway, how is Josh?”
“Victoria says he’s having a great time with his grandparents.”
“Oh . . . that was Victoria? Not Josh?”
“Josh was already asleep.”
“I guess it was late.” I knew it shouldn’t bother me that he talked to her, and I guess it didn’t. What bothered me was his reaction to her. It had excited him that she called, or so it had seemed.
“So where to next?” Ryan looked around.
My sights and ears fixed on the bluegrass band playing down toward the west end of the mall. I reached for Ryan’s hand and led him to the small crowd that had gathered around them. I didn’t listen to a lot of bluegrass, but I was intrigued with the four-part harmony from the all-women band performing. Their voices blended, but in dissonance, if that made sense; it was hauntingly beautiful. The song was lamenting the loss of love. I was mesmerized by it. Maybe I would have to listen to more bluegrass.
Their next song surprised me because I recognized it. It was a cover of “When You Say Nothing at All” by Alison Krauss. I adored that song. I turned to Ryan. “Dance with me.”
His eyes widened. “Here?”
“Yes.”
“No one else is dancing.”
“So?”
He froze. Meanwhile, I took matters into my own hands. I wrapped my hands around his neck and pulled him to me in the middle of the small crowd.
I could feel him sigh when he wrapped his arms around my waist and drew me closer. “Why do I let you talk me into these things?”
“Because you know you want to.”
He reached up and lightly ran his finger across my moon and stars. “I don’t think that’s it.”
“Then why?”
He didn’t answer, at least not verbally. He barely skimmed his lips across my own before he rested his cheek against mine. I was so wrapped up in him that I barely noticed the stares and the oohing and aahhing around us. My senses were completely fixed on the man who held me in his arms and perfectly kept in time to the rhythm of the song. He surprised me by twirling me out. He dazzled me with his smile when he drew me back to him. That smile turned heated as his hand held mine; he drew our ha
nds in and held them close to my heart. I felt like I was on fire. If we weren’t in a crowd, I would have kissed him until I needed to breathe, though I was finding breathing at all difficult at the moment. My insides felt like a roller coaster that I never wanted to get off.
Then the music stopped and just like that, the magic of the moment ended. Ryan was quick to let me go, and my body was slow to regain its equilibrium. Ryan didn’t seem as affected by me as I was by him. It gave me some pause.
“Do you mind if we look at some of the handmade toy booths?” Ryan’s question brought me out of my thoughts of him.
“No, of course not.”
We walked in silence toward the booth.
“Thanks for dancing with me.” I should have said that earlier.
He smiled over at me, but didn’t say anything.
I wasn’t quite sure what to make of him.
When we drove home that night, he seemed to be in a thoughtful state. It was almost as if he didn’t want to be disturbed in his thoughts. He wasn’t rude, but he was awfully quiet. It made me nervous to ask him if he wanted to hang out the next day with Krissy and Chance. I almost didn’t, but Krissy had texted me earlier saying how much she and Chance were looking forward to going out with us.
Ryan walked me to my door from his house. He held my hand during the short walk over.
“I had a really great time. Thank you.”
“Me, too,” he said absentmindedly.
“Really?”
He stopped on my driveway and met my eyes. “Yes.”
“Okay.”
We finished the walk up to my porch. I wasn’t sure what to expect from him in parting. I knew what I wanted, but I wasn’t sure that was on the table for him. He seemed to be stingy with his kisses. As he peered into my eyes, he looked unsure of how to proceed as well, but he leaned in. At the last second, he turned his head and kissed my cheek. My waiting lips rubbed themselves together and managed a weak smile.
“Well, goodnight.” He turned to walk home.
“Oh. I wanted to ask you something.” That sounded lame.
Trouble in Loveland (The Loveland Series Book 1) Page 18