I could see it in Ryan’s eyes.
“I’m so sorry,” I said on an exhalation.
“Thanks.”
Looking him over, I suddenly had a lot more respect for him as I put the pieces together. He’d said he had Aria when he was eighteen, and just now he’d said his wife had died. So, he’d married at an extremely young age, had a child he’d raised on his own for the last six years, and still he cared so much for her.
I didn’t know any men like that.
Aria came back into the room at that moment, phone in hand, and gave us both an uneasy look.
“Can I be excused for the evening?” she asked Ryan.
“It’s seven.”
“Exactly.”
Ryan’s voice took on a stern edge. “Why? Where are you going now?”
“Out.”
“With?” He flicked his hand over and gave her an expectant look.
“Brad. He got off work early and wants to see the new X-Men movie.”
“Brooke is our guest, Aria. You invited her to dinner and you’re just going to leave? Also, you didn’t want to see that movie with me—what makes Brad so special?”
“Are you kidding?” she snapped. “I’m not going to see a movie with you and have people thinking I’m out with some sugar daddy.”
Ryan’s mouth dropped open, and as much as I tried, I couldn’t stop myself from laughing at that one.
“Jesus Christ, Aria. What the hell? It’s X-Men.”
“Whatever, Dad. I’m going. I know what I’m talking about, and Brooke is cool with me leaving.”
I liked how she spoke for me even though I’d given her no indication as to what I thought. She definitely amused me.
“Brooke, that’s not funny.”
“This is what I have to put up with.” Aria pointed at Ryan. “See? Psycho maniac.”
“You guys are so funny. I feel like I’m at a play.”
“It’s not a play. She just called me a sugar daddy.” Even Ryan couldn’t stop himself from laughing.
“I didn’t. I said people would think that. Do you know how embarrassing it is to have to explain you’re not my college boyfriend or some man who wants to lure me away to do God knows what?”
“Just stop already.” Ryan shook his head.
“I’m going,” Aria said again.
“Hey, I get to meet this Brad person.” Ryan looked over at me and nodded.
“No—God no. Why? So you can scare him away?” Aria winced.
“I get to meet him, end of story.”
Aria actually looked over at me. “Brooke, do you see how uncool he is?”
