My heart almost pounded out of my chest the first time I pulled up to the condo building and saw Dylan’s truck sitting in his spot. It took me a few minutes to find the courage to climb out of the car. But I did.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I speedwalked past his door and held my breath as I waited for Hope to answer her door.
Only it was Ryan who opened the door.
He blinked a few times like he wasn’t expecting me. “Indy. Hey.”
“Hey, Ryan.”
Only he didn’t move to let me in.
I tossed a concerned look at Dylan’s closed door then stepped into Ryan’s space. “Yeah, I’m coming in if that’s all right…”
“What? Oh sure.” He scrambled to get out of my way.
I heard laughter from the room behind him.
“I missed you at work today.”
I closed the door behind me, but he still stood in my way.
“I had some appointments with a few production companies, and then I volunteered at the women’s center.”
He smiled. “That’s great. I’m proud of you.”
I don’t know why, but I choked up a little. I never had a brother, but I imagine it felt something like this. Or should anyhow.
Ryan shook his head. “Sorry. I won’t keep you from the mayhem, but uh, are you coming for Thanksgiving at Aunt Wendy’s?”
When I didn’t immediately answer, he frowned.
“You’ve been invited, right?”
I nodded. “Austin mentioned it, and Wendy called me. I don’t know though. I just… I’m not sure it’s a good idea. I can always volunteer at the center or Anne invited me to her place too.”
Ryan sighed. “I hope you know that we all still consider you part of the family. We love you, Indy, and want you to stick around. No matter what’s going on with you and Dylan.”
“I know. It’s just…” I was being transparent as fuck, but I didn’t want to sit across the table from Dylan for that long. Or god forbid, next to him. I’d only caught a glimpse of him at work when we had to attend the same planning meetings. He looked thinner but still hot as hell. The bastard.
“Awkward. I know.” He smiled slightly. “But it shouldn’t be. And you should know Aunt Wendy puts on a spread that puts most restaurants to shame. You’ll regret not coming for the food alone. And I think you’ll find that Dylan cares a lot about what’s going on with you—still.”
After that enigmatic statement, Ryan gave me a smile and turned to leave, he paused next to the couch where Hope was bouncing their daughter on her lap. He swooped down, grabbed Fliss, pressed a quick kiss to his wife’s head, then walked down the hall to the bedrooms.
All I could do was turn over Ryan’s last cryptic sentence. Dylan cares a lot about me.
Really?
“Indy! Are you okay?” Maddie’s question snapped me back to the present.
And made me realize I was staring into the distance like a crazy person.
I shook my head. “Uh, yeah. I’m good.” I crossed the room and took a seat in the empty recliner. “Um, so is there a protocol to Thanksgiving? Am I supposed to bring something?”
Chapter 24
Dylan
The next few weeks passed in a blur.
