Ryker was mesmerized by Wes’s TVinterview.
Much as he loathed this type of thing, hehad to admit that Wes was very good at the public relations stuff.He had charisma to spare.
When the topic of the book collaborationcame up, he could see the momentary flicker of unease on Wes’sface.How the hell did she get that information?Wes’s jawclenched before he resumed that practiced smile and turned thetables on the interviewer.And then there was that comment aboutMac.
If that had been me, I would’ve told her tofuck off and walked right off the set.
Was it possible there was something betweenWes and Mac?Wes hadn’t fully acknowledged the rumor, but he hadn’tsquelched it either.That was probably how you had to play themedia game to keep them guessing and hold their attention.But justthe thought of Wes and Mac being intimate together made Ryker’sstomach revolt.
Pushing that thought, and the interview,aside, Ryker went back to work.Several hours later, and after allhis revisions were complete, Ryker was standing in the kitchen,prepping a chicken and veggie stir fry, when his phone beeped.
Mac:You got a few minutes tochat?
Ryker:Yup.
His phone rang almost immediately.
“Hey, what’s up?”Ryker answered onspeakerphone while chopping zucchini and carrots, occasionallythrowing Spock a piece of food to avoid his sad but persistentstare-down.
“I’ve reached out to Wes’s assistant to setup a conference call for tomorrow at seven PM.I thought we’dformalize a few things.”
“Aren’t you jumping the gun, Mac?Or maybeyou just want to talk to Wes again, since apparently you two are anitem now?”Ryker commented, only half joking.
Mac snorted.“Yeah, no.Wait, you watchedthe interview today?Taking a new interest in daytime TV, Ry?”
“Research.I need to learn all I can aboutWes so I can make an informed decision.You know me.Logical andpractical.And Mac, Wes and I need to get to know each other and dosome work together before we can say yes.This is a big deal forme.For both of us.”
“Well, that’s good.I’m so glad yourprevious ‘no way’ is now ‘an informed decision.’I’m going to chillthe champagne just in case.I’ll text you the details for tomorrow.Call your agent!Ciao.”
Mac’s call reminded him of something else hehad to do.Ryker picked up his phone again.
“Hey, how are you?Good.Listen, I have afavor to ask.Can you be here tomorrow morning at nine thirty?I’dlike to introduce you to someone.”He paused.“No, not in that way.Have you ever known me to do that?This is business.I’ll call youlater with more details.Okay, thanks.”
Ryker’s gut tightened at the thought ofseeing Wes again.Was it apprehension or pleasure?Admittedly, alittle bit of both.
****
Wes
Rush hour on a Monday morning in New YorkCity was frenetic and entertaining.Wall-to-wall traffic and massesof people pushing to get ahead—and that was just the line at thebagel shop.
This was Wes’s first time at Sadie’s inSoHo, and what a revelation.The sweet aroma of freshly bakedbread, toasted sesame seeds, and other spices wafted through thevintage bakery.Wes waited twenty minutes for hisdelicious-smelling order: six sesame seed and six poppy seedbagels, along with a container of cream cheese and homemadelox.
What should have been a five-minute ridefrom the bagel shop to Ryker’s took almost half an hour due togridlock.Next time I’ll walk.If there is a next time.Luckily, he still arrived ten minutes early.Being late was one ofWes’s few pet peeves.
Stepping out of the car, Wes glanced up athis destination, a stylish old building on Park Avenue with ornatestonework and large windows that looked out over one of the world’smost iconic places: Central Park.Wes had pictured Ryker in someindustrial loft in Brooklyn, but he couldn’t deny the appeal ofthis location.
Wes gave his name to the concierge, addedhis details to the security system, and was then escorted to theelevator.Exiting on the twenty-eighth floor, he walked down anarrow hallway lit with bronze wall sconces until he reachedRyker’s door.
Wes knocked twice, and a barrage of barkingand footsteps could be heard behind the door.A flutter in hisstomach took flight.A combination of nerves, hunger, and someother form of anticipation filled him, and he took a deep breath.He smoothed down his olive-green Henley.He’d opted for a casuallook today with black jeans and boots.
When the door opened, Wes was greeted by asmiling woman in her fifties.She was petite and very beautiful.With long, dark hair, wide brown eyes, and a smile that was nowfamiliar to him, he eagerly put out his hand.
“Hola, Mr.Stewart, come in.I’m TinaDesoumas, Ryker’s mother.It’s a pleasure to meet you.I’m a bigfan of your books.”She gripped Wes’s hand firmly, her hand lightlycalloused, warm, and very strong.She couldn’t have been more thanfive-foot-five and was curvaceous in stylish black yoga pants and along, white button-down shirt.Her feet were bare, displaying darkblue nail polish.Beside her stood a small dog with big pointyears, his sleek black-and-brown pelt shimmying as he wagged histiny tail.
“This is Spock, and he’s also very excitedto meet you, as you can tell.”She laughed as the miniaturepinscher stood on his back legs to reach up and lick Wes’shand.
“Chances are he’s more excited about thefood smells than seeing me,” Wes replied as he held up the largebrown bag.“And thank you, Tina, the pleasure is all mine.I hopeI’m not too early.I’ve brought breakfast,” he said as he followedher down the hallway into Ryker’s modern apartment, reaching thekitchen.
