Ryan was like a light that had just been clapped on.
Aelin’s eyes widened, and she snapped her hand back so fast, she almost slapped the railing behind her. “I shouldn’t have touched you.”
“It’s fine?—”
“No, it’s not fine. Now I’m going to think about it.” She scrunched up her face.
Ryan’s heart beat like a bass drum.She was going to think about it?His brain laser-focused like he’d just slammed a Red Bull. How was she going to think about it?Whatwas she going to think about it?
Aelin exhaled. “I already think about you with that toolbox and the time I saw you on the couch.”
Ryan’s brow furrowed. The couch? He’d never been on the couch at her place. “When was that?” he asked, hoping it wouldn’t stem the flow of deeply intriguing information.
Aelin rolled her eyes. “I was spying on you. Not on purpose, I would never do that on purpose.”
“Right.”
“The tablet was still on after Bailey went to bed, and you were sitting on the couch with your—” she motioned to his chest. “All of that out, and now I see it all the time. Especially when I open my garage.”
She was a talkative drunk, and he was going to lose his damn mind. She’d been watching him over video chat? He was about to drag her off into a corner and ask her what she thought about the first time they met or when they talked at the choir concert. He was hanging on to his last thread of self-control when Rhonda and Megan appeared next to them.
“Hey, there.” Rhonda’s eyes narrowed. She put a hand on Aelin’s shoulder. “You good?”
Aelin beamed up at her. “So good. Ryan’s here. He’s still not smiling though. Did you know he only smiles when he’s watching Amaya?” She lifted a hand and pressed it against his cheek. “He’s so serious all the time. Maybe sad?”
“Ooookay, I think it’s time to go.” Megan shot Ryan an apologetic look. “This is my fault. I wanted her to have a good time and forgot she’s a lightweight.”
“It’s fine.” Ryan’s cheek burned where she’d touched it.Megan and Rhonda led Aelin to the door, and his head was a rock tumbler, spinning her words until they shone.
He’s so serious all the time. Maybe sad?
“Hey,” Polk stalked toward him. “Jenna’s ready to head out.”
Ryan nodded and walked back to the table to pay his tab.
Now I see it all the time. Especially when I open my garage.
Each sentence was like an oasis. A hit of pure euphoria. How long had it been since he’d heard a woman was thinking about him? Of course he noticed women looking in his direction or the small flirtations at the pub after games or on nights out, but he’d perfected the art of looking not interested. Women didn’t make advances when he refused to make eye contact or didn’t smile when they made a bid. It was second nature for him to shut things down before they even started.
He’d done all of that with Aelin, and somehow she’d still noticed him. Thought about him. The sheer desperation it brought out in him sent adrenaline surging through him.
The ride home was uneventful. Polk and Country were half asleep, and Jenna was listening to a sports commentator. By the time they got to the house, Ryan only needed another twenty minutes to fully sober up.
He used the washroom and rested on the couch until his alarm went off, then got in the car and drove home.
_____
His head felt thick when he answered the door to Laura, Russ, and Amaya on the doorstep at eleven.
“Morning, Dad!” Amaya threw her arms around him. Was she always this loud?
“Morning, babe.”
Amaya dropped her bag on the floor, slipped off her shoes,and ran into the house. Probably straight for her tablet. He ignored the thought that he should check if Aelin was somewhere behind the camera.
“How did it go?” he asked.
Laura beamed at him. “We all had a lovely time. She’s such an amazing girl. You’re doing a great job, Ryan.”
