“I’m just preparing myself for whatever happens.”
“You’re hoping she falls in love with you.”
“Of course.” I waved at him like it wasn’t obvious. Of course, I wanted this woman to love me.
“What if she doesn’t?”
What if she doesn’t?
“I don’t know yet.”
We sat there in silence, the question Beckett had asked me lingering between us, along with my answer. I had no idea what I would do if Odette walked away, but I wasn’t going to focus on that.
I pulled out my phone, shooting off a message to her, inviting her over tonight for dinner. I wanted to cook for her, to have her in my space, since I’d been in hers. When I set my phone down, Beckett gave me a knowing nod.
“You should go get ready for your stream later. I’ll grab some lunch and see you then.” Beckett got up and grabbed his coffee before coming to stand beside me. His hand landed on my shoulder, and I looked up at my best friend. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Ryker.”
“I do.” The words slipped from my mouth, and Beckett left the house, leaving me alone, at least for a few hours. I needed to shower and prep for my stream today. I would be continuing my current speed run ofLeague of Witches,but no matter how much I tried to get my head in it, I couldn’t.
Odette had filled my thoughts, and as I started the stream hours later, I felt off. I felt like I didn’t know where to go or what to do. I apologized to those watching that I felt a little rusty after taking a few days off. In return, it gave me endless encouragement.
I looked over at the chat during one of the cut scenes and saw them going crazy. They only did this when Odette joined the live, and when I looked at my list, there she was.
OdetteReign.
I puffed my chest, and when the cut scene ended, I felt more on my game. I could do this. I knew she was watching while writing, and she’d already answered my text about coming to dinner later.
Even if she didn’t know it was me in this moment, she would tonight.
I would tell the woman I loved everything.
The woman I loved.
Iwas sitting out front of the address Ryker had messaged me a few hours ago. This is how he must have felt when he came to pick me up last night, when it took him forever to come to the door. I was stuck in the seat of my car, unsure how to move.
I’d spent the better part of today writing. Ryker had left my house this morning, and the words came flooding. I hadn’t really thought about the outside world until he texted in the afternoon, breaking the well-manicured concentration I’d built in my living room. I turned on CovertRetriever’s steam and began writing.
And this time, the scenes I was writing weren’t just me trying to conjure up what I thought might happen between us. I took exactly what had happened last night and put pen to paper. From Ryker pressing me against the wall, his hands on me, to us finally ending up in my bed, falling asleep in each other’s arms. I reread the few chapters I’d added to my story a few times over and was enamored by what I’d been able to pump out quickly.
Now here I was, still sitting in my car, nervous to walk up to his door.
This was scary territory for me. Going over to someone else’s house. Going into their space.
Flashbacks of being at Parker’s apartment invaded my mind, where I wasn’t allowed to have any of my things out when Ivisited. If I went over and packed an overnight bag, everything must stay in said bag. I wasn’t even allowed to have a toothbrush out in his bathroom when I left. Nothing of mine was allowed to stay.
I shuddered at the memory, shaking it from my thoughts.
Tonight was about Ryker.
I took a deep breath, exited the car, and made my way to the door. I knocked twice before it opened, and Ryker stood in front of me in a pair of gym shorts, a dark blue shirt, and his hair piled in a bun on top of his head. He looked laidback compared to me in a pair of skinny jeans, a tank, and a cardigan. There wasn’t much of an agenda for tonight’s date, except for Ryker saying he wanted to cook for me.
“Odette.” Hearing my name from his lips made my brain short-circuit. I felt like I lost all semblance of thought when this man addressed me. It was like I was the only woman in the world.
“Ryker.” A smile spread over my face as he grabbed my hand and pulled me into his house. It smelled heavenly, like garlic and red sauce.
“Dinner is almost ready,” he let me know as he led me into the kitchen, which looked like a disaster. I giggled and looked around, pots and pans everywhere. “I made pasta with vodka sauce and sausage.”
“That sounds amazing.” I squeezed his hand before he let it go and made his way to the stove, stirring the pan that contained the whole concoction before opening the oven. Garlic filled the room, and I assumed he had bread baking for us. “I didn’t know this would be a whole thing, Ryker.”
