I’m at his place and he’s gone.
Cat
Yes!! Get him, girl!
Pippa
I’m trying to lol But he isn’t here.
Cat
He might be downstairs getting dinner with the guys. That’s where Nate is.
I let out a breath of relief. I’m sure she’s right—those five guys are pretty much surgically attached at the hip. Besides, he can’t refuse to talk to me in front of them.
I take the elevator down to the second floor, tapping my foot impatiently as it moves at what feels like a glacial pace. I’ve really got to talk to whoever’s in charge—it feels like it’s James for some reason—about making the damn elevator move faster.
When the doors finally fucking open, I practically run to the Terrace Steakhouse entrance. The poor hostess standing by the door gasps, her eyes wide like she’s scared I’m going to tackle her—which, from her perspective, is probably what it looks like.
Fortunately for her, four tall figures in workout clothes emerge from the restaurant just in time. Nate, Beau, Luke, and James—with Ryan nowhere to be seen. I frown as I stride toward them.
“Hey, Pippa,” Nate says, looking surprised.
“Hey, guys. I’m looking for Ryan. Is he with you?”
The guys exchange glances. “Haven’t seen him in a few days,” James says.
“We were supposed to play poker tonight, but he canceled,” Beau adds. “Henevercancels poker.”
“He hasn’t been in the group chat, either. Our working theory was that you two had a fight,” Nate says.
My face heats. Finding out the guys have been speculating about me and Ryan makes me want to wither into a husk.
I guess I’m not the only one feeling embarrassed, because Luke clears his throat. “I’m sorry for hitting on you so much,Pippa,” he says, staring awkwardly at the ground. “I didn’t realize that you and Ryan…”
He trails off before he defines what me and Ryan are or aren’t. I can feel my face turning red.
“Yeah, well, we were…but now we’re not,” I stutter.
Beau frowns. “Well, if you’re looking for Ryan to give him shit about something, maybe you could hold off a damn minute. We’re legitimately worried about him. We’ve never seen him act like this.”
“No! That’s now why I’m looking for him.” I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. “I have something I need to tell him. It’s really important.”
They all stare at me for a moment. Then, Beau hits Nate hard on the back. “I fuckingtold you!”
Nate and James both punch Beau in the arm while Luke lets out a whoop and shakes Nate’s shoulders. Somebody wolf-whistles, and for a moment they’re a four-headed mass of celebration. Diners stare openly at them from inside the restaurant.
“Was there a sports game tonight?” someone asks.
My face must be cherry red by now with all the attention they’re drawing. “Calm down, dudes. It’s not that big a deal.”
“Not a big deal?” Beau echoes. “You and Ryan are going to be together and in love and invite us to the world’s most awkward wedding, and you say it’s not a big deal?”
“I call best man!” Luke cries.
“Please,” James snorts. “That’s mine.”
Everyone stops celebrating for a second to stare at him, and he shrugs.
