Abruptly, Ryder stopped walking. So of course, so did I. He turned to face me and asked, "What do you mean?"
He wasn't smiling.
And now, neither was I. My stomach twisted as I said, "Like…did he send you here?"
At this, something new flickered in his eyes. Whatever it was, it wasn't warm and cheery. Sounding incredulous, he asked,"That'swhat you think? That I'm here because some dipshit sent me?"
A bark of nervous laughter spilled out before I could stop it. It felt oddly good to have Evan mocked with such a silly name, something far too insignificant to be scary.
After all, nobody ever said,That dipshit terrifies me.
With a weak smile, I said, "I've never heard him calledthatbefore."
"Yeah, well, stick around, and you'll be hearing worse."
It was comforting, and yet I refused to let it go. "But youdoknow him, right?"
Ryder scoffed. "Everyone knows him. And he makes damn sure of it, too." But then, his gaze hardened. "Wait a minute…is that why you were so jumpy?"
"A little."
He waited.
"Fine," I said. "A lot, okay?"
He looked genuinely perplexed. "But why? I'm not even friends with the guy."
"Yeah, butIdidn't know that." As I said it, a little voice whispered in my ear that Istilldidn't know it, not for sure. All I had was Ryder's word. And kissing or not, I still didn't know him terribly well.
With a frown, he said, "Well, know it now. The guy's a douche."
I likeddipshitbetter. It made Evan sound small and insignificant.Douchewas okay, I guess, but it didn't shrink him down nearly enough to chase away my worries.
And now, standing on the moonlit street, I felt desperate to explain. "But look at it from my point of view. I'm here on the island minding my own business, and thenyoushow up – and from Chicago, too."
"Forget me and Chicago," he said. "Evan Carver – what'd he do?"
"Aside from ruining my career?"
Ryder's gaze didn't waver. "Yeah. Aside from that."
My stomach sank. "Soyouthink my career is ruined, too?"
"Fuck your career."
My jaw dropped. "What?"
"That's fixable."
"Oh, please. That's easy for you to say. You work for yourself."
"Yeah, and you could, too."
"Not without clients, I couldn't."
"Forget the clients," he said. "I want to hear why you're scared."
"I never said I'm scared." I looked away. "I'm just nervous, that's all."
