"Actually, um…no."
So of course, he turned smug. "Well, there ya go."
Walking beside him, I found myself taking stock of how my life had turned into a messy, wonderful mix. I spent most of my time on the island, with occasional stays in Chicago that were all business, except for my nights with Ryder.
Consulting filled the gaps, giving me a modest income without swallowing me whole. I'd even funneled some work to my former coworker who'd been fired for burning popcorn. Monica was happy. And I was thrilled – even more so after Ryder added her to the graphics team for his major properties.
Griff and Maisie were doing great, things with my mom were iffy, and Delaney had remained oddly elusive even after that call at the parade. As for Ryder, he was the most amazing part of my life, filling a piece of my soul that I hadn't realized was missing.
Walking next to me, he said, "So you've got no response tothat, huh?"
Okay, so I hadn't watchedSex in the City, but no self-respecting Rambo fan could holdthatagainst me. With a laugh, I replied, "Not yet. But if I think of a good comeback in the middle of the night, I'll be sure to wake you."
He looked more pleased than alarmed. "Oh, yeah? What time?"
I gave him another hip bump. "I didn't say I'd be naked." But then, under my breath, I couldn't help but mumble, "Okay, maybe I'd be a little naked."
Ryder gave a slow nod. "Nice."
Itwasnice, especially when he was naked, too. And I might've told him so, except a crowd near the coffee shop had just caught my attention.
As we walked closer, I asked, "You don't think Skip's back, do you?"It seemed incredibly unlikely.I'd never seen Skip look so happy as when we'd closed up the shop for good.
Ryder chuckled. "I hope not. You'd probably start working there."
"Oh, shut up," I teased. "I was the worst barista, ever."
"Not as bad as Skip."
"Do you know, that's the same thing Skip said to me on the day I quit?"
"Huh. So the guy's not a total idiot."
I smiled. "Actually, in some ways, he was sort of nice." I paused. "Well…at least there at the end."
When Ryder and I reached the coffee shop, I edged closer to the window, rising up on my toes without quite realizing it. Ryder claimed a spot behind me as we joined the crowd gathered around the glass.
They were looking at a sign, one that looked eerily familiar, at least in terms of style, with the same red ink and the same white paper, taped haphazardly to the glass.
But the words – they were totally different. My breath caught as I read them for the second time.
YOU
ME
QUESTION INCOMING
The noise around me faded, and warmth bloomed behind my ribs. I whirled back to look at Ryder, standing there in the autumn sun.
His smile was warm. His eyes were steady. And – here was the biggie – he looked like he knew something I didn't.
But I knew something, too – because if I'd guessed the right question, my heart already knew the answer.
101
The Big Question
Ryder
