He gave her arms a squeeze and let his thumbs graze against her skin a few times. “That sounds great. In the meantime, I’d love to take you out while I’m still in town if you—”
Ryan suddenly stood, jutting his hand out—notably—between Liam and Ginny. “I don’t think we’ve met properly. I’m Ryan Hood.”
All smiles and cordiality, Liam released Ginny and took Ryan’s hand. “Liam Holder. And you’re the protective family friend, right? I think I saw you at the wedding a few weeks ago.”
“Yeah, that’s me. I was the one who sang with Ginny for the first dance.”
Liam’s eyes narrowed, still shaking Ryan’s hand. “And I was the one who danced with Virginia all night.”
Ginny rolled her eyes. “And I was the one who ate her weight in oatmeal raisin cookies and led the entire wedding party in theMacarena. We’re all introduced.” She waved her hand in a giant circle between them.
Both men turned to her, still holding onto each other. Liam looked entirely confused, but Ryan was delighted.
“I’m pretty sure I ate more,” he said.
“Not a chance, Coach.”
Liam released Ryan and put his hands on his hips. Even with his clean-cut polo, jeans, and entire Captain America look, Liam just couldn’t compare to the rumpled, armadillo sweatshirt-wearing man at her side—who’d just sung the most ridiculous rendition ofI Want It That Wayshe’d ever heard and who had a speckle of chocolate sauce in the corner of his lip. Ryan was just barely taller than Liam, but in Ginny’s eyes, he’d managed to make himself look eight feet tall.
She held Ryan’s stare for three beats and despite his habit of posturing himself against every man that took notice of her, Ginny couldn’t deny the steady pitter patter of her heart as he looked at her now. Here. Alone-ish. With an inconsequential, but impressive man between them. His eyes bore into hers with an uncertain question in them. Like he couldn’t quite make out what it was he wanted, but she’d give just about anything to keephim looking at her the way he was now. Like he wasn’t as afraid of her as he let on.
Ginny, still pointed in Ryan’s direction, turned her eyes to Liam. “It was really nice to see ya, Liam, but I’m gonna have to pass on that date.” She gave him her best smile. “Thank you all the same, though.”
Liam’s eyes passed from Ginny to Ryan and back to Ginny, resigned understanding washing over his countenance. “Hmmm. I see,” he said, putting his hand out to shake Ryan’s again. “Well, it was nice to meet you Ryan and,” he turned to Ginny, scooping her into a hug before she realized what was happening, “looks like I’m the guy missing out now.”
“Sorry,” she whispered. And in some ways, she was.
“Don’t be.” He pulled away and saluted them both.
Ryan stepped closer, hands in his pockets and a Cheshire smile lighting up his face. “Well, isn’t he just so very nice.”
“You should see him dance.”
Ryan blew out a whistle. “And did you know he’s a hot pilot?”
Ginny hummed and looked around the room. “Yeah, but he doesn’t watchThe Office.”
“Deal breaker?”
“Guess so.” She shrugged.
“Well, there's more fish in the sea and all that. Probably… But not that guy.” Ryan looked down at their table and the remnants of tots on the plate. “Are you ready to get outta here?”
She nodded, and Ryan, hands still shoved in his pockets, nudged her with his shoulder to lead the way.
An eclectic playlist sang over the speakers of Ryan’s car, a steady soundtrack to their ride home in the autumn twilight. It wasn’tcold enough for winter coats or boots, but Ginny felt the promise of a chill in the air and wrapped her arms around herself.
Ryan flipped the heat on low without a word and steered them towards Good Start and Ginny’s apartment, tapping his fingertips against the steering wheel.
“Thanks for sticking around with me,” Ginny said, taking a glance at Ryan, with his hands tense at ten and two and his eyes never veering from ahead. “And for paying. I had fun.”
He nodded and offered her a silent smile. Why couldn’t he just admit the same?
Ginny felt her earlier irritation with him flare. She didn’t want to return to clipped conversation and Ryan’s avoidance. She wanted his friendship if she could have nothing else.
“Your car smells like you,” she blurted.
Way to not make things more uncomfortable, Gin.
