“I didn’t. Is there a tire fairy in the area?” I chuckle at my own joke, but when his face blanks, an idea takes root. “Wait, do you know who did it?”
He shifts, clearly attempting to avoid telling me what he knows.
“Please, Grant. I want to thank whoever did it.”
He scratches the back of his neck, then lets his arm drop. “If I had to guess, I’d say it was my dad.” He makes a face like he’s embarrassed to admit it.
I shake my head, but there’s a fond smile on my face and a bright spark of warmth in my chest. “That fits based on what I’ve experienced from him.” I’ll make a point to thank him. It’s too generous, but by now I know there’s no point in arguing with a Ryan.
“I’d offer to tell him off for you, but I’m not mad he did it. Plus, he loves dad stuff. I have no doubt this falls under that category for him. Anyone even a few years younger than him is subject to his overstepping.” He shrugs, clearly unbothered.
I suspect if I were upset, he wouldn’t be so cavalier, but I can’t be.
I release a small breath and wonder at the thought that I fall under “dad stuff” for Connor Ryan. It’s overwhelming and more than a little dreamy for some reason.
“Fair enough. After the store, why don’t you bring the girls so they can play with Mr. Bingley while you do it? It’ll be his compensation for losing his escape hatch.” Plus he’s been so lonely with me at work. He’d gotten used to having me around while we traveled and got adjusted here, so I think he’d love a little extra attention, even if he grumbles about it.
“I’m sure they will lose their minds with excitement.”
He’s lost the smile, but his eyes are still that ridiculous Ryan blue, and now that I’ve seen who he is, I’m not sure I’ll ever think of him as grumpy again.
“Great. I’ll see you this afternoon.”
With one more little drop of his chin, he shuts the door behind himself. I can hear his footsteps down the stairs, then the outer garage door shut. A few minutes later, there’s chatter in the driveway as he loads the girls into the car, and they drive away.
And me? I’m standing around smiling to myself, still holding Mr. Bingley.
My phone buzzing finally snaps me out of whatever spell I’ve fallen under. “Oh my gosh, Sam, snap out of it!”
Mr. Bingley skitters away and I answer the call.
“Hey, Evie. What’s up?”
She asks if we can get coffee on her lunch break one day this week. I’m thrilled she asked, and I have Tuesday off, so that’s what I suggest.
“You sound very cheery. What’s going on in your world today?”
I can hear Charlie babbling in the background.
“Grant just came by to fix something. He’s going to bring the girls over to play with the cat while he installs it later today.” And I am looking forward to that more than I should.
My heart sinks at the thought. Am I doing what I did last time? Am I being a total fool by letting myself feel all these fluttery, excited feelings over a man I don’t actually know?
“That sounds fun.” Her tone has a little tease in it.
I sigh. “It does.”
“But?”
The couch summons me, and I heed its call, suddenly completely deflated by my own thoughts. “But I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
She waits a beat. “Because?”
“Because I’m just… I like him. Way too much. And I can’t be doing this again, can I? I mean, did I learn nothing last time? And I even told him—myselfandhim—that I wasn’t ready for anything. So why am I sitting here practically giddy I get to see him again today?” I cover my eyes like I might be able to shield myself from my embarrassment.
Evie’s quiet for a moment before she responds.
“I don’t know everything you went through, but this sounds very different from what you’ve described happened with your ex.”
