That would be a mistake. A big mistake. Like sucking in a breath with a mouth full of cake.
“Was that shock? Or confirmation?” Lea studied her through narrowed eyes.
“Shock,” Phoebe said, pushing a glass of water her way.
Elle nodded. “Yeah. Shock.”
“Because you want to go up in flames.” Lea grinned. “I’m an expert on that. Lord knows I pined after Ben most of my life, longing for that to happen.” The astute woman tipped her head. “So, if not flames, then what? A kiss?”
A snort rippled up her throat.
“I think we have a winner.” Elle smiled.
“You and Ryder kissed already?” Phoebe asked. “Is that why he left the restaurant the other day?”
This was getting out of hand.
She pushed her plate away. “No. We kissed after that. And I have no idea why he keeps throwing up this wall. One minute he’s friendly, the next minute he’s rude, then walks away.”
“Wait.” Lea blinked. “Did he also walk away after he kissed you?”
Now she sighed. “After the second kiss.”
“There were two?” Phoebe’s eyes widened.
Knowing the women were not going to let it rest, Sophia filled them in briefly on everything that happened that week. “I kind of feel like a yo-yo.”
“He definitely has feelings for you,” Elle said, sitting back.
“Yeah. He’s in denial.” Lea nodded. “Ben was like that with me. He was afraid to open up, and it caused him to do some stupid stuff, but it worked out in the end.”
She held her friend’s gaze. “I’m glad. But…I didn’t come back here to reconnect with your brother. I’m here to help Phoebe. I’m here to work.”
Sophia was getting tired of having to explain that to people. Just last night, she had to remind her mother of it again during their phone conversation.
“But you did reconnect, didn’t you?” Phoebe asked.
She shrugged, not wanting to get into it.
“Well, then, ask yourself this.” Lea leaned closer. “Do you like Ryder?”
“I…” She blew out a breath and recalled the laughter and heat they shared years ago, and how she’d returned to the city empowered. Her attitude had changed. Her outlook had changed. And because of that, her life had changed for the better. Ryder never pressured her, or complained. He seemed to like her for who she was, and it had been refreshing. She straightened her shoulders and nodded. “Yeah. I do like him. But, I wish he’d stop walking away.”
“Then give him a reason to stay,” Elle said, placing another plate of cake onto her empty one.
“What?” She blinked.
“Make him not want to leave.” Lea set a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to talk sex, because this is my brother and…you know…eww. But, from what I just witnessed, and what you’ve just told us, he is fighting his attraction to you.”
“Even if that were true, why bother? I’m only here for the summer,” she said. “My life is in New York. His is here.”
Laughing, Lea shrugged. “So? That’s exactly how it is for me and Ben. But we’re making it work. Quite well, actually.”
“There’s a difference though,” she felt obliged to point out. “You and Ben love each other. Ryder and I, well, it’s more of a physical type attraction.” The kind where she wanted to rip his clothes off and lick every ridge, every muscle. Every inch. Twice. But, she couldn’t tell his sister that, although, she was pretty sure, by the smirk on the woman’s face, she knew.
“All the more reason for you to confront him the next time he tries to kiss and run.” Lea grinned. “Pin his ass down.”
A small flicker of disappointment fluttered through her belly. “I doubt there’ll be a next time.”
