“Yes.He said he’s better than Austin by a long shot.”
“I’m sorry dear, but that’s not saying much.”
“Please, Mom.Keep an open mind.You haven’t even met him.”
“I will, sweetheart.It’s just hard for me to ignore that he didn’t take you to a doctor, and for some reason you aren’t able to come see me.”
Before we went to lunch, Ryan had told me more about Blood and his wife, Abby.
“You’re right, but he did call an ER nurse who’s married to one of the MC brothers.Then he set an alarm to wake us up every hour.”
“He slept at your townhouse?”
I explained how we wound up at his room.“As for being able to swing by for dinner, the person we assume is in charge called the office this morning and insisted I call him back.Until the threat is gone, Ryan’s insistent that I be somewhere he knows is safe.”
“He might be growing on me,” Mom said dryly.
I chuckled.“That’s good to know.”
“Yes, but I’m calling Chad tonight.”
“Mom.”
“Oh no, dear.He should have called me the minute he knew you were missing.”
“And worry you for nothing?”
“No, to worry me for everything that matters in my world.”
I sighed and fought off tears.“I’m sorry.Don’t beat him up about that.He doesn’t need a guilt trip.Heck, before he met Lark, he wanted you to meet him after I did.”
Mom laughed.“That man.Ever the matchmaker.”
“I’ll let you get to cooking.I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too.Bring Ryan to dinner on Thursday.I know that’s short notice, but I want to meet him.You’ll tell me Sunday’s out, Friday and Saturday are out for me, so tomorrow night it is.”
“Could you make it a brunch?He works at a bar and grille, you know.”
“We both work during the day, so not likely.Figure it out, sweetie.I’m meeting him, and it’s going to be sooner not later.Bye!”
Chapter 19
Distracted Me
Ryan
“Aw,shit,”Larkmuttered.
I stood next to him behind the bar and let my gaze follow to where he was staring across the room.
One of the rednecks had walked inside with his eyes fixed on me and Lark.This had to be Rusty.
On the one hand, it surprised me it took this long for him to come around, on the other hand, I couldn’t believe he wanted this to be public.
He stopped at the bar in front of us.“Both of you fucked up.”
Lark’s eyes were empty - he was a master of the dead-eyed stare.“We close in twenty minutes.If you aren’t ordering a beer, then leave.”
