" Did you tell Ellie yet?”
I lift my eyebrows. “There’s absolutely no way I’m telling Ellie that I slept with her brother. Her knowing that we kissed is enough. And we have so much happening right now, I can’t bother her with this.”
“That’s fair. But what about August? Are you gonna talk to him?”
“I think I need some time to think about all of this. I’m not sure how to approach the situation, considering he was gone when I woke up. I’m kind of embarrassed.”
Hailey tilts her head, her brow knitted. “I really don’t think he would skip out on you for no reason. That’s not the kind of guy he is.”
“It still hurts.”
She rubs my arm for comfort. “I know.”
“I’m just gonna bury myself in the bakery. We’re supposed to open in two months, and I still need to work on the interior design. Maybe it will be a good way to distract myself.”
“I’m really excited for you, Ry. Maybe Dad will come to the opening?”
“We’d have to sneak him here without mom knowing.”
“She most likely has a radar on him.”
I let out a snort, and Hailey pulls me into a hug. Sometimes, getting a hug from my sister is enough to heal me. It’s healed me plenty of times. But this time, I’m not so sure.
THIRTY-FOUR
AUGUST
It’s been a week since I’ve spoken to Riley. I’ve kept myself busy with work and family, trying to get out of my head. After I came back to an empty apartment, I took the hint and left.
I’ve also decided to give her space. Maybe she’ll come back around. But I don’t want to be that clingy guy she ran away from. Every day, I think about what happened. Who initiated what? What words were said.
How did we go from becoming close again to this? I’ve lost her all over again and for what? One night of—amazing sex. But it’s more than that for me. I’ve succumbed to her. I’ve always wanted Riley, but now Ineedher.
Tonight is the first night I’m going to see her since that night. Saying I’m nervous is an understatement. I’m sweating buckets. Anxiety has bothered me all day, and I took a nap to try to make it go away, but it’s still hovering around like an annoying fly.
“Guys, our table is ready,” Rowan calls out to the group, and we follow the hostess.
I’m walking behind everyone while Riley stays up frontwith Ellie, sticking to her like glue. I’ve caught some glances, but it’s never enough. Not with her. I feel like we’re back at square one.
The table we’re sitting at is long: three chairs on each side and one at each end. Everyone takes a seat without thinking about who they’re sitting next to.
Looks like my luck keeps on giving. I’m sitting at one end of the table, and Riley’s at the other end. Our views are just on each other while everyone else sits beside us.
She looks even more beautiful than the last time I saw her. It feels like months since I’ve seen her, and I’m starved for her. Her wavy hair is touching her shoulders now.
We’re celebrating Ellie’s birthday, and Riley will take any occasion she can get to dress up and make herself feel gorgeous. She’s always gorgeous to me.
After we place our drink orders, I can’t help but look at her one more time, and when I do, my sister is saying something to her. And Riley’s confused expression becomes annoyed.
Ellie rises from her seat and walks to my end of the table.
Shit.Shit.Did Riley tell Ellie about us sleeping together? No. There’s no way. If that were the case, Ellie would have come banging on my door, scolding me.
“I need you to switch seats with me,” Ellie says matter-of-factly.
I blink a few times. “What? Why?”
“I need to speak with James about—wedding stuff.”
