“Let’s go get to know his friends a little better, shall we?” I say, feeling a spark of inspiration as the alcohol starts singing in my veins.
Sasha’s eyes light up with mischief. “Oh, I see where you’re going with this. Get the dirt on him from the people who know him best.”
“Exactly.” I smooth down my dress and toss my hair back. “Time to level the playing field.”
Navigating through the sea of tattooed bodies, we make our way across the crowded room. I can feel Ryder’s eyes tracking me, but I keep my focus on my intended targets.
We make it across the room in record time and sidle up to the booth. “Mind if we join you?”
Claire’s face breaks into a wide grin. “Not at all. We were just talking about you, actually.”
“All good things, I hope.” I slide in next to Lizzy while Sasha takes a seat beside Claire.
“Of course.” Lizzy says, moving over to make room. “We were just saying how refreshing it is to see Ryder interested in someone for more than just a minute.”
“Oh?” I casually take another sip of my drink. “Is that unusual? Him being with me?”
“Unusual?” Claire snorts. “Try unprecedented. I’ve known that man for years, and I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.”
My heart flutters traitorously in my chest. “And how does he look at me?”
“Like you’re the light in his dark,” Lizzy quips.
“Or like he wants to devour you whole,” Claire adds with a wicked grin. “Which, based on the smudge of lipstick on your chin, he might have already done that.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks as I swipe at my face.
“But it’s nice to see him happy,” Claire sighs. “After everything he’s been through, he deserves it.”
Genuinely curious now, I ask, “What exactly has he been through? He doesn’t talk much about his past.”
Claire and Lizzy exchange a look.
“It’s not really our story to tell,” Claire says carefully. “But let’s just say his time in the Marines left some deep scars—and not just the physical.”
Lizzy fiddles with her glass. “Has he told you anything about his time in the Marines?”
“He has, but not in too much detail.” I take a tentative sip ofmy drink. “I think he’s been having nightmares, but he hasn’t said anything.”
Resting her arms on the table, Claire leans in. “Just let him know you’re there for him and you’re okay to listen. That’s all that matters in my book. He’ll confide in you when he’s ready. Just the fact that he’s been with you this long tells me he trusts you. Give him some more time to open up.”
“Thanks, Claire.”
“Of course. I like you, Noia. You’re good for him. I can feel it.”
Lizzy leans in. “I might have had a crush on him when I first started working here, but he made it clear we were just colleagues. Now he’s like a big brother to me, so if you hurt him…” She narrows her eyes. “I’ll make you bleed.”
I hear Sasha suck in a breath and my eyes go wide.
“Fuck’s sake, Liz,” Claire mutters.
Lizzy throws back her head and laughs. “Just kidding. I wouldn’t make you bleed. Much.”
I’m still trying to decide if Lizzy is joking when I hear the sound of deep laughter coming our way. I look up to see Ryder and Jax approaching our table wearing Cheshire grins.
Ryder’s eyes lock with mine. “You ladies having fun?”
I notice Jax giving Sasha a slow once-over, his lips curving into an appreciative smile. My best friend returns his gaze and I grin inside.
