“Do you remember the time you stole your dad’s car?” He laughs with his head thrown back. “That was epic.”
“Vaughan, can you not?” Ryan pleads, running a hand through his hair.
“No, I want to hear,” April insists, then giggles. “I can’t believe you were bad boys.”
That’s all the encouragement Vaughan needs to continue. “Ryan’s parents were at some charity event when he stole one ofhis dad’s cars right out of the garage and went for a joyride. How old were you? Sixteen?” He doesn’t wait for an answer before continuing. “I guess it doesn’t really matter how old he was; he didn’t have his license yet. When his parents got home, they reported the car missing. The police eventually caught up with him, and he led them on a high-speed chase down country back roads. To escape, he turned off the lights and ditched the car in a farmer’s field. Did your old man ever find out it was you?”
“I don’t remember. Probably.” He sighs loudly.
“You were such a shit disturber.” Vaughan shakes his head. “One of our best adventures was that time you, Lily, and I…”
“Enough, Vaughan,” Ryan shouts, slamming his fist down on the table, hard enough to make the glasses rattle. His chest heaves with every breath.
April’s eyes widen in surprise as Vaughan raises his hands. “I’m so sorry; I didn’t think. I was just having fun.”
Ryan lifts his glass of whiskey and throws the entire contents back while holding eye contact with his friend. “No more. I’d like to leave the past where it belongs.”
A wordless conversation passes between them. I’m not sure what’s happening, but I can feel tension radiating off Ryan’s body. Never have I ever seen him lose his temper. Even when I purposely annoy him, he has never raised his voice at me. I feel an overwhelming need to help defuse the situation before it escalates any further.
“Oh, I love this song,” I say, leaning into him farther. “Dance with me, Pretty Boy?”
“You know I don’t dance,” his voice rumbles as he runs a finger around the rim of his empty glass.
“I’m well aware, but I think you’ll make an exception tonight. Please.”
Searching my eyes, he slowly nods, agreeing to my request. Sliding out of the booth, I take his hand and lead him onto thecrowded dance floor as the chorus to a popular ’80s rock ballad plays. If I didn’t know any different, I would swear it was the original artist singing on stage.
I loop my arms around his neck, and he hesitates for a moment before taking my hips in his large hands and pulling me closer.
“Look at us dancing. It only took me five years, but here we are,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood a little. I wonder if he remembers that night at Bob’s the way I do.
His chest rises in a huff, but he doesn’t take my bait.
“Are you okay?” I ask softly, close to his ear.
Sighing, he says, “Don’t pay too much attention to Vaughan. He likes to embellish the truth.”
“I don’t know about that,” I say, breathing him in. The bergamot in his cologne mixed with the sweet smell of the whiskey on his breath is heady.
“I’m fine.” We sway back and forth, listening to the music before he says, “We grew up together. From grades four through twelve, we were roommates at boarding school, and every summer we lived at our families’ cottages on the same lake. We were inseparable. Sometimes when we get together and have had a few drinks, he gets lost in the past. I can’t do it tonight—some memories need to remain memories. I’m sorry I shouted.”
“Are you sure that’s all it is?” When he doesn’t answer, I ask, “Who is Lily?”
Pulling me closer, he leans the side of his head against mine. “She was my…girlfriend. It was a long time ago. I don’t want to talk about her, okay?”
“Okay,” I agree. “Hey, Ryan, did you know Vaughan and April were seeing each other?”
I’m not mad at her for not telling me Ryan would be here tonight, but I don’t like the idea of her playing matchmaker and trying to force us together either. I made it very clear to hertwo days ago that he’s not into me. He was just being kind and helping me out.
“No, but I’m not surprised. Ever since his divorce a few years ago, the women he dates have gotten younger and younger. He’s becoming a walking cliché.”
“April said his son introduced them.”
I feel his laughter vibrate through my chest, and he slides his hands farther around me. “Jesus, the plot thickens.”
“Well, I am completely scandalized.” I chuckle into his shirt.
“No, you’re not. You don’t fool me,” he scoffs. “It would take a lot more than that to scandalize you.”
