Page 35

“You bought me.”

I laugh.

“Predictable isn’t the word I’d use for a woman who spent twenty grand on me after three margaritas.”

“It was technically Lila’s fourth margarita.”

“Ah. That changes everything.”

I smile. Then it fades. “I think Evan wanted me to be someone I wasn’t.”

Ryder doesn’t make a joke this time.

“He wanted to travel more. Go out more. Be more spontaneous.” I swallow. “He wanted other things too.”

Ryder waits. I appreciate that he doesn’t ask.

“He thought I was too careful.”

“Were you?”

“Probably.”

“With him?”

I nod.

His jaw shifts. “He pressured you?”

“Not exactly.”

“Clara.”

“He didn’t force me.”

“Didn’t ask that.”

I look at him. Ryder’s eyes are hard now.

“He just…kept asking. We were together two years. He thought eventually I’d be ready.”

“For sex?”

My face burns. “Yes.”

Ryder says nothing.

“We did other things,” I add quickly.

One dark eyebrow rises.

“Oh my God. Forget I said that.”

“Absolutely not.”

I pull the blanket over my face.

He laughs. “Come out.”