Well, that technically was the truth. That's when this whole sleeping with Lucy thing began. But what about the summer when they hadn't even talked, or the fact that he thought the whole thing had completely crumbled until Lucy knocked on his door last night? How would they explain all that? He would have to think about it later. Just stick to the story he created, which was technically accurate, and hope Sydney's shocked look didn't mean he had broken her brain. Because right now, she looked like she had forgotten how to say wor—
"June?" Sydney yelled.
Nevermind, she remembered how to say words.
"June."
Lucy walked out of his room with her pants on, which kind of disappointed him, and his jersey, which definitely did not. She put her arm around his waist, and he instinctively gave her a small peck on her forehead.
"Why didn't you say something?" Sydney asked them.
Ryan felt Lucy's body go tense against his for just a moment, and he squeezed her shoulder to give her some reassurance.
"First, we didn't know what this was, and then there was the plea agreement with John and your engagement." Lucy gave a warm smile to her friend. "We just wanted to find the right time to tell you."
Ryan nodded in agreement, giving her more support that this was all just fine. "We talked last night and decided maybe it was time."
"But we went to dinner last night," Sydney said.
"Yeah, we did," Lucy said. "And then I went down to get my car from the parking lot."
"You didn't take your car home," Sydney said.
Lucy shook her head.
"You took the elevator from the parking garage up here instead."
"Although I did wait a few minutes before I came up so I wouldn't run into you," Lucy replied with a bit of amusement in her voice.
Andy continued to stare at them, still trying to make all the pieces fit into place in his mind. He seemed to be confused by all of it. But Sydney's brain seemed to be working again and she finally gave the two of them a smile.
"So Andy and I were about to go get some food," Sydney said in a voice that had suddenly turned perky and sweet.
"You should come with us. You know, if you want to," he added hesitantly.
"Um, yeah, that sounds good," Lucy said.
She looked up to Ryan and he smiled down at her. He knew damn well she was starving after their work out last night, but she was still playing coy with her friends. Still trying to mess with them a little bit.
"We would love that," Sydney told them as she reached for Andy's hand. "We'll wait outside in the hall for you?"
"Yeah," Lucy replied.
They watched the newly engaged couple give them awkward smiles before hustling out of the condo and closing the door behind them. He could feel Lucy's body relax against his as her head fell against his bicep.
"That was a lot harder than I thought it would be."
She looked up and smiled at him, but it wasn't her normally confident smile, which made him feel like something went wrong there. Maybe it wasn't as much fun to play that game with his neighbors after all.
"You OK?" Ryan asked her.
"I'm good," she said quietly.
"You sure?"
Her smile got bigger and a little more reassuring. "Yep." She gave his bicep a little squeeze. "Now get dressed because I really am hungry."
Ryan laughed. "That's my girl. Let's get you some food."
