Chapter Twelve
In the morning,Riley called and begged off on getting together that night.He said he had a lot to take care of at the ranch.Letty was disappointed, more than she should have been, but she was aware of how much work went with ranching, so she wasn’t terribly surprised.
She called Cici when she had a break at work.“Hi, Cici.Are you busy?”
“No.I’m staring at the computer trying to figure out my plot.It’s not working.I’ve been at it over two hours, and I’ve managed to write three words.”
“Do you have plans tonight?”
“Logan’s on call, so no, I’m free.”
“Want to meet me for a drink?We could go to the pub at the Graff.”
“As long as we can eat there too.”
“Great.Meet you there about six thirty.”
The mood at the pub was different from that at Grey’s.The bar at the Graff was Irish-themed with green leather booths and a 400-year-old bar that ran the length of the room.It was dark and cozy and the food was good, often Irish-themed, but nothing fancy.The Graff saved the gourmet meals for its classy, elegant dining room.
Letty ran a little late, but she wasn’t worried.Cici was late more often than not.She tended to get caught up in her writing and lose track of time.To her shock, Cici was there before her.She really must be having a hard time with her book.
“Hey, sorry I’m late.Have you ordered anything yet?”
“No, I just got here.”
They ordered drinks and snacks.Wine for both of them, Guinness beer cheese dip with large soft pretzels, and the pub’s special corned beef puffs.
“I take it you didn’t work out your plot problem,” Letty said after their food and drinks arrived.
Cici frowned.“No.Do you mind talking about it?”
“Since when have I ever minded talking about books?”
Cici laughed.“True.”She caught Letty up on the story and then they talked about her problem.
“Thank you so much,” Cici said some time later.“You always give me so much to think about.”
Letty smiled.“That’s my job.I’m just glad I can help.You know I love your books.”
“Thanks.That makes me feel good.”
“What’s up with you?When you called, you sounded like you had something you needed to talk about.”
“I do.It’s Riley.”
“What’s wrong?Is the sex bad?”
Letty laughed.“No.Trust you to think of that first.It’s great.”Amazing.Better than anything she’d experienced.Which was part of the problem.
“Oh, good.Good sex is a requirement for flings.Is it still a fling?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk about.Last night was the first time.It was really hot, really stellar.But later on, when we were talking, Riley said he hadn’t been with anyone in a long time.And when I asked him why he said he was waiting for me.”
“Uh-oh.What did you say?”
“I kind of flipped out.I mean, it’s not like we’ve been together for long.And he knows this is casual.Which I said and it pissed him off.He said it wasn’t a big deal and if I was going to freak out over everything he said, it wasn’t going to work.”
“You’re afraid he wants more than you do.”
