“You were?”
He nodded. “And I married her.”
Chills fought to overthrow the nerves churning in her stomach. “You did?” she whispered, hating the way hope leaked into her voice.
“I did. It wasn’t easy. But the things that are worth it never are.”
She shook her head, still in denial. “It’s just a crush. We’ve been close for a long time. It’s nothing more. We’re not…” she didn’t dare look him in the eye.
Ryker crossed the room and placed a hand on her shoulder. He waited until she finally lifted her gaze to meet his. “Like I said, it’s not easy. Finding that person who means more to you than anyone can tear you up inside especially when they’re being a blockhead.”
Hallie laughed despite herself.
He smiled then. “Chin up. He’ll figure it out eventually. Just… be patient.”
She had been.
More than anyone would have known.
And the amount of courage she’d had to develop just to tell Jacob that she wanted something more had nearly ruined her.
But Ryker knew Jacob better than most. Was it possible that he was right? If she waited for Jacob to come around, could something good come from any of this?
She didn’t want to latch onto hope when it could possibly result in heartbreak.
Tears burned behind her eyes, and she blinked to prevent them from making an appearance. “I don’t know…”
“I do,” Ryker said with such conviction that she had a hard time not believing him. He squeezed her shoulder then stepped back. “I hope to see you again sometime. I know you can’t see it, but you… bring something to the table. Jacob cares for you.”
She knew he did. Just not in the way she wanted him to.
Not in the way she needed him to.
But she didn’t have the strength to tell Ryker that. So instead, she forced a smile. “I hope you two can get back to where you used to be.”
He returned her smile. “One day at a time.” Then he backed up toward the door, reached for the knob, and headed outside.
Hallie moved to the window and stared out at the pair of brothers. Ryker dropped down on the steps beside Jacob andthey chatted for a few moments. She could only hear their muffled voices—nothing to indicate their topic of conversation.
Part of her wondered if Ryker would give Jacob a lecture about settling down. But no. Jacob wouldn’t permit that. He had a ten-year plan and that didn’t include getting married or having children. His drive for his career was but one of the things she admired about him.
Jacob Hines knew what he wanted and he fought for it. Not many could say that about themselves when they were in their twenties. And it didn’t stop at his dreams. He made those dreams a reality. He was ruthless in chasing them.
She blew out a breath then walked away from the window and set to work cleaning up. As much as she wanted to believe what Ryker had said, she wasn’t going to put all her eggs in that basket. Maybe it was time to find her own dream.
Photography came to mind and a little flutter started in her chest. Could her hobby be something she could turn into more?
Maybe.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Being alonewith Ryker again felt different than before.
There were moments when things felt like they used to. When Ryker would tease her and their eyes would meet over a shared private joke. It hadn’t bothered Hallie at all which said a lot about the person she was.
Hallie was perfect.
The more time he spent with her under his roof had started to tip the scales for him. And seeing the way she fit with him and his brother…
