“That’s the plan. I put in for my leave, but you know how that goes.”
Hailey inhaled deeply then slowly blew out. “When are you going to talk to Goldie?” she asked.
“Hailey, let’s not go there,” Ryan replied.
“We have to. Goldie doesn’t say much, but I know he’s hurt about the way you’re acting. He saved my life, Ryan. You guys have been friends for years. This has become ridiculous. If it weren’t for Goldie, I would’ve been killed by that wacko.”
“I know,” he said in a low voice.
“Then…?”
“I texted him and told him I was grateful that he saved your life. But it doesn’t take away from the fact that he betrayed me.”
“Because he fell in love with me? So, he had to deny all feelings just to keep you happy? What about me? I have to walk away from a great guy who treats me like I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to him? I know you’re hung up about his past, but that’s just what it is—his past. Goldie and I are making our memories in the present. If he were such a horrible guy, why in the hell were you best friends with him all these years?”
“I didn’t say he was a horrible person. He’s just not the best bet for a woman. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“He’s not hurting me. As a matter of fact, he’s the only guy who hasn’t hurt me. Give me some credit for knowing what I want. Life can’t give us guarantees against being hurt, you know that.”
Ryan’s sigh crackled over the phone. “Let’s see how things go. That’s the best I can give you.”
“I’ll take it. I can’t wait until you’re stateside. I miss you a lot.”
“Me too. I’m really pushing hard for the Christmas leave. They’ve canceled me the last three years, so I figure they owe me.”
“All of us being together for the holidays would be awesome. Mom and Dad would be ecstatic.”
“I’ll let you get back to your dinner. I gotta go. Just wanted to hear your voice. I was missing home.”
When they hung up, an emptiness filled her as it always did after they spoke. She took several deep breaths before going back into the restaurant.
“How’s your brother?” Fallon asked.
“Okay. I wish he’d come back home. I hate thinking of him over there.” Hailey motioned the waitress for another merlot.
“Is he still pissed at Goldie?” Raven asked.
Hailey nodded. “But he didn’t pretend we had a bad connection like he always does when I bring up Goldie. This time he said he’d see how things go. That’s something, isn’t it?”
Breanna smiled. “It is. Your brother’s just concerned about you getting hurt, but he’s opening the door for reconciliation. It’ll come in time, when your relationship with Goldie is stronger.”
“I think that too. I figure when he comes for Christmas and sees that we’re still together and even closer, then he and Goldie will make amends.”
“It’ll happen for sure,” Fallon said while Raven bobbed her head in agreement.
After a few hours, Hailey waved goodbye to her friends and headed home. She and Goldie had found a beautiful home and had been living in it for a little over a month. Each time she walked into the house, a shiver of excitement would course through her. She still couldn’t believe that she and Goldie were sharing their lives together. It was like a dream come true for her.
Muscles deep inside her tightened when she saw his Harley parked in the garage. After reapplying her lipstick, she walked into the kitchen. She saw Goldie sprawled on the couch watching the motorcycle races on the sixty-four inch TV screen he insisted they had to have. He hadn’t heard her come in. She quickly shrugged off her skirt and blouse so she only wore her ivory lace bra, thong, and stiletto heels. Slipping her jacket back on, she walked into the family room then bent over the couch and kissed him.
Immediately, he pulled her down to him and wrapped his arms around her. “Did you have a good time?” he asked huskily.
“It was good. Did you miss me?”
“Yeah. I always do. Now give me your lips.”
She pressed her lips to his and they kissed deeply. When his hand slipped under her jacket and his eyebrows raised in surprise, she giggled against his lips.
“What the fuck, babe?” he rasped as his hand squeezed her butt.
