“The little jerk darted out across the road.”
“His nuts must have been on the other side.”
“His nuts were nearly under my tires.” Ryan quipped, making Lisa burst out laughing.
“I bet he had a story to tell his squirrel friends today.”
“They were nearly reading his obituary in the Squirrel News.”
She was pleased that Ryan’s charming humor was still there.
“Where are you? At home?”
“Yeah, I’m making burgers, fucking starving. Did you eat?”
Lisa glanced down at the now-empty tub. “Does ice cream count?”
“That’s all you’ve eaten?”
“I grabbed a deli sandwich between clients. I’m working from home tomorrow. I’ll be able to prepare something substantial. I just eat whatever is easy to grab when I’m out.”
“You need regular food, babe.”
“Yes, Chef Ryan, I’ll keep that in mind.” She sassed and heard his laughter.
As she heard him preparing food while Ryan explained his actions, she scrolled back to the group chat and stifled a laugh.
Kylie: Did we lose Lisa?
Monroe: Has she fallen asleep again in front of one of her dramas?
Scarlett: Who is the new Asian boy flavor this month she’s in love with?
Nina: If you scroll up, she posted a pic. He’s taller than our boys.
Monroe: Sooooo handsome, too. I’d look at him twice.
Monroe: Lisa likes them younger
Nina: Our stealthy cougar babe.
Laughing, reading back through the chat, she told Ryan. “Hold on one second, Ryan; the girls are slandering me in the group chat.”
“What are they saying?”
She walked through to the kitchen to dispose of her snack container, carrying the phone. “They’re calling me a cougar because I showed them a photo of a younger guy I like.”
She imagined her eyelashes freezing from the icy tone of Ryan’s voice, which rumbled through her like the clash of cymbals.
“Which fucking guy?”
Lisa blinked, perched on a kitchen stool, her thumbs paused on the keys. His tone ran over her skin, leaving her lips lax and dry.
“Lisa?Which guy?”
“Oh. It’s just an actor in my Korean show I’m currently watching.”
“Ah,” was all he replied, with no hint of coldness now. And for a split second, she had the idea he’d sounded jealous.
