lololol
Tossing my phone on the couch beside me, I lean back and stare up at the ceiling. I can’t be mad that they are teasing me about Ryan. I would be the first person to give any of them a hard time.
Standing, I go to the fridge to grab a bottle of juice, and I am shocked to see it’s packed to the max. I knew Ryan had stuff delivered, and that he went overboard on cough and cold items. But this is something else. Shutting the door, I slowly open the pantry cupboard. Jeepers. It’s overflowing with food. I couldn’t put another thing in there if I tried.
When I hear the trailer door open, I spin around to see Ryan.
Smiling warmly at me, he says, “You’re up. Are you feeling better?”
He places two cups of coffee and a bakery box on the table, then a couple of bags on the floor before he kicks off his shoes.
“Come. I brought you breakfast.” Gesturing to a chair, he grins before saying, “You should eat some healthy food before you have a cupcake.” When I don’t move, he takes a few strides towards me and clasps my shoulders. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” His hands move to my cheeks and then forehead as he checks me for a fever.
“I’m okay,” I say. His face falls when I push his hands away and sidestep him. “Remember earlier when you said you had some groceries delivered with all of that?” I gesture with myhand towards the table, irritation creeping into my voice. “You didn’t mention you ordered the whole damn store. What the fuck, Ryan?”
“Except for coffee,” he chuckles as he bites his bottom lip.
“What?” I ask with exasperation in my voice.
“When I ordered the whole damn store, I forgot to ask for coffee.” He smirks as he lifts one shoulder.
“Are you kidding me right now?” I shout, stomping my foot. “I’m throwing a tantrum because you have overstocked my cupboards and fridge and I don’t know how to process your kindness. And you’re still upset that there’s no coffee.”
“Take all the time you need to think about it,” he says calmly. “While you do, how about we eat our breakfast and then you can enjoy the cupcake I picked up for you. It’s your favourite—black forest with a cherry on top.” Taking my hips in his hands, he spins me towards the table and pats my butt.
“Ryan, you don’t understand. I don’t have the money to pay for all of that.”
“I don’t need money, Beck,” he leans in and whispers behind my ear.
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
“Because I like you,” he says simply.
What does that even mean—he likes me? Does he like me, like me, or am I his buddy? Is it just the forced proximity we have found ourselves in over the past few weeks? Why do I feel like a teenager with my first crush? Ugh, I hate not knowing. I could just ask him. That would be the adult thing to do. But I don’t want to look stupid if this is no more than two friends hanging out.
He interrupts my spiral when he places my food in front of me and he says, “Is now a good time or a bad time to tell you that while I was out, I picked you up a coffee maker?”
“What the hell?”
After we finish our breakfast, Ryan finds the perfect spot for my “new coffee pot.” I must admit it has some cool features and takes up hardly any counter space.
Sitting on the couch, he drapes his arm along the back and asks, “So what do you want to do for the rest of the day?”
“Do?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him. “I assumed you would go home after breakfast.”
“Yeah. I was thinking we could watch a movie or one of those true-crime documentaries that you like.” Reaching, he grabs my hand and pulls me towards him until I’m standing between his legs. Looking up at me, he says, “Or if you are tired, we can have a nap.”
Stepping away, I move to sit on the couch sideways so I can face him. “What’s going on? I’m feeling better today. Don’t you want to leave? I’m sure you must have things to do.”
“Not really. I’m sure you’ve noticed, but I don’t have a lot of friends.” He raises his hand, stopping me before I can say anything. “No, that came out wrong. I have friends. Good ones. They are just busy with their own lives. Carson has the farm. Riot’s always working and helping Claire with Ben. Dillon,”—he chuckles—“well, Dillon has Harold to deal with. And I don’t know Logan well, but he has a lot on his plate too.”
Reaching across the small distance between us, he takes my hand in his. “I don’t think I realized how much time I’ve been spending alone. So…yeah. Even if you say you’re feeling better, I would like to spend more time together. I enjoy hanging out with you.”
Rolling my eyes, I say, “Even when I’m coughing all over you?”
“Yes, even then. But if you want me to leave, say the word and I’ll go.”
“I like hanging out with you too. Can I pick the documentary?” I ask, bouncing in my seat. “There’s a new one that was recently released that I really want to see.”
