Page 61 of See My Words

Chris patted his shoulder reassuringly, smiling. “No, that you’re adventurous. That you go with the flow and you’re not too hung up on rule-following. That’s going to be important out in the field.”

Rylan blinked. “Wow. Well, if you get all that from it…great.”

Chris chuckled. “I also saw how you reacted the night Scott was hurt. Quick, decisive, assertive. Everything that makes up who you are, including your talent, is going to take you places, Rylan.” He paused, his voice dropping to a murmur. “You need to come to Africa with me.”

Rylan couldn’t help but glance at Scott, who was talking animatedly with Brian, his hands waving in the air as he drove home whatever point he was making. “But how can I leave him, Chris, when I’ve spent this entire weekend picking at every single scab he has? He might not look it, but he’s oozing blood right now. If he needs me, there’s no choice to make here.”

Chris opened his mouth as if to say something else and then thankfully subsided, giving Rylan’s shoulder a pat before sitting back in his seat. Minh laughed at something Julia said, drawing both their attention, and Rylan leaned back over to Chris, changing the subject.

“So what about you and Sunshine over there? Hot and heavy ain’t even the words for it.”

Chris’s lips quirked. “It’s just sex, Rylan.”

Rylan held his gaze until Chris looked away. “Are you sure about that?”

Chris shrugged. “There’s not much else I can offer him. But you’re right about one thing: Minh is a ray of sunshine. Pure light and—warmth. No way my jaded, cynical old self is going to keep him interested for long.”

“Don’t be fooled, Chris. He’s not some flighty little party bitch. He’s smart, and there are lots of amazing layers to him.”

“I know. We hardly slept last night, we talked so much. He asked questions about Africa and had some really interesting insights—”

“Just sex, huh?” Rylan raised an eyebrow, amused when Chris’s cheekbones took on a red tinge. “Keep telling yourself that.”

“He’s so young and vibrant, Rylan. He deserves—”

“Oh, Jesus, are you on that ‘he deserves better than me’ train, too? You and Scott need to form a club.”

Chris blinked at him, and Rylan put his hand on his arm. “Maybe it is just sex, and it won’t go anywhere beyond that. That’s fine. Just don’t decide for Minh how he should feel.”

Rylan watched as Chris absorbed that.

“Guilty,” Chris said with a rueful smile. “But will you promise to at least think about Africa? You’re talented enough, Rylan, that you won’t need my internship to succeed, but I’d love to see your career fast-tracked.”

“Someone of your caliber taking an interest in my career?” Rylan squeezed his arm. “It’s beyond anything I ever expected, and I’m more grateful than you’ll ever know. No matter what happens, please believe that. It’s just—Scott needs to know that for once in his life, he comes first. With me, he’ll always come first.”

“He’s a lucky man, Rylan.” Chris patted his hand as their server appeared with steaming plates of huevos rancheros, chilaquiles with eggs and crema, and a huge basket of churro doughnuts.

After the plates were distributed, she peered over Scott’s shoulder and asked in a flirtatious voice, “So what’re you two working on so intently?”

Scott gave her his usual dazzling smile. “We’re planning a wedding—” He gave a discreet glance at her name tag. “—Dawn.”

“On a napkin?”

Rylan choked on his bite of egg, eyes watering. Scott patted his back until the coughing fit eased, saying to Dawn ruefully, “Last-minute thing. Long story. I think we have everything figured out except the music.”

Dawn rested a hip against the table, listening as Scott detailed plans for the simple outdoor ceremony by the creek. “I guess we’ll have to see if we can borrow some Bluetooth speakers and then find the wedding march on Spotify to play over someone’s phone.”

“Or we could all hum it.” Minh demonstrated loudly, to Julia’s wincing disgust.

Dawn shuddered, too. “Or not.” She brightened, standing up straight. “You know what could be awesome? My uncle plays the Native American flute, and it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. We’re Tohono O’odham. Flute playing is a huge part of our nation’s culture.”

“Has he played weddings before?” Julia’s eyes were wide. “That would be amazing.”

Dawn nodded. “Lots of them. People come here from all over the world to get married.” She paused. “Would you like me to call him?”

“Yes, please,” Julia replied, beaming. “I’d love that.”

It wasn’t long until a short, rotund man with dark hair and kind, sparkling eyes walked in. Dawn greeted him with a kiss on the cheek and poured him a cup of coffee while he pulled up a seat. Soon he was deep in conversation with Brian and Julia, their hands in his.