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Her mother gave him a sly look. “And don’t even think you’re sleeping on my sofa, young man. I won’t have it.”
McKenzie shrugged. “I’ll take the sofa.”
Both her mother and Ryder launched into arguments of why that wasn’t happening. Fatigue washed over her. It really had been a long day and she was exhausted.
“I told you I’m a modern woman.” Her mother pointed Ryder in the direction of McKenzie’s old room.
He looked toward her for guidance.
Too tired to care what he thought, she told him, “You may as well follow me.”
Once her mother had given them both another round of hugs and closed the door behind her as she left the small bedroom, McKenzie’s shoulders sagged. She sank onto the edge of the full-sized bed to stare at the man who hadn’t moved from the spot near the door. Was he thinking of making a run for it yet?
She wouldn’t blame him.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“That. This.” She stretched her arm out to indicate the room where he was trapped sleeping with her. “I’ll take the floor and you can have the bed.”
“Quit stealing my lines.”
“You’re doing me a favor. I should be the one to take the floor.”
He shook his head. “Not happening.”
She gave him a tired smile. “Thank you, Ryder. Just know I appreciate you being here.”
His smile filled her with warmth.
“You’re welcome, McKenzie. It’s been interesting.”
No doubt. From her fear of flying to drooling on his shoulder to meeting her mother, he hadn’t seemed bored or shown the slightest irritation, just patience and a kindness that surprised her. Although, she wasn’t sure why as she’d witnessed the same traits demonstrated with how he treated his patients.
“You want the bathroom first?” she offered, pointing to a door on the opposite side of the room. “It’s a Jack and Jill, which means my cousin Jeff, his wife and kids are on the other side so watch the noise. Hopefully, they haven’t left it too messy, but check the lid just in case. They have a four-year-old son.”
Ryder chuckled. “Brings me back to my college dorm days. You sure you want me to go first?”
She nodded and watched as he grabbed his shaving kit bag from his suitcase, along with pajama bottoms and a T-shirt, before he headed into the bathroom.
Once the door closed, she fell back against her bed and stared at a spot on the ceiling.
Truth was Ryder had been a much better travel companion that she’d expected. Probably better than Paul would have been.
Paul would have complained about her drooling on his trendy clothes and leaving him to entertain himself during the flight.
Ryder had been...nice.
Nice? Calling his kiss nice seemed almost an insult. The man could kiss.
No wonder she’d done just fine during takeoff. His kiss had sent her mind soaring before the plane had ever left the ground.
Which confused her. Less than a month ago she’d hoped to someday marry Paul and spend her life with him. How was it Ryder’s kiss had electrified her, left her wanting more?
She shouldn’t want Ryder to kiss her. Shouldn’t be thinking about his kiss. He’d kissed her only to stop her panic attack. She’d kissed him only because she’d been panicked.
Knowing she was going to pass out if she didn’t get out of the bed, she forced herself up and began unpacking her suitcase and storing the items into her closet. She paused to smile at some of the things her mother still had hanging as if they were waiting on McKenzie to come home to wear them after all these years. A jacket with a basketball emblem emblazoned on the sleeve had her reaching out to touch the well-worn material.
