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“You’ll find it’s not as glamorous as you think. But I enjoy it.”
“Are you kidding? You’re an artist.”
“Well, I’ve won a few awards in my day.” He grinned again.
I sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Now or never. “Ryan, could I ask you question?”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
I bit my lip. “I was wondering about your brother. Talon. He seems… I don’t know.”
“Have you had a run-in with him?”
Well, yeah. He kissed me twice in the middle of the night. “No, no, nothing like that. He’s the one who picked me up at the airport a few days ago. He was just so…”
“A little off?”
I nodded. “Yes, that’s it exactly.”
Ryan blew out a breath. “You know he was in Iraq for a while.”
“Yeah, I know. I figured that’s what it was.”
“Well…there were things before then, even. But it’s Talon’s story to tell, not mine. If he’s bothering you, just ignore him.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. He’s not bothering me. I just would like to know more about him.”
“He’s pretty much a closed book.”
“I figured as much.” That armor I had sensed the first time I met him—so apparent, although invisible. I could feel it, as if it were a living, breathing entity enclosing him.
“Don’t let him get to you,” Ryan said. “He’s been through a lot. Just hang out with Marjorie, and starting tomorrow, you can hang out here with Marion and me and the rest of us. When did you say you get your bar results?”
“It could be as soon as a few weeks to a month. Or it could be longer. I frantically check the website every day to see if it’s been updated.”
Ryan laughed. “I imagine that’s pretty nerve-racking.”
“No kidding. Those were the most challenging two days of my life. And I’d better pass, because I am certainly never taking the damn thing again.”
“Well, if you don’t pass and you don’t want to take it again, maybe you can become a winemaker.” He smiled.
Gorgeous smile. Funny, though. It didn’t affect me at all. I didn’t feel any pull. It was Talon, who never smiled, who drew me like a magnet.
“I’ll have to think about that.” I laughed. “What time do you want me here tomorrow?”
“Let’s say nine for now. When things get busier, we start at eight, and sometimes even seven.”
“Not a problem. I can do that.” It would give me something to focus on. And I’d better start sleeping if I had to get up early, which meant no more midnight rendezvous with Talon.
All for the best.
I thanked Ryan again, stopped at the office and said good-bye to Marion, and drove back to the main house.
I walked in the front door. “Marj?” I called.
No response. I checked my watch. Noon. No wonder I was hungry. I walked into the kitchen, this time in broad daylight, and there was Talon sitting at the table, that adorable dog at his feet.
He was staring at a full glass of water.
