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And I hate that I’m defending him still. Even it’s just in my mind.
When Ryan brings me a mug of steaming hot chocolate and a plate of peanut butter cookies, I inhale the delicious scent and close my eyes, taking a sip.
“Thank you, Ryan. This is delicious.”
“You’re welcome. I’m sorry about, well, you know.” His blue eyes are shining with genuine concern. “I’ll leave you girls be, and I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”
“Thanks, babe,” Ash says.
Nodding, he turns and walks out of the living room, leaving Ashley and I to eat cookies and drink hot cocoa.
∞∞∞
Waking up on the couch to the scent of something delicious, my stomach growls, and I rub my eyes awake.
“Hey there, sleepy-head.” Popping one eye open, I see Ashley grinning down at me from behind the sofa.
“Hey,” I say groggily, but I can’t muster a smile right now.
“Ryan made breakfast before he left for work.”
“It smells amazing.”
“Then get your ass up. Come on.” Ashley rips the blanket off of me and I groan, curling into the couch at the sudden rush of cold air.
“Ashley!” I yell. “What the hell?”
“No moping. Let’s go.”
Letting out a frustrated sigh, I roll off the couch and stand. Rubbing my eyes at the bright sunlight, I drag my feet into the kitchen and take a seat at one of the stools at the island.
“Here you go,” she says, placing two plates in front of me. One with a giant Belgian waffle, and the other with scrambled eggs and crispy bacon slices.
“Thanks.” Digging in, I stuff my face with the fluffy waffle, and let the melted butter and maple syrup sooth my frayed heart.
“Good to see he hasn’t hindered your appetite.” She laughs, and I stop chewing, pinning her with a hard stare.
“Sorry. I know.” She grimaces apologetically.
“It’s fine.” I bite into a piece of crispy bacon, and close my eyes at how good this is. “Ryan is amazing. You’re lucky.”
“I know.” She smiles, and then wipes it away, her eyes looking at me with pity.
“No. Don’t do that.”
“What?”
“Don’t look at me like that. I’ll be fine. I promise,” I tell her, despite the fact that my heart feels hollow and my mind is a pile of mush as it goes back and forth on last night.
Did I imagine it all? Did I read it wrong?
But no. Nope. I didn’t.
I saw him touch her, and she touched him. And he didn’t doanything.
Cutting into my waffle with a little more vigor than necessary, I finish my breakfast off even though it tastes like acid on my tongue now, and sits like lead in my stomach.
“I’m going to go get your stuff in a little while. Has he tried to contact you?”
