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“These things?” I ask as I order a beer from the bartender. Payton says these nights last pretty late so I should be okay to have one or two before switching to water. Then I’ll be good to go and hopefully can talk her into coming home with me.
“Sister nights. They do them every month. They’re supposed to be girls only, but Josh and I always crash them. Some of them complain, but it’s all goodheartedly and not meant to offend. Payton used to be the biggest offender actually, which is why I’m loving the shit out of her inviting you tonight.”
“I see. Well, since it sounds like a big deal that I’m here, I guess I’ll take that as a positive sign.”
“You should,” he says before taking a drink of his beer. “They’re in the back room, but I’ve seen Payton look out the window no less than a half dozen times.”
“Really?” I ask, looking just off to my right and noticing the window for the first time. There’s a handful of brunette women all clustered together, staring and smiling. Every once in a while, one of them says something that makes the others cackle.
“We’ve had an audience since you sat down. I’m surprised one of them hasn’t come out to refill drinks.” Ryan nods toward his bottle of beer. “This’ll be my last one and then I’ll switch to non-alcoholic. One thing I’ve learned about these sisters is when it’s time for girls’ night, they love to drink.”
“I figured as much. I’ll have one and then switch to water.”
“You can help chauffeur. It’ll be like your initiation into sisters’ night. But be ready. They love to talk about sex. Like all the time. They get all embarrassed when Grandma and Grandpa talk about it, but they’re just the same. The apples definitely didn’t fall too far from the tree.”
As he looks over at the window where the girls used to be standing and smiles fondly. Even though we can’t see them, it’s like he knows his woman is on the other side of the wall. My heartbeat picks up at the notion that I could be in the same boat as Ryan. I can picture her standing in front of whatever project they’re working on, with paint smeared across her cheek. I give my own involuntary smile, knowing that she’s there, and I’m right here thinking about her, waiting for her.
I’m falling in love with her, this I can no longer doubt. Shit, I’m probably already there, and that thought is both scary and exciting. I haven’t considered the possibly of falling in love after the mess Brooke left behind, but now? I’m anxious to see what transpires next.
We chat for the next hour, both switched to something other than alcohol long ago. Ryan fills me in on one of the jobs he’s working, as well as some of the home improvement projects he’s doing in his spare time at the home he purchased last fall with Jaime.
The lights flicker a few times as the storm outside picks up intensity. It’s been coming down in buckets for the better part of an hour, but I haven’t noticed much. I’ve enjoyed hanging out and talking with Ryan, though he was a little concerned that Josh hadn’t arrived yet. He also filled me in on Lexi’s husband, Chris, who rarely attends family functions, let alone sisters’ nights.
All and all, it’s a pretty good night.
It only gets better when the door opens to the backroom and the woman I’ve been fantasizing about walks into the bar, a wide smile across her face.
Yep, I’m pretty sure my heart is already gone.
