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“I bet you don’t get much privacy.” Faith pressed to his side and soaked up his heat. The air had cooled, and she was still in her shorts.
“Not much unless it’s inside my house. You cold?”
“I’m okay.”
“Liar.” He lifted her, then turned and put her between his legs.
“Ryan—”
“I’m sharing body heat; be quiet.”
His big arms settled around her, and Faith sighed as he surrounded her.
“You don’t have to speak to your father, Ryan.”
“I know, just as I know Hope wants me too.” His chin rubbed over the top of her head. It was almost like they were close again. Lovers. People who had the right to do this with each other. Faith knew it wouldn’t last but didn’t fight it. Right then she wanted to be this close to him.
“She’s happy and believes that you connecting with your father and siblings will make you happy.”
“I don’t want him in my life, end of story.”
“Understood.”
“He didn’t want us when we needed him most; now I don’t want him. Just because he’s decided I’m worthy of his time doesn’t mean I have to forgive and forget, Faith.”
“I get that, and the fact that you’ve probably got friends in LA. I sometimes think friends turn into siblings.”
“The ones here especially.”
Faith laughed. “The in-your-face type of friend.”
“Exactly. Now, tell me, why are you not married or settled with a partner, Faith?”
“That’s a very personal question, and one I could ask you right back.”
“What about if I make you coffee and we discuss it further?”
“I’d take the coffee, but I’m still not talking about it,” Faith said.
“Come on, it’s cold. Not sure how we spent hours in here as children.” He nudged her out. “The cabin is not far. We’ll have a coffee, then head back to Hope.”
“You should call your mom and see what’s happening.”
“Good idea.”
He took her hand again, and she let him. The tension between them had eased, even if it was only for a night. No points needed to be scored; both were raw and needed friendship, not animosity.
The cabin light was on when they entered.
“Avast, ye scurvy mates!”
“Hey, Syd,” Ryan said to the bird sitting on top of his cage.
Faith went over and scratched the back of his head. He made a sound between a purr and a growl.
“Hey, I feed you, and you pecked me last night when I did that,” Ryan protested, heading to the kitchen.
“I love this place.” Faith looked around.
