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“Ryker?”
She pointed at me and laughed. “Ah ha! So you do think he’s hot.”
I giggled. “Well, I think anyone with eyes would agree.”
“Why don’t you do something about that, then? Maybe go on a date with him? Why should everyone else get to have all the fun? Just because you’re busy with the Contention and planning other people’s dates doesn’t mean you can’t have one of your own.”
“I don’t know. I mean, maybe once the Contention is over…” The idea of spending one of Garrett’s last nights as a bachelor out with another man didn’t sit well with me.
“No, I think you should go sooner than that. He’s been asking about you.”
“He has? No way.”
Kayden nodded. “Sure has. Asked if you were single.”
“Are you just messing with me, trying to make me feel better?” The old Jessica would have never believed that one incredibly hot man was interested in her, let alonetwo.
“No, seriously. He asked me after you brought him back from the tour of the town. You should go out with him,” she insisted. “See what happens.”
I sighed. How could I say no to that without making her think something really was wrong with me? “I guess if he asks, I won’t say no.”
Kayden grinned. “That can be arranged.”
* * *
The next threedays passed in a blur—my days spent hard at work, my nights full of Garrett. Despite my resolve to not let myself fall in any deeper, when he showed up at my door at the end of the day, his eyes full of longing, I couldn’t help myself.
I knew it had to stop, that we couldn’t keep this up for much longer. But each day that passed brought us closer to the end. Closer to him choosing a mate. Closer to our lives going in separate directions. And closer to a heartbreak I didn’t know how I would handle.
Still, I couldn’t resist, couldn’t send him away. We stayed up late every night, talking about anything and everything except the Contention. We laughed and talked about our lives, our hopes and dreams—though those were much vaguer, and I had to be careful not to think about how his future included someone besides me.
It was torture having these moments together, but as I fell asleep in his arms night after night, I couldn’t bring myself to regret it or make myself stop. Soon enough, I wouldn’t have a choice, and I wanted to treasure what I had as long as possible.
The morning before the first of the family visits, we were all at breakfast when Ryker leaned in and gave me a flirtatious grin. “You’ve been working pretty hard lately.”
“Sure have.” I gave him a friendly smile in return. “But everyone’s social calendars depend on me, so what’s a girl to do?”
He laughed, glancing behind me to where I knew Garrett sat with Reagan, Elizabeth, and Melissa. “You should take some time for yourself. Maybe a nice dinner in town?”
I nodded, wiping my mouth with my napkin. “Yeah, it’s always nice to take a break.”
“How about tonight?”
I blinked. “Sorry, what?”
Ryker smiled, all bright-white, perfectly straight teeth. I wondered how many women he hooked with that smile. “What I mean is, would you like to go to dinner tonight? With me.”
The conversation at the table behind me came to an abrupt halt. I glanced over my shoulder to find Garrett staring at me then Ryker, his brows knitted together. I looked back at Ryker, noting how he frowned as he looked between Garrett and me.
Oh shit. After everything we’d done to keep our secret, it would all be for nothing if Garrett didn’t stop glaring daggers at Ryker.
I cleared my throat, wearing a big smile on my face, doing the only thing I could to neutralize the situation—and hopefully keep people from questioning the heavy awkwardness that hung in the air.
“That sounds great, Ryker. I’d love to.” My voice was too loud, too high-pitched, and my stomach twisted in knots when I felt, rather than saw, Garrett stand to his feet. I held my breath as his footsteps pounded the marble floor, but I didn’t dare look behind me as he stalked out of the room.
“Great,” Ryker said smoothly. He was either oblivious to what just happened or he was well-mannered enough not to comment. “I can’t wait.”
“Yeah, great,” I murmured then shoved a giant forkful of pancakes in my mouth to avoid further conversation.
