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Why hadn’t I gotten a job? At this point, it was just a knee jerk reaction. The parentals had never allowed me to work because church and school came first, but I hadn’t lived with either of them in months. Did they still have such a strong influence over my life?
“You know what, that’s a great idea. I just need to figure out what type of work I want to do.” Because doing anything where I interacted with tons of people on a regular basis wasn’t even remotely attractive to me. Waitressing, store associate, ice cream scooper, they all sounded like painful, horrible professions. Not to mention the attention that would be on them during peak hours.
I shuddered.
“I thought about getting a job too, but you know…” She turned desperate, large eyes on me. “My court date is just around the corner. I don’t know that I’d really be a decent committed worker when all my thoughts are on my future. An undecided future at this point.”
I raised my hand to pat her on the back, but my last-minute indecision had my hand hovering over her shoulder. When she saw it, she quirked a brow.
“What are you doing?”
“I was debating on whether to offer you comfort or not. Now you just made it awkward.” I sighed and dropped my hand back down to my side.
“It’s the thought that counts. And honestly, if you tell me you’re sorry or to let you know if you can do anything for me, I might punch you in the face.”
Blinking like a vacant-eyed doll, I watched her for a sign she was serious. Ihadbeen on the verge of telling her I was sorry she was going through this.
“Don’t look so shocked. I wouldn’t really hit you. Not my brother’s beloved girlfriend.” She rolled her eyes, but there was no heat behind the movement. “I might yell some graphic insults your way. Since I had to disclose what was going on with my school, the office ladies have been going out of their way to shower me with pity.” Her top lip curled.
“Pity sucks.” Ha! That was a better offer of comfort than overusedI’m sorry. Trinity was onto something here. Under her unknowing tutelage, I might just be able to offer normal sympathies in conversation.
“It does, large aching blue balls. I’m just ready for it to all be over with. No matter what the outcome, the waiting is the biggest punishment.” She pointed to a shoe store where Ryan could be seen through the glass and dangling shoes on strings in the front window. It was a great front window display, very creative, but something about seeing Ryan stand behind them gave him a GQ Tarzan in a fashion jungle vibe.
One of the workers edged up to him as he was browsing the center rack. When Trinity started to head for the door, I stopped her. She cast a confused glance over her shoulder, but I shook my head and shuffled her over to one of the benches.
I pushed her down to sit on it, but when I joined her, I couldn’t see him anymore. Cursing, I stood back up and took three unassuming steps toward the railing. Perfect, I could see everything now. Including the flirty smirk on the worker’s face.
“What are we doing? This is creepy.”
“Shh. I’m watching Ryan get hit on.” I waved her away. Ryan didn’t see it, but he was a total catch. The worker saw it though. He trailed his fingers over the back edge of the shoe as he shifted closer to Ryan.
Whatever they were talking about seemed intense. Ryan’s grin was dark, much darker than anything I’d ever seen him wear. But he never flirted with me, so that wasn’t completely surprising. However, he never looked at Pat like that either.
I brought my phone out and snapped a picture.
“What are you doing?” She whispered.
“Taking a picture. I want Ryan to see how hot he looks when he’s getting hit on. He’ll love it.” I text it to him before putting my phone away.
“Hm. Do that for me to. I could use the validation. But only if I also look hot and irresistible.” Trinity whistled. “Damn. He really knows how to reel them in. I should ask him for lessons instead of trying to follow in your hippie footsteps. Then there might actually be a situation where you can take pictures like that of me too.”
I burst out in laughter. Ryan was definitely the one to take notes from. While the guys found my awkwardness adorable, I wasn’t blind to believe everyone would. She’d have a much easier time learning the art of flirting from Ryan.
We watched for another ten minutes as Ryan made the guy laugh, touch arms and exchange numbers. When he walked out of the store, he didn’t seem shocked to find us watching him.
“Enjoy the show, ladies?” He crossed his arms and shot us a smug grin.
“That was hot to watch, and check your phone. I never realized I would enjoy being a voyeur so much.” Trinity tilted her head to glance at me. “Astrid, I never thought you’d be the one to show me new things.”
Ryan chortled as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and tugged me toward the escalator. “I saw it… Astrid is not only entertaining but keeping four very different men happy. She’s not as vanilla as you’d think. I refuse to believe it.” He stopped walking, then started up again. “Nah, don’t tell me if you are, because then all of my fantasies about your men will die a fiery death.”
“Ugh, let’s not talk about my brother like that, okay?” She shimmied her shoulders in a weird display of disgust.
“Oh, that’s right. I keep forgetting Thatcher is your brother. I guess you two don’t do sex talk then?” Ryan leered at us playfully.
“No. I don’t even do that with you, not really,” I piped up.
He groaned. “I know,” he said, drawing out know. “I wish you did. I want all the details on those gorgeous men and their packages. And skill with said packages. Maybe one day I can convince you.”
