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After he shut the door, I watched him walk around the front and jump in. The second his truck started, the radio blared—and I jumped and let out a scream.
“Jesus H, Ryan! Are you freaking deaf?”
He quickly turned it off and gave me a look of apology. “Sorry, I was listening to a podcast and I always need to turn them up.”
Hmmm, intriguing that he would listen to a podcast. “What kind of podcast?”
“I listen to all sorts of them, but my mother got me hooked on this one. I don’t advise listening to it, especially if you live alone.”
“Why?”
“It’s a crime podcast called The Dark Night.”
“Oh, maybe I should listen to it.”
Ryan shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Morgan.”
Folding my arms over my chest, I asked, “And why not?”
“You live alone. You’ll be terrified.”
I glared at him. “Because I’m a girl?”
Ryan nodded. “Yes. And you live alone.”
“You mentioned that.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself. But don’t complain to me when it creeps you out.”
Huffing, I stared out the front window. The first thing I’d do when I got the chance was download an episode of that stupid podcast.
The drive to my place from the gym was a quick one. “Do you mind parking out front?” I asked. “I want to see how things are going with the store.”
“Sure thing.” He parked directly in front of the boutique, and we both got out.
“Wow, they’re moving along fast,” he said as we stepped into the store.
I couldn’t help but smile. “I know. They said they should be finished right in time for the opening.”
“Blayze says Georgiana is beside herself with nerves and excitement.”
“I feel the same.”
“It’s going to be great, Morgan.”
Turning to look at him, my breath caught in my chest. He was so damn handsome, and that smile of his would surely be my downfall one day when I finally fell to my knees and confessed that I wanted him.
“Morgan? How are you?”
I spun around to see David Keller, an old high school friend of mine, entering the shop behind us. His father owned the construction company in charge of the renovations.
“David! It’s so great to see you!”
After a quick hug, I motioned between him and Ryan. “Do you guys know each other?”
“Afraid not,” David said as he reached out to shake Ryan’s hand.
“Ryan Marshall, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“David Keller, pleasure’s all mine. Your father owns High Meadows Stables, the horse ranch right outside of town, right?”
A wide smile erupted across Ryan’s face. “He does.”
“My girlfriend, Jenn, brought her horse in to be trained for barrel riding. She’s been winning left and right.”
“That’s good to hear. I’ll be sure to let my mother know.”
David nodded. “Please do. Listen, I better get to work. Great meeting you, Ryan, and I’ll talk to you soon, Morgan.”
“Bye, David,” I said.
After taking a quick tour of the store to see the progress on the renovation, I stepped out the back door and into the courtyard. Ryan was still inside, talking to someone he knew on the crew. I lifted my face and let the bright sun shine down on me. It felt so good to have warm weather after the freezing-cold winter and spring.
A sudden shiver swept over me, and I quickly straightened and looked around. I had the strong feeling someone was watching me, but there was no one else in the courtyard.
“Sun feel good?”
Ryan’s voice instantly put me at ease. I wanted to ask him how long he’d been standing there. Maybe it was his gaze that I’d felt. Instead, I just said, “Feels amazing.”
He smiled. “I’m going to take off. I hope your legs get to feeling better.”
I felt my cheeks heat. “That’s what I get for not paying attention to the class level.”
Ryan drew in a breath, and I assumed he was going to say goodbye. Instead, he asked, “Did you ever find out who sent you the flowers?”
I was so caught off guard by the question, I stared at him for a long moment. Finally snapping myself to attention, I shook my head. “No. No clue who it was.”
He gave me a single nod and then pushed off the door he’d been leaning against. He opened his mouth to say something else, and I found myself holding my breath.
He simply smiled and said, “I’ll see you around, Morgan.”
My heart felt like it dropped to my stomach. I didn’t know what I expected. Maybe an invite to dinner?
Oh, stop it, Morgan. He clearly doesn’t see you that way.
Forcing a smile, I replied, “Sure. See you.”
I watched Ryan walk around the corner to the small alley that separated the building I lived in from the bakery next door.
After exhaling a long breath as soon as he was gone, I slowly turned and made my way up the back stairs to my apartment, ignoring the way I suddenly felt very alone.
