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Ryan burst out laughing. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her into his chest. “I’ll take it under advisement.”
She looked up at him and wrinkled her nose. “You better do more than that.”
His laughter rumbled through his chest, and she couldn’t help but smile at the relaxed look of joy on his face. She wrapped her arms tighter around his waist. She didn’t remember the last time she’d been this happy.
Peyton grabbed her wineglass and Ryan’s beer and followed him onto the deck. She sat down and picked up her sandwich and took a hearty bite. Crispy sourdough bread, perfectly firm noodles smothered in cheesy goodness exploded in her mouth and she moaned. Even cold, these were the bomb.
She looked across the table and watched as Ryan took his first bite. “Fuck, that’s good,” he mumbled.
“Told ya,” she taunted.
“I don’t know about angels singing, but it’s a damn good sandwich.”
“If it had been hot, believe me, they would have sung.”
Ryan chuckled. “I’ll have to take your word for it.” Ryan wiped his mouth and sat back. “That was pretty cool what you did with Jason today.”
“Thanks. They looked like they were struggling, and I wanted to figure out how to get them to eat.”
“Them?” Ryan’s brow knit with confusion.
“I don’t know what their pronouns are, so I’m going with them to be safe.”
Ryan raked his fingers through his hair and winced. “Sorry I don’t have much experience with this. Is that what you are supposed to do when you aren’t sure?”
She smiled. “Normally I ask, but this situation was a bit different.”
“I just would hate to offend someone by asking.”
He looked so unsure of himself, which was such a contrast to the confident man he normally presented to the world. The fact that he cared enough to try to learn was a big step in the right direction. “Why would someone be offended that you are making the effort to be respectful?” she asked.
“Well, when you put it that way, I guess they wouldn’t.” He nodded his head thoughtfully. “Thanks. I never really thought about it that way.”
“Glad I could help. I always figure when in doubt, ask.”
“That’s fair.” He crumpled up his sandwich wrapper and shoved it back in the takeout bag. “So, how did you know what to do with Jason today?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “It’s hard not to get some mental health experience doing the work I do.”
“That was more than experience, Pey, that was amazing. I’ve never seen anyone defend someone like that. The way you charged into that crowd, I was sure I was going to have to throw hands to defend you, but you put them in their place and then the way you were with Jason.” He paused. She fought the urge to squirm as he stared at her. “That was impressive.”
“Thanks. It’s no big deal, really.”
“The fact that you don’t see that it was a big deal is kind of even more impressive.” He reached across the table and grabbed her hand. His fingers slowly traced back and forth over her knuckles. “You know, you’re nothing like the person I thought you were.”
“Well, that’s not saying much, considering your original opinion of me.” She laughed.
Ryan’s face scrunched up and he grimaced. “I still feel bad about that. I was such an asshole to you.”
“Yeah, you were,” she agreed. “But you’re growing on me.”
“That’s good. So umm… about this weekend. I was wondering if you wanted to come to the game and meet my parents as my girlfriend.”
“What?” She looked over at him, confused. Hadn’t she already agreed to this? “I already said I’d go to the game and meet your parents.”
Ryan rubbed his hand back and forth across the back of his neck. “Yeah, well, that was as my fake girlfriend. I’m asking if you want to meet them as my girlfriend.”
She sat up straight, pushing her back against the chair. “What?”
