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“The more I think about it, I doubt he’d want me to stay here with his...almostfiancé. I know what his answer will be. It’s best if I go.”
His tune changed quickly, and mine right along with it. Our roles have reversed. I sort of want to laugh aloud at the way we’re dancing around each other.
“No, he opened his home up to you. You’re welcome to stay.”
He stills. “Are you sure?”
No, not entirely. But I think it’s what Ryker would want. Besides, I’m suddenly overwhelmed with a ridiculous curiosity about Ryker’s black sheep of a brother who doesn’t appear to be at all the kind of man that was described to me.
I want him to stay. I want to know more about him.
“Yeah. It’s only for a short time. It’ll be fine.”
He unfolds his body until he’s upright. I feel like he’s towering over me, every bronzed inch of him. Gulp.
“All right, then. Thank you. Only until I find housing, of course.”
“But I should warn you, I’m a pianist, as you guessed. I practice piano six plus hours a day. Is that going to annoy you?”
He blinks heavily, his eyes guarded. “Not at all. I’d love to hear you play.”
“Even at six in the morning?”
“I’m an early riser. Can’t think of a better alarm clock.”
He grants me a warm smile that does funny things to my insides. It’s because he’s a lot like Ryker and I miss him. That’s all.
“You don’t want to stay with your mother and father?” I ask.
“I’m not welcome there. Not on an overnight basis.”
Wisps of fear wander through me. And yet, I’m intrigued. “May I ask why?”
“It’s a long, complicated story with lots of family drama good enough for a daytime soap. If you’re asking if I did something to hurt them, the answer is no. It’s family dynamics and I’m on the outs.”
I want to pepper him with more questions, but I don’t. All in good time. “I’m sorry.”
He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I swear I see a flash of pain cross his features. Subtle and fleeting. My curiosity is stoked. Who is this man I have been warned about?
He rubs his forehead. “I’ve been traveling all day and I’m beat. How ‘bout pizza and a Netflix movie? A peace offering of sorts. My treat.”
It’s hard to keep up with my whirling emotions. One moment, I’m scared to death of him and telling him he must leave. The next, I’m telling him he can stay. Now we’re going to be movie watching buddies. This is crazy. Wild. Dangerous.
And yet... I accept. “You just spoke to my soul. Deal.”
“Pepperoni?”
“Double it.”
“Miss Mila, you just spoke to my soul. But first you have to trust me and move away from the front door and see what happens next. I dare you.” His eyes glitter at me.
“Challenge accepted,” I tell him with attitude. I step away from the door and his lips curve into a taunting half smile. I face him head on even though my heart’s beating wildly. “But I need to take Artie out for a walk or his bladder might explode.”
“Already took him out earlier.”
“Oh. Okay, thank you.”
“No excuses now.”
