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Still, I could see that he wasn’t moving an inch unless I gave in and spoke to him. I didn’t want him to be there when Henry got home, so logically, the easiest way to get rid of him was to give him what he wanted.
Releasing a frustrated sigh, I said, “Fine. We can talk. But you leave as soon as we’re done.”
“I can agree to that.”
I opened the door and let him inside. Silently, I led him down the hall to the kitchen.
“Have a seat,” I murmured. “You want coffee?”
“No, thanks,” he replied, sitting down at my kitchen table. “I’m good.”
I sat back in my chair across from him and picked up my mug, taking a long sip as I eyed him over the rim.
Setting my coffee back down, I met his gaze and bluntly asked, “What do you want to talk about?”
He looked around my kitchen for a moment. “You have a nice place here. You seem to have done all right for yourself.”
I click my tongue in annoyance. “Yeah, I’ve worked my ass off for all this. That’s not what we’re talking about, are we?”
He scowled. “I’m giving you a compliment. Jesus.”
I folded my arms and sniffed. “I don’t need your compliments, thanks.”
“I’m trying to be civil. Can’t we at least be that?”
“What did you come here to say, Ryan? Say it, so we can get this over with.”
His jaw clenched, and I could see he was struggling to hold his temper in. I sat and waited, genuinely curious about what he wanted to talk about, though I’d never admit that out loud.
Several seconds passed, and I was about to snap at him to get on with it or get out when he blurted, “I’m sorry for last night.”
I blinked. “What?”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry I kissed you and then left you like that. I shouldn’t have done that. I panicked, but that’s not an excuse.”
I stared at him, taken aback and unable to come up with a response. The last thing I’d expected from him was an apology. I wasn’t sure what to say.
Shoving to my feet, I took my half-empty mug to the sink and poured it out. I needed an excuse to take some time to think. Grabbing the edge of the sink, I took in a few deep breaths before I turned back around to face him.
“Your apology is appreciated,” I said.
He frowned. “Is that it?”
“If it is? So what?”
He stood and walked toward me. I backed up until I was pressed against the sink.
Ryan placed his hands on the counter on either side of me, caging me in.
My heart started to race as I gazed up at him. I was careful to keep my expression guarded, so he couldn’t see just how unnerved I was by his nearness.
Ryan lowered his head toward mine, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me again.
To my relief—and it was definitely relief—he didn’t, but he did snarl at me.
“If you continue to disregard every attempt I make to apologize, there’s no hope for us moving forward,” he said. “You need to be willing to give a little, Sam. That’s the only way this is going to work.”
I tilted my head and released a heavy breath.
