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I laugh. “No, you didn’t.”
“No, I didn’t.” He grins, and his gaze flitters over my mouth for the briefest moment. He’s no less appealing than he always has been, but I feel nothing, save for friendly affection. “Hungry?”
“Starving.” I haven’t eaten since lunch. Raj left a mixed green salad in the fridge for me, but now that I smell steak, a salad is the last thing I want.
“I was just about to order.” With one of his signature crooked smiles, he slides into his chair.
I collapse into the other. “Okay, so seriously, what are you doing in New York?” It’s a long way from Miami.
“Goin’ back to Indianapolis for the weekend to visit the folks. Thought I’d grab a layover and visit you. You seem stressed lately.”
“It’s fine. All good things.” I wave away his concern. “I’m so glad to see you. Where are you staying? Do you need a place? We have plenty of room.”
Ronan smooths a hand over his nape. “Yeah … Even I’m not that big of a dick. And I’m not getting on Wolf’s bad side. Don’t worry about me. I’m crashing at a friend’s place.”
“I’m a friend!”
“A friend I plan on fucking.” He chugs back his beer, the corners of his mouth curving upward.
Ronan hasn’t changed.
Our waiter comes by then and so I quickly scour the menu, landing on a burger and fries.
Ronan relaxes back in his lounge chair, his thighs sprawled. “So, Red, tell me what’s new?”
* * *
“Fuck.”Ronan smooths a hand over his jaw. “You’re gonna be a stepmom?”
“I know.” I cringe around a french fry. I didn’t hesitate to tell Ronan all about Violet—and Henry’s scandalous past with Audrey. After all, he knew about Henry long before anyone else did. He’s already proven I can trust him to keep a secret, and I don’t have to tell him to stay mum. “She asked for my help with a project. I told her she could come to my office tomorrow. It’s either a great idea or a stupid one. I mean, I don’t know her at all.”
“How’s Wolf taking it?”
“He was shocked, to say the least, but I think he’s starting to warm up to the idea.”
“What doesthatmean?”
“I’m not sure.” What does playing the role of Violet’s father look like for Henry? “I’ll let you know when I do. But we’re keeping this on the down low, Ronan. To protect her, mostly. Henry’s closest friends know, and now you.”
He gives me a “Come on, are you kidding me?” look. “I’m not gonna say anything to anyone, including Connor.” He hesitates. “I told him I left and went straight to the cabin, that last night in Alaska.”
He means the night Ronan, Henry, and I were together, while Connor and Margo were defiling the hot tub. “Why?”
He shrugs. “You know me, Red. I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Yeah, but you and Connor share a brain.”
He picks up a paper coaster and flicks it at me. “I don’t know. I guess it felt too personal to share. You know what I mean?” In his eyes I see something raw.
“Yeah. I know what you mean,” I say softly. “So, what about you? How’s Miami? You already have a tan.”
He pushes up his sleeves and stretches his arms out to study his golden forearms. “Yeah, it’s good.”
But he doesn’t sound especially excited about being back there. “Have you decided about Wolf Cove next summer?”
He shakes his head. “Kind of reevaluating my whole life right now. Figuring out what I want to do with the rest of it.”
Back in Alaska, I sensed Ronan was running away from something. It didn’t take me long to figure out that it was a bad breakup. We were similar in that way—running to the remote wilderness to escape having our hearts smashed by people we trusted. But where Ronan guarded his feelings, I fell headfirst in love with Henry.
