CHAPTER SEVEN

CASSIE

Over twenty-four hours later, Mark still seemed content to ignore me.

It made the urge to call Rylan even more tempting than ever.

I sat in a beanbag chair in our guest bedroom which also served as my reading room, just locking and unlocking my phone with Rylan's number on the screen.

It baffled me how a man like him could be so concerned and tuned in to my feelings while the man who claimed to love me for five years didn't seem to give a shit. 

How did it turn out this way? It should have been the opposite. 

Rylan, with his dashing smile, sexy steel-colored eyes, and massive, muscular arms, never should have taken notice of a girl like me, much less express care and concern. Mark, although he was handsome, was your average, slightly-overweight all-American guy. And me? An average, all-American curvy redhead. 

Mark and I were perfectly suitable for each other. We grew up in the same town and had similar backgrounds. Just your average, everyday people.

But Rylan? 

He wasn't just out of my league, he lived in an entirely different universe. A distant dimension where six-pack abs, firm butts, and perfect smiles were the norm. A world where neither Mark or I could ever hope to exist. 

So why was Rylan treating me like a kindred spirit while Mark acted like I was so far beneath him? 

Just as my finger hovered over the green button to call Rylan, my phone buzzed with an incoming call from Beth. 

I laughed as I answered. 

"How did you know I needed you?" 

"I'm telling you, girl. We were twins separated at birth." 

"I'm two years older than you," I pointed out.

"I really didn't want to leave the womb," she laughed. "Same old shit going on?" she asked in a quieter, more serious tone. 

"Yeah," I sighed, leaning my head back. "It's really coming to a head, I think." 

I glanced toward the open door of the bedroom. I couldn't see Mark but the lights from the TV flashed across the wall. He wouldn't like me talking about our relationship but if he wouldn't talk to me, what else was I supposed to do? 

"Damn. I'm sorry babe," Beth sighed. "Drinks?" 

"I dunno," I answered, trying to keep my voice low. "I'm tempted to have too many and will probably say some regrettable things when I get home." 

"Good!" Beth piped. "Come out and vent your feelings to me, get liquored up and give that asshole a piece of your mind when you come home." 

"Don't call him that," I said automatically, glancing out the door again.

"Cass, listen to yourself," Beth scolded. "You're always defending him. When are you going to start defending yourself?" 

"Fuck," I said, putting my head in my hands. "You're right. You're always right." 

***

A half-hour later, Beth and I slid into our booth at our favorite restaurant again. It was louder and busier this time, with a large after-work crowd at the bar. 

"I'm in the mood for some garlic bread," Beth mused, flipping through the happy hour menu. "And fried calamari. Oh, and some oysters ‘cause why the fuck not." 

"My new workout program will be all for nothing if I keep eating and drinking like this," I muttered. 

Rylan would probably say something to refute that if he were here. He always seemed to know if I was thinking something even slightly negative about myself. 

I looked up toward the bar area and my jaw nearly hit the table. I had to be hallucinating. 

He was here.

And fuck, he looked hot. 

He switched out the muscle tee and gym shorts for a slate gray, button-down shirt that matched his eyes and dark jeans. The shirt hugged across his biceps and broad chest like a second skin. His dark hair was tousled carelessly and his smile every bit as bright and genuine as in the gym. 

My body grew hot all over and I hadn't even started drinking yet. 

"Oh God, hide me!"

I picked up the menu and shielded my face with it, sinking low behind the table. 

"Cass, what the fuck?" Beth inquired so elegantly. 

"My gym trainer is here!" 

"Where?!" 

"At the bar!" 

Beth craned her neck as she looked. 

"The one with the backward baseball cap?"

"No! The super hot one. Gray shirt. Dark hair." 

She looked again and her eyes visibly widened to twice their size. 

Her head snapped back like a rubber band to face me.

"You never said he was that hot!"

"Well yeah, he is."

"No shit." She gave me an amused smirk. "No wonder you're at the end of your rope with Mark."

"What do you mean?" I demanded. 

"I mean, clearly your instincts are telling you there's much better fish in the sea." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. 

"Yeah right. As if a guy like that would ever go for this." 

"You did go on and on about how attentive and encouraging and polite he was," she said. "You just might be surprised." 

"I will bet you a shot that he is definitely not single."

"Oh yeah?" Beth's eyes flashed. "You're on, missy."

To my horror, she stood up and waved. 

"Rylan!" she hollered across the room. "Hey, Rylan!" 

I wanted to die. 

He looked up, his grey irises looking almost inhumanly beautiful when the light caught them. They registered confusion for a moment, and then he smiled when he recognized me. 

He mouthed, "Excuse me," to the woman he'd been talking to, who I recognized as the front desk girl from the gym, and began walking toward us. 

That only made me want to die even more. 

I barely had a stitch of makeup on and probably still had flour on my face from the bakery. And rather than bothering to get dressed for a night out, I wore an oversized sweatshirt that made me look ten times bigger and my leggings that I usually lounged in at home. 

"Cassie, good to see you!" 

He slid into our booth next to me with no hesitation whatsoever. An even bigger surprise was when he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and planted a kiss on my cheek. 

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest at the sensation. His lips were so soft. He felt so warm and smelled amazing. 

"Hey, Rylan!" I said far too chirpily. "This is my best friend, Beth!"

"Hi, I'm Rylan." He reached across the table to shake her hand. "Nice to meet you." 

"Likewise, Rylan." She flashed her winning smile. "So, inquiring minds want to know. Are you currently seeing anyone?"

Leave it to Beth to skip the pleasantries and get right down to business.

Can I please die now?

"And whose inquiring minds are those?" he asked, his eyes flashing to me mischievously. 

I sat frozen, speechless. His arm was still around me and his mouth was so close. He felt so strong, sculpted and hard. 

Only then did I notice the half-finished cocktail in his free hand. His face was slightly flushed and he wouldn't stop looking at me. He'd definitely had a few drinks already. 

"Both of ours," Beth said smoothly. "Us girls have to know everything, you know." 

"Well, you can file this away in your knowledge bank," he replied. "I am completely single and not seeing anyone at the moment." 

"How is that possible?" I blurted out. 

It was barely anything but I swore his fingers tightened their grip on my shoulder just the tiniest amount. 

"Just haven't found the right person yet," he answered, his eyes locked on mine. 

My trance from looking at him was interrupted by Beth slapping my thigh. 

"You owe me a shot, lady!" she declared. 

"Here, I got it." 

Rylan reached into his jean pocket and slapped a wad of bills on the table. Before I could refuse, he leaned in so close to me that I felt his breath tickle my neck.

"I'll leave you ladies alone. Have a good night." 

And with a cursory "Good to meet you," to Beth, he got up and left our table.