Chapter Eleven
Ryan punched the treadmill speed, settling into a pace faster than his normal. A good workout often helped clear his mind. For tonight’s date, he needed a huge mental reset.
He’d majorly screwed up. Five days ago, he should have swept a breathless Sarah into his arms and moved their hot make out into his bedroom.
But no. He’d lost all brain cells the minute their lips touched. They were sitting ducks for his sister to bust open the front door and ruin the moment.
That night had given him hope that she’d call off her date. He’d thought his actions were clear how much he wanted her. Her response had seemed to indicate she’d wanted him, too.
Sweat trickled down his face that probably had more to do with his recalling the sexy sound of her moan as he’d palmed her breasts and not that he’d broken his record for running a mile.
He brought down the treadmill speed and slowed his pace. Yeah, their second kiss was hot, but it didn’t matter. It didn’t change the fact she was still going through with her date with Logan tonight.
He’d be lying if he didn’t admit that earlier in the week his confidence had surged to an all-time cocky level, convinced that after their make out, Sarah would cancel her date.
Yep, he’d played out that fantasy: She’d show up at Vert Tower and announce that her plan to make Logan fall in love with her was over. Elated, he’d sweep her off her feet and carry her into one of the empty offices for hot, wild sex.
But he hadn’t heard from her all week. No Vert Tower visit, no call either.
She was obviously sticking to her plan.
It sucked, but he’d managed to talk himself into believing his best friend might actually be a good match for Sarah.
It would save him from the heartache down the road if Ryan and Sarah did get together and she changed her mind and left him for Logan, or anyone for that matter.
He knew without a shadow of a doubt Sarah wasn’t Melanie, but there were no guarantees she wouldn’t leave him one day.
Bridget had spent all last night telling him he was going to blow a great thing if he didn’t 1) stop being a bonehead and realize that being a bachelor would ultimately result in his ending up alone and 2) fight for Sarah.
Fight for Sarah. And tell her what, exactly? I enjoy hanging out with you, I find you extremely attractive, and I thoroughly enjoy kissing you, but I can’t guarantee you any sort of future.
That probably wouldn’t win her over.
He increased his speed, determined to push away the realization that her date with Logan was happening and he might lose any chance with her after tonight.
…
Sarah bolted out of her bedroom, holding up a red strapless dress and a longer black one. “Which one should I wear?” She stepped in front of the television to block her roommate’s view.
Chloe sat up and cocked her head to see past Sarah. “For Logan or Ryan?” she asked with the same sheepish grin she’d sported earlier in the week when Sarah had confessed to what went down on Ryan’s sofa.
“To have dinner with a good-looking man who is interested in me.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Chloe motioned for Sarah to get out of the way.
Sarah let out a frustrated sigh and moved to the couch. She didn’t answer it because after five days of dissecting her kissing Ryan for the second time, she still didn’t have any answers. “I don’t know what to think anymore.”
After the heavy make-out session with Ryan, she’d thought about canceling her date with Logan, but the next day, Logan had been so sweet to her, giving her another compliment on her outfit and repeatedly mentioning how much he was looking forward to Friday.
Her plan was going swimmingly.
Even though Ryan had said he’d be at Vert Tower for the rest of the week, she’d hoped that he would stop by the office so they could talk, but that didn’t happen. She hadn’t heard a peep from him since that night in his apartment.
If he was really into her, would he let her go out with his best friend without saying anything? “Ryan and I have obvious chemistry,” she admitted. “However, it would never work out between us.”
“Let’s put aside the fact that Ryan seems to be anti-relationship.” Chloe sat up, bringing her knees in. “He’s kissed you twice now. How does kissing him make you feel?”
Sarah’s heart began to speed up. That’s exactly what Ryan kissing her did. It caused ridiculous heart palpitations. “Unbelievably awesome.”
Chloe patted her knee. “Then that means something.”
Sarah shook her head. “It can’t. He’s my friend. He doesn’t do commitment, and I can’t ignore what he’s made perfectly clear. Besides…” She frowned. “If he was really interested in me, he would have called…or sent a text…or something.”
Chloe’s phone buzzed off the coffee table, and she reached for it. “It’s Peter,” she said.
“See.” Sarah threw her hands up in the air to prove her point. “I rest my case. Peter’s interested in you. He calls.”
“No, he’s apologizing for standing me up last night. I’m about to give him a piece of my mind.” Chloe got up and headed to her room to take the call. “Hang on, Peter.” She spun around. “Hey, roomie.”
“Yes.” Sarah picked up the two dresses, deciding on the red one.
“Make sure you fall for the right guy. It’s only fair to everyone involved.” Chloe resumed her call and disappeared into her room.
Sarah bit her lower lip, focusing on the television screen but only hearing her roommate’s advice.
A recent memory of her laughing with Ryan in the break room popped into her head. Would that be what it would be like dating Ryan? Lots of laughter during the day and…her thoughts easily drifted to his living room to finish that thought…and evenings full of steamy kisses that curled her toes?
Stop it. She stretched her legs and flexed her feet. She knew where Ryan stood when it came to relationships. “Why would a relationship with me be any different?” she said out loud and stood. She carried her dresses back to her room to get ready for her date with Logan, because falling for Ryan would only end in heartbreak.