Chapter 8
8
COURT
The next morning, I went to the gym. I hadn’t slept well after the night at Chrome. Ryan’s laugh, his smile, the way he moved on the dance floor—all of it played on repeat in my head.
I grabbed a pair of dumbbells and tried to focus, but thoughts of him kept creeping in. The kiss we shared lingered in my mind. I was supposed to be working an angle, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I enjoyed kissing Ryan. Because I had. He was exactly my type—likeable, good-looking, seemed smart—and that complicated everything.
After finishing my set, I took a long drink from my water bottle and then glanced at the undercover cell phone I was carrying around. I was hoping for a message from him, but there was nothing. Disappointment settled in and I realized my mood had nothing to do with the case, but I had wanted to hear from him. Wanted to see how his day was going.
As I continued my workout, I thought about the way he’d looked at me, completely oblivious to my ulterior motive. The way he’d let me pull him close while we danced. It had felt genuine. Was genuine. But I knew when the case was over and Ryan learned who I truly was, he’d probably never speak to me again.
Still, I had to take that chance since I was getting nowhere being undercover at the club. The way Nick had seemed so shaken up at the Fourth of July party, I’d assumed Donnie was running his operation through the club. So far, I couldn’t prove that was the case at all and not having any more leads was riding me. I needed to give my sergeant something so he’d keep me under.
Before I could think twice, I slid the cell from my pocket and shot a text to Ryan:
Hey! Was hoping you could get away for a coffee break before I head to work in a few hours
A few minutes later, he replied:
Hi! I’m in a meeting right now and then one after lunch. I can meet up around 2. Does that work?
2 is perfect. Tell me where to meet you close to your office
A ping came through with the location of a coffee shop.
See you there at 2 ??
When I arrived at the coffee shop, I spotted Ryan waiting outside, his hands tucked into his pockets as he scanned the street. When he saw me, his face broke into a warm smile.
“Hey!” he called, stepping forward.
“Hi!” I replied, returning his smile. “I’m glad we could meet up.”
“Same here,” he said, glancing back at the cafe. “I have about an hour.”
“All right. Cool.”
As we stood in line, I glanced over at him. I was supposed to get close to him as part of the case, to gain his trust and gather information, but being near him made me want to forget the case and just enjoy being with him. My mind raced with thoughts I tried to suppress, feelings I wasn’t supposed to have, emotions I didn’t want to entertain. Yet there I was, surprised by the way my heart raced when he looked at me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that our connection was more than I’d thought it would be and that scared me. I wasn’t supposed to get attached but I felt as though I might be.
We ordered our drinks and then stood off to the side to wait for the barista to prepare them.
I cleared my throat. “So, last night was exciting.”
“Yeah, it was great. I had fun.”
“I hadn’t been out dancing in a long time.”
“You could have fooled me.” He chuckled. “You know how to work it.”
I smiled. “I guess it’s like riding a bike.”
“I guess.” He snorted. “You don’t go out much?”
I shook my head. “Not really my scene. I’ve been to Chrome a few times, but that’s about it.”
“What do you like to do for fun?”
“Go to the gym, play basketball, bake.”
Ryan’s eyes widened. “Bake? Really?”
I grinned. “Why is that so hard to believe?”
“I … I don’t know. Just wasn’t expecting you to say that.”
“My mom bakes a lot during the holidays, and I always used to help her. Now I just do it because I love it.”
“What do you like to bake?”
“Mostly pies, but cakes too. Oh, and bread.”
“Damn, I’m gonna call you Courtland Crocker.”
I laughed. “My shit is much better than that boxed stuff.”
“Maybe one day I can try something.” He beamed.
I nodded and winked. “Yeah, maybe.”
When our drinks were ready, we grabbed them and headed to an open table. “So, how’s your Friday going?” I asked as we took our seats.
Ryan took a sip of his latte. “Good, but tiring. I’ve been in meetings all day, so having coffee with you is a nice escape.”
I took a drink of my coffee. “I’m glad you were able to escape. Any big plans for the weekend? Any more parties on the Cape?”
He shook his head. “Not this weekend and no more parties on the Cape that I know of, but who knows with Morgan. She’s always doing something and, most of the time, trying to drag me along.”
“Maybe she’ll start taking Donnie instead of you now?” I suggested.
Ryan rolled his eyes. “Maybe, but there’s just something about the guy I don’t like. I mean, he’s a strip club owner, and I just worry about her getting caught up in that lifestyle.”
I smirked. “You do remember that I work at the club, right?”
He smiled, a slight flush creeping into his cheeks. “Yeah, I guess I’m a little biased here. That doesn’t mean I like her dating the owner of a club where all the women are naked most of the time.”
“Do you think he’s a bad influence?” I asked, trying to sound casual while I probed deeper.
Ryan lifted a shoulder. “It’s not that I think he’s outright bad, but since the night he left her drunk at his club, something just doesn’t sit right with me. I really don’t know what Morgan sees in him. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, but sometimes I feel like she ignores the warning signs. There’s just something about him that feels off.”
“Have you talked to her about it?” I inquired, genuinely curious.
“Not really. I don’t want to come off as overprotective or make her feel like I’m judging her choices,” he admitted, taking a sip of his drink.
“Have you met any of his friends? Maybe they could give you some insight into him.”
“I doubt I’d get along with any of them, to be honest.”
Ryan wasn’t wrong. From the guys I played basketball with to the ones I’d seen at the Sapphire Lounge, I had to agree with him. Donnie’s friends were rough around the edges, whereas Ryan seemed more chill. Plus, I was almost positive Ryan had no clue what Donnie and his friends really did outside of the club.
“Yeah, probably, but you know, Donnie mentioned something about Morgan wanting to go on a double date. Is that something you’d be up for?”
Ryan’s green eyes widened. “Would you?”
I lifted a shoulder. “What could go wrong on a double date with my boss, his girlfriend, and my date—who just so happens to be her brother?”
“Sounds … fun?”
I laughed. “Yeah, sounds like a blast.”
“It would probably rate right up there with everyone over at my dad’s place for a family dinner.”
My breath caught at the mention of his father. There was no way I could be in the same room as Sean Ashford; he’d almost certainly recognize me. “Yeah, family dinners,” I managed, forcing a chuckle to cover the discomfort. “Definitely sounds like fun .”
Ryan grinned. “Maybe we just stick to us?”
I leaned forward, my arms resting on the table. “I like the sound of that.”
His smile softened, his eyes locking onto mine and making my heart beat a little faster. The teasing banter between us faded as he leaned in just a bit.
Our lips met in a brief, soft kiss, and when we pulled back, neither of us moved right away.
Ryan’s voice was low as he said, “Yeah, I think I’d rather stick to just us.”