Chapter Seven
TILLIE
The car pulls up in the parking garage of the office building, and Ryan rushes off quickly before I even have time to say one word.
I grab Hunter’s cage and walk to the building on my own, watching as he disappears into the distance.
I can’t help shaking my head at how our relationship seems to break through a barrier, arriving somewhere good, then suddenly, his walls are up again, and we’re back to him closing himself off, choosing to flee.
Shrugging my shoulders, I sigh at how high school it all seems.
I’m not sure why Ryan shuts down.
It makes me wish I knew more about him.
If only he would let me in.
My sneakers squeak on the tiles as I enter the kitchen. Lunar’s making coffee, and she turns to me, glances down at the cage, and raises her eyebrow suggestively. “Um… do I even want to know why you’re carrying a rat?”
Rolling my eyes, I sigh. “Ryan’s lame attempt to scare me.”
“Right… backfired again, I see?” She giggles.
“Yeah, his endeavors at trying to outwit me seem to fail… thank God. Except for the glitter bomb. That sucked big time and definitely got to me.”
Lunar tilts her head to the side. “You seem less enthusiastic than you should be. Something happen?”
As I place Hunter’s cage on the counter, I exhale. “Ryan and I had… a moment. But I think things are a little one-sided, and I freaked him out.”
She purses her lips. “You like him?”
“It doesn’t even matter.” I screw up my face. “Tell me about your day. What’s happening with you?”
She looks at me, furrowing her brows, but decides not to pursue it.
“Well, the foundation we created is going fantastically. We’re bringing in a load of donations, and they are gradually building up.
It’s great to be able to place funds into the programs we have in place. It’s all pretty fricking awesome.”
“That’s fantastic, Lunar. I’m so happy that you’re able to get the message about autism into schools, and even more so that they're being educated on the subject. You’re doing such an amazing job. I’m kinda in awe of you.”
A soft laugh escapes her lips. “No, it’s definitely not just me.
I have an incredible team backing me up, and Danger…
he’s unbelievably supportive. I still can’t believe how lucky I am to have him.
And, of course, Mum,” she adds with a warm smile.
“She’s managing everything back in Australia while I focus on expanding into the US market.
It’s unbelievable that it’s taking off so well.
But I know I couldn’t have done it without the people around me, my support, my friends. ”
“That’s fabulous. It’s difficult to have a solid friend base when you work so hard.
I know, I don’t have many friends, well, none really, because of the hours I work.
It’s supposedly about keeping a good work-life balance, but how do you do that when you’re so damn busy?
I wish I could say I had great support around me, but I only have the band, Oliver, and my family.
But my family is all about work, so pretty much, my life is work. ”
Lunar frowns. “Well, that’s terrible and about to change. Tonight, you’re coming over to our place for dinner because we are friends, and I’m getting you out of your house and socializing with more than just your fucking flannelette pajamas.”
“Your place?” I ask, and she rolls her eyes.
“Yes, no arguing. Seven p.m. I’m cooking. It will be healthy, though, ’cause the house is on a health kick.”
I look at her, eyes glistening with hope, knowing I can’t possibly say no to the only invitation I’ve had from someone asking me over in a long time. So I smile and nod. “Okay, seven it is.”
She presses up on her toes while clapping her hands together in excitement. “Great. This is going to be epic.” Her pink and yellow hair sways from side to side as she moves her head around.
I can’t help but laugh. “Thanks, Lunar.”
She stops her boisterous movements, and her face goes serious. “You’re welcome.” She grabs her coffee cup, gives me a wink, and turns, heading out the door.
Swinging around, I glance at Hunter and sigh.
“Looks like I made another new friend today, hey, buddy?” His tiny nose wiggles from side to side, and I smile as a sense of accomplishment washes over me at the same time as nerves fill my stomach.
I love the idea of spending an evening with Lunar, but I’m not stupid.
I know she lives with Ryan, and I’m pretty sure he will be there, too, which is more than a little awkward. But I’m hoping it won’t get too weird.
Taking a deep, centering breath, I try to calm my jittering stomach.
I reach out, grab Hunter, and head toward my office to finish off some paperwork, where I spend the rest of the day in a state of nervous distraction.
Even though I’m working and busy, my stomach continues to let me know I’m heading out to spend the night at Ryan’s house.
Eventually, I’m distracted enough to get lost in social media, and I’m carried away, answering the messages from Ryan’s live feed.
When I look up at the clock, it’s already six forty-five.
Lost in my work, I hadn’t noticed the time ticking away.
“Shit,” I murmur to myself as I shut down my new MacBook and straighten all my notes on my desk. I’m running late, and Lunar is no doubt waiting for me. I should have kept a closer eye on the time.
Gathering my things quickly, I grab Hunter and head for the door. Walking briskly to my car, I load my new pet inside and make my way toward Ryan’s house without changing.
The drive isn’t far, but long enough to have my stomach doing backflips the entire way.
Does he know I’m coming over tonight?
Will he be there?
Is he going to talk to me after today?
I don’t have any clue or any answers to those questions. All I know is I’m now officially late, and that’s bad for my first invitation from Lunar.
Good one, Tillie!
Pulling up in the drive, my fingers are clamped around the steering wheel so tightly I’m sure I’ll need to pry them off. I take a long, deep breath in and let it out slowly as I close my eyes, trying to calm myself.
Why am I so worked up?
This is stupid.
Just go inside!
I open the door and step out with Hunter in hand, nervously hoping Lunar doesn’t mind me bringing him.
I didn’t have time to drop him off at home.
With a cage in one hand and a handbag in the other, I stroll up the path toward the door, still in my sneakers and yoga gear that I didn’t bother to change out of earlier.
Before I can even press the doorbell, the door flies open, and Lunar stands there wearing a gorgeous smile, a Betty Homemaker apron, and her hair up in a messy top knot.
“Hey, stranger, I thought you were ditching me.”
I shake my head. “No, of course not. Just got lost in paperwork and the guys’ social media campaigns.”
She giggles and pulls me inside the house. “You work too hard.”
“Mm…” She looks down at Hunter’s cage and smirks. “Nice accessory.”
While I place his cage on the floor, I laugh.
We walk into the dining room, which is attached to the medium-sized kitchen.
The house isn’t huge, but it’s incredibly nice and practical and not really how I imagined it would be.
I guess I thought it would be more of a bachelor-style come rock star pad, but it looks more like a family home, which is surprising but in a good way.
Danger walks down the stairs to the left of the kitchen and waves at me while Lunar stands in the kitchen, stirring a giant pot of something that smells amazing. I make my way to the kitchen bar and smile, watching Danger admire Lunar’s ass.
Suddenly, thunderous footsteps thump down the stairs. We all look up to see Ryan rushing down wearing only a pair of tight white briefs and… nothing else.
My eyes open wide, taking in his almost naked form, and my hand shoots up to my mouth in shock as Ryan pauses, looking right at me.
I’m embarrassed because even though he isn’t as toned as Danger with a ripped six-pack, seeing Ryan practically naked is making my heart race, my breathing stop, and goose bumps riddle my skin.
Ryan gawks at me, looks down at his briefs, then smirks and stands taller as he strolls into the kitchen like he isn’t bothered by his lack of clothing. “Didn’t know we were having company?”
“I thought if I told you, you’d crack the shits… and she’s my friend. I wanted Tillie to come over for dinner,” Lunar says matter-of-factly.
“Yeah, but to my house,” Ryan replies, his tone tense and slightly territorial, frustration lacing his words while I tense up.
I shake my head. “I can go.”
“Ryan!” Lunar chides while glaring at him.
He swallows hard, but his face is stern, and his mouth has a slight downturn on each end.
“No, it’s fine.” I reach down, grab Hunter, and turn to walk out.
“You kept the rat?” Ryan’s voice filters through the room, halting me in my stride.
Swallowing hard, I turn back and nod. “Of course. I named him Hunter, remember? Besides, I wasn’t going to set him free when, obviously, he’s so tame. Plus, he’s cute as hell, and I am happy to have another pet.”
“Jesus Christ, it figures! I try to scare you with a rat, and you fucking adopt it. I didn’t think you were serious when you said you were going to keep it.” He laughs. “Stay for dinner, but don’t expect me to get dressed for you.”
I try to hide my smile. “That’s fine. I don’t need you in clothes,” I say, then open my mouth wide at how that sounded. Ryan raises an eyebrow while Lunar and Danger both laugh.
“Wait, I didn’t mean that how it sound—”
“Sure… sure, Tillie. You always want me naked, and I can arrange that.”
I roll my eyes. “Please don’t. The live stream would crash the server with everyone wanting to see that.”
Danger and Lunar laugh loudly while Ryan softly smiles.
His behavior at the office to this is a complete one-eighty.
Maybe he might be thawing slightly.