13. Chapter 13 #2
Whenever Tessa announced she had an idea, the hairs on Sienna’s neck stood up. “What sort of idea?”
“You need something to break the ice with him. A ringer. Don’t worry. I’ve got it all under control.”
Now the hairs on her arms were joining in too. She would have to rein Tessa in or it could blow up spectacularly in her face.
An hour later Sienna had showered and changed into work clothes before heading downstairs to the office where she found Ryan typing away on his laptop.
The whiteboards he’d ordered were attached to legs with wheels so they could be moved out of the way.
Currently they were pushed over to the side of the room.
Megan had already started transferring the notes to the boards.
“Any news from Jonas yet about the drone?”
Ryan nodded. “We watched the footage and the drone hadn’t recorded much before you grabbed it. Jonas is going to do some more research on it.” He paused. “I take it the talk with John didn’t go well?”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because I saw you, Megan, and Tessa in the courtyard beating on the heavy bag.”
Sienna sat behind the desk. “It’s not what you think. John told us about some events from his earlier years before he started keeping the journals. It was really hard to listen to. Everyone in his life abandoned him.”
Ryan frowned. “Damn. That would make me want to pound on something too.”
“Right? It made me so mad for him.” She hesitated for a moment. “Tessa thinks that John needs a friend.”
“I would agree.” He closed the lid on his laptop. “And she thinks it should be you.”
Sienna pushed to her feet. “How did you know that? Did you talk to her?”
“Nope. But it makes sense. There is some sort of connection between you two.”
She sighed. “Now you sound like Tessa. She asked me if you and I were ever romantically involved.”
“Oh boy. And what did you tell her?”
Sienna shrugged. “That we kissed and decided we were better off as friends.”
Ryan gave her a long look. “That’s it?”
“What did you want me to say to her? That after kissing me, you decided you liked boys?”
Ryan smirked. “That wasn’t the reason. I already was pretty sure I liked boys. I was in denial.”
She mock-glared at him. “And you still kissed me.”
“Si, I was a twelve-year-old boy. Twelve-year-old boys aren’t exactly known for being rational.”
“Only twelve-year-old boys?”
“Ha, ha. But seriously, I’m sorry if you felt like I used you.”
Sienna shook her head. “I didn’t. Besides, I kissed you for practice.”
“My twelve-year-old ego would have had a hard time with that as well.”
“So we’re even,” Sienna said before sitting back down.
“Fine.” His eyes widened. “Was she asking about us because she wants to set you up with someone?”
Sienna’s stomach dropped. “I hope not. I don’t have time for dating right now. And if Tessa gets an idea in her head, she’s like a dog with a bone.”
“Or a model at a sample sale.”
Sienna smiled. “Better analogy. But how do you know about sample sales?”
“I dated a model last summer.”
“Ah yes, Stephen with a ‘ph’ not a ‘v.’”
Ryan laughed. “He was gorgeous, but he knew it, which was a big turnoff.”
She sighed. “You never last more than a month with anyone you date.”
He shrugged. “They have to pass the Sienna test.”
She turned to face him fully. “What sort of test are you attaching my name to?”
“Simple. I go out with a guy, and if the first couple dates go well, then you get to meet them. You’re my good-guy barometer.”
Sienna shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t give you my opinion on anyone you’re currently dating.”
“Not in so many words, but I know your expressions and body language.”
“That is extremely concerning.”
“I would do the same thing for you, if you would actually date someone.”
Sienna’s heart sped up and she held up her hands. “No time. Clan leader. Curses. Overprotective brothers and best friend.”
Ryan laughed. “Don’t use me as an excuse.”
She took a deep breath and ordered her heart to slow down. “And don’t change the subject to me dating. I think the bigger problem is that you’re in love with someone already and you won’t do anything about it.”
He cringed. “It’s complicated.”
“Who said love is supposed to be easy?” Sienna put her hand on his arm. “Have you ever thought about telling him how you feel?”
“We work together.”
“Yep. And work and relationships can be tricky. I know that from being the baby sister who runs the clan her oldest brother used to lead. But you find a way to strike a balance. Kind of like you and I working together.”
He crossed his arms. “It wasn’t too long ago when I told you we couldn’t work together.”
She mimicked his stance. “But we worked it out, right? Besides, you don’t work that closely together with him. Just think about it.”
“I’ll think about it, if you think about your own personal life. You can’t wait until the perfect time to date, Sienna. There will always be some crisis with the clan. You can’t use that as an excuse to not get out there.”
Her heart sped up again. Right now dating was the furthest thing from her mind. She needed to protect the clan, and if that meant trying to be friends with John Baker, even if he fought her every step of the way, then so be it. She could be stubborn with the best of them.