Page 48 of It Never Was

Does she not feel this pull?

"No, but if there is something you are craving, just say the word. I'll bake it right up." I chuckled out trying to get her to ease up.

No luck.

Her stance never falters.

"What I was gonna say was, seeing as we are neighbors and all." I have lost my mind. Stop talking.

This is past the point of pathetic.

"We should carpool together. Could save up both some gas I mean." I rambled on, "And we already start at the same time. I think there is only like a day we have a shift that is different so it would work out." Coughing as the silence grows between every blurt of words, "I know you have classes after some of your shifts, but I actually pick up Gabriel most of the nights. So, I could pick you up too."

Stop talking, you are rambling like an idiot.

Did I sound desperate? Probably, I was at this point.

She was full on ignoring me. I mean not really. She was acting civil and like a co-worker should. But the way I felt the need to protect her the other night, the way my chest ached to take away the pain in her face. The feel of her skin barely touching me ignited something inside me.

Even though all my rational brain cells were telling me to stick to the plan we came to Washington with, every other thought was overcome with her. The way she talked, the way she walked, the way she stared at the computer screen on her lunch, sipping coffee and typing away doing her homework like a mad woman.

Ryen stood in place frozen, not answering for what felt like forever.

"Neighbors?" Willow shot out when she saw Ryen wasn't going to reply anytime soon. "You didn't tell me you guys are neighbors?" she redirects her attention to Ryen.

"We aren't 'neighbors' Willow. He lives a few blocks from me." She looked at Willow who had stopped filling the coffee syrups to her side. "Close but not neighbors." She adds. Not looking my way once.

Look at me.

"Close enough to carpool." I interject as I kneel to put the pastries on display in the case.

"Wait, how do you know where he lives? How do you know it's only three blocks from you?" Willow raises an eyebrow to Ryen as I look over my shoulder. Her arms are now crossed, her hip leaning on the counter as she grills Ryen for an answer.

"I gave her a ride to work the other day." I state.

"You gave her a ride the other day?" my words parroted from Willow.

Shit.

She didn't tell Willow.

"What day?" Willow says firmly, this time directed at me. Her eyes narrowed, her face looking annoyed.

I think I fucked up…

27

Ryen

What in the actual fuck?

What was Parker doing asking me to carpool with him, in front of Willow, of all people. And not just that, he completely let out a story I was trying not to tell Willow. The last thing I needed right now was her asking a million questions, drilling me about Devon not taking me to work that day. She was going to have a complete conniption about it all.

I don't have the energy to try to defend Devon, because honestly, I wasn't sure I could. I was having a hard time convincing myself the last couple of days.

Having to convince Willow would be a whole other feat.

"What. Day. Parker." Willow repeats herself, her eyes fixed on Parker. I am thankful for that. I am not ready for Willows daggered eyes to turn to me.

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