Page 56 of Reaching Ryan

Even if it won’t last, I can take what Ryan is offering.

Just this once.

“Are you sure?”

Laughing a little, he pulls a colorful ceramic mug from the rack next to the coffee pot. “I’ll ask her to teach me how to tie my shoes,” he tells me, focused on lifting the carafe to pour the fragrant, dark liquid into his cup so he won’t have to look at me while he says it. “That should take at least an hour.” Instead of keeping the cup for himself, he pushes it into my hand. “Go. We’ll be fine.”

I take the cup. Accepting its weight in my hand, it feels like more.

Like a promise.

“Okay.” I’m an idiot to trust it. I know I am, but I want it badly enough to pretend it’s real.

Just this once.

---