Page 16 of Ryder

My breath faltered, and I gasped, unsure of how to react. My legs were trembling, and my heart was racing a million miles an hour.

“I am not some Hollywood starlet who will fall at your feet,” I say, trying desperately to stand my ground and be strong. I am failing, but hey, at least I am trying.

Ryder laughs, throwing his head back as his black hair bounces all around him. A strange desire to run my hands through his shiny locks took over, and I had to hold my hands at my sides to stop myself. I had no idea what this emotion was that was coming over me, but Ryder’s presence did something to me that I just couldn’t explain.

Lifting a hand, Ryder tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, and our eyes lock briefly. “I have never once thought that you were a Hollywood starlet. That is why I like you. You are real, and you care about what matters,” Ryder says, his voice causing a rumble in me.

My mouth opens and then closes. Should I yell at him? Slap him? Kiss him?

My mind is beyond confused, and I have no idea what I should do next.

“You don’t even know me,” I try to argue, but something tells me he isn’t going to listen.

“Then let me get to know you,” he says, before smiling one last time.

Ryder turns and walks toward the front door, and just like the other night, one of us is left standing speechless, watching the other drive away.

“He said what?” Allison practically screams as I replay the events to her.

“Sshh,” I hiss at her. “Keep your voice down. You will wake the boys,” I chastise.

Allison just beams as I continue telling her what happened. I still honestly don’t believe it myself.

After Ryder had left, I had gone to bed. I was up at dawn and couldn’t wait to tell Allison what had happened. I had hoped she would think him too forward, but of course, I was wrong.

Instead, it felt like Allison just liked him more.

“It doesn’t matter anyway, I would never go for a guy like Ryder Raven,” I say, completely disregarding any idea of me hooking up with Ryder.

“What? A hot as hell guy? Good looking and sweet isn’t your type?” she asked, her voice full of sarcasm.

“Yes, he is gorgeous, but Allison, you know I can’t be anything more than friends with Ryder,” I remind her.

“Yes, I know. But look, Scarlett, you have to move on at some point. You got your heartbroken, and I know that rocked you, but not everyone is bad. So, what are you going to do?” she asked.

I knew Allison meant well, but I was tired of people asking like I was afraid to date again. I knew eventually I would get to that point again, but right now, allowing some sexy racer to steal my heart just didn’t seem like a good idea.

I thought over her words and knew I had to give her an answer.

“Allison, I just want to be his friend. I will talk to him about it because, at the end of the day, what he is doing to help the boys means the world to me. I think he’s great--as a friend,” I finished, smiling so she couldn’t see the strange wave of sadness that came over me at that moment.

I had no idea why I felt this way, but I knew without a doubt that Ryder Raven was no good for me.

Allison began wiping down the kitchen counter as I pulled out of the oven, a fresh batch of blueberry muffins I had made. We would be leaving soon as our shifts ended for the week, and I knew Allison was going to hound me about tonight. Just as the thought came to mind, she looked up and caught my attention.

“Don’t forget about our double date tonight,” she reminded me.

“I thought you wanted me to hook up with Ryder?” I asked, teasing her a bit.

Laughing, Allison threw the rag at me. “I do! Plus, I want you to find another boy to have fun with. You are a beautiful and single woman. Live it up! Get laid and date around while you can. One day, you will wake up and be a married mother of two college students like me,” she said, sighing as she folded her arms across her chest. “Seriously Scarlett, I just don’t want you to have any regrets.”

I placed the pan on top of the oven and turned back to Allison. “I know you do, and that is why I love you,” I replied.

Reaching over and pulling me in for a hug, Allison embraced me, knowing I needed comfort. “I will see you tonight,” she said, before grabbing her purse and leaving.

I finished cleaning up the kitchen then waved to the staff that just entered All Our Children. As I walked out the door, I couldn’t help but feel as though things were starting to change for me-- and for the better.

Chapter 9

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