Page 19 of Bones

Yeah freaking right.

Despite my intention tosneak out like I was some stereotypical teen heading to a Friday night party, I stayed in the room.

It wasn’t because of Ryan’s order. Shockingly, that had made me want to leave the room even more. But when I’d walked down to the lobby, there were people.

Too many people.

From the view I’d gotten when we drove in, the hotel was located in a city—not the heavy wooded nature I’d pictured in my head. Since getting anywhere would involve talking to someone, I’d retreated to the room to watch TV.

Allllllday.

I was bored. Beyond bored.

I assumed I’d have more stretching hours of it, but it was early in the evening when the door beeped and pushed open.

“How’d it go?” I asked, knowing he’d want to relive the experience.

Or so I thought.

“Hi. How’re you? Oh, I’m fine, thanks,” Ryan shot back in a snarky tone.

“Sorry. Hi.”

He mumbled something that I missed before rubbing his palm across his eyes. “It was a stressful day. The congregation here is a lot different from what I’m used to in Georgia.”

“No Southern charm?”

He barked out a short laugh. “Far from it.” With a sigh, he dropped his hand and looked toward me. Notatme. Just in my general direction. “Let’s go grab dinner, and I’ll tell you more.”

“Sounds good.”

Even though I’d done nothing but rot in bed watching mindless TV, I’d stayed in my nice dress. My hair probably resembled a blond tumbleweed, but whatever. I finger brushed it as best as I could, then slid my shoes on.

I started for the door, but Ryan didn’t follow. With his back to me, I could see the tightness in his bunched shoulders.

“Ry?” I called softly.

In a blink, the tension was gone, and he strode into the bathroom. He came out a moment later with my toiletries kit.

“Why do we need that?” I asked, something pulling at the back of my mind. It was the most bizarre sensation.

Like dread mixed with exhilaration mixed with fullness and terror.

He wrapped his free arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side. “Because I’m in a new city with my best girl and want to explore. Celebrate, like you said. In case we stay out late, I figured you’ll need your meds.” He shook the pouch. “Grabbing the whole thing was easier than rummaging through for your pill bottles.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, not quite believing him but also not having any clue why he would lie.

I also didn’t spend too much time obsessing. I was finally getting out of the hotel.

“Where are we going for dinner?” I asked as we stepped outside. The busy street was packed with other hotels, shopping centers, and restaurants—and that was just what I could see. “I can run back in for my coat, and we could probably walk somewhere.”

It might have been winter, but there wasn’t any snow like I’d hoped to see. The fading sunlight and fresh air were already doing wonders for my head.

“One of the members recommended a small local place. It’s a bit of a drive.”

Yes.

My chest felt like it was tingling behind my ribs, and that restless energy zipped down my legs like I needed to stretch them.

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