Page 63 of Ignite

Offering up seven dates over seven days had been my biggest brain fart of all time. Especially when Felicity and Grace had walked in on my breakfast date with Rose on the Tuesday morning. They obviously thought we were celebrating spending the night together.

We weren’t.

We hadn’t.

We wouldn’t. But with training on Tuesday night and my little plan to coax Rylee to the pub in full swing, breakfast had been the only time available. Luckily, neither of Rylee’s friends could accuse Rose and I of having chemistry or anything in common other than the food.

On the Wednesday night, I’d taken Rose to Meringa’s Italian restaurant, again allowing everyone in town to see that I could honor my commitment to the auction without any chemistry. We could become friends, but neither Rose or I were looking to extend our seven dates to an eighth.

But this game of push-pull with Rylee was getting old and I needed to slowly reel her back to me, one text at a time.

The dots danced again and I hoped telling Rylee I wasn’t emotionally single hadn’t scared her away.

Rylee:?

I fist pumped the air. Yes. I could do this. My fingers flew over the screen in a do or die effort to win back my girl.

Ethan:When I didn’t want to kiss her, she asked me whether I was gay or in a relationship.

It had been the world’s most awkward date. Rose had expected me to hold hands, flirt and get her into bed by the end of the first date. I’d opened the car door, held out chairs, but kept my hands above the table and to myself. I knew eyes were everywhere and anything could be taken out of context.

At least Rose had been content to know it wasn’t her, but someone else. Now, I just needed Rylee to understand that women could flirt with me all they wanted—and they did—but I was a one-woman kind of guy. And the only woman for me just happened to be a sassy, stubborn Ophelia Mettner, otherwise known as Rylee.

Rylee:There’s nothing wrong with being gay.

Ethan: Funny girl. As cut as Eric’s abs are, he’s not my type.

Ethan: You on the other hand, I never got to count your abs.

Rylee: I don’t have abs.

Ethan: Pics or I don’t believe you.

And once again, I’d pushed too far. The dots danced and disappeared, danced and disappeared. Then they disappeared and my screen went dead.

Rylee: Thank you.

It had been two days since my text. Knowing I’d fucked up again, I’d apologized and given her space. Now, she’d responded.

Ethan:You’re welcome, but why?

Rylee:Ryan spent the afternoon with me in the workshop.

Rylee:All he can talk about is you and your advice.

Ethan:I didn’t do it. I didn’t say it. You can’t even prove I was in the country at the time.

Rylee:Thank you. Training with the team meant a lot to him.

Ethan:He’s a good kid.

Ethan:He misses his dad.

Ethan:He misses his uncle.

Ryan hadn’t been able to open up about his uncle, but I got the sense the guy had been the only positive role model in his life.

Ethan:I’m here if you want to talk.

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