Page 19 of Falling for Mr. Wright

“I suppose he didn’t have to,” Sarah said, kicking herself for pointing out the obvious difference between the two friends—Logan came from money and Ryan didn’t.

Ryan didn’t seem to mind answering her question. “No, but he would help his dad out from time to time. Mr. Scott hired both of us the summer before our senior year to work on a construction site. It was quite the experience seeing Mr. Scott’s sketches come to life.”

The warmth in his eyes set her at ease. “Is that when you knew for sure you wanted to be an architect?”

“You know, I think it was.” He got out of the car, and Sarah opened her door. Ryan was immediately in front of her, offering his hand.

“Thank you, kind sir.” She took it and stood, taken aback by the gothic-looking building in front of her. “Good God.” Sarah’s gaze climbed the gorgeous ivy-covered tower. “Did you go to Hogwarts?”

He smirked. “More like Harvard. It’s a private prep school.”

She wrapped her coat tightly around her shoulders, suddenly feeling a little overexposed. Maybe she should have worn a more modest black dress. “I’ve never been inside a place like this. Am I dressed appropriately?”

“You’re fine, and it’s really no different from a public school—other than some fancy rooms named after donors and portraits of long-deceased people all over the walls.” He winked. “I’m sure all the dead men will be stirring in their graves when they get a look at you.”

“Ha. Ha. Very funny.” She faced him and took a deep breath. “Okay then. I’m ready. One alluring redhead at your service.”

“Oh, so you’re alluring now?”

“If that’s what you want me to be,” she said, taking his outstretched arm.

“You, Red, are both alluring and mysterious.”

Her cheeks warmed as they walked into the high school, but the pleasant embarrassment was quickly replaced by awe when she saw an exquisite glass chandelier hanging in the lobby and the mahogany full-twist staircase. Small-town girls from Dillon, Montana, even ones who moved to the city, were rarely gifted with such gorgeous sights. And then she noticed the walls. “Wow. You weren’t kidding about the portraits.”

“Sarah, I’d like you to meet Dr. Leopald Fitzpatrick,” Ryan said, pointing to a portrait of an old man with wire-rimmed glasses wearing a red-and-white blazer. “The school’s first headmaster.”

“Hi, Leo.” She gave the painting a short wave. “I guess I didn’t realize you and Logan went to a private school.”

“I was lucky to come here. As part of my mom’s employee benefits, Mr. Scott agreed to pay my tuition.”

“Did Bridget go here, too?”

He threw back his head and laughed. “I love my sister, but academics weren’t her thing. She went to a public school a mile down the road, but Mr. And Mrs. Scott sprung for her to study abroad the summer of her senior year. She had a blast in France.”

A petite brunette in a sleek, tailored black dress and pearls headed their way carrying a glass flute, filled with what Sarah assumed was sparkling champagne. “Ryan Wright. I saw you on the attendee list and couldn’t believe my eyes. I was wondering when you’d get here.”

The boost in confidence Ryan had given her a few moments earlier vanished. Next to the woman grinning up at Ryan, Sarah felt even less comfortable in the short party dress she’d bought on clearance than before. She glanced around for a bar. Where could she get some of that champagne?

“Lizzie good to see you.” Ryan leaned down and kissed her cheek and then stepped back, shoving his hands in his pants pockets.

“And you are?” The petite brunette didn’t even bother to bring down her curious eyebrow when she turned to Sarah.

“This is Sarah Leonard,” Ryan interjected. “She’s…um…my colleague. And Logan’s assistant. Sarah, this is Lizzie Daniels.”

Wow. The former quarterback reallywasnervous about being there, but he’d set up the “is she or isn’t she” well by going with colleague instead of friend. Sarah decided then and there she needed to push her own insecurities aside and help her friend get through this night. She stretched out her hand toward Lizzie. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too.” Lizzie turned back to Ryan. “I heard Logan’s not coming?”

“No. He’s stuck in Florida.”

“That’s a shame. I should get back to the registration table before Melanie comes looking for me.” Lizzie winked at Sarah and nudged Ryan’s hip. “Be careful of this guy and his Fifth-Quarter Experience.”

“I don’t think we need to bring that up.” Ryan put his hands on Sarah’s shoulders. “Can I get your coat? We’ll see you later, Lizzie.”

“You bet. It’s nice to meet you, Sarah. Ryan, you better save me a dance.” Lizzie gave them one of those little finger waves, then beelined straight for the gaggle of women next to the registration desk.

Sarah looked over her shoulder. “Fifth-Quarter Experience?”

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