Page 26 of Falling for Mr. Wright

Then she could protect her friend from rude jabs by beauty queen has-beens. What could Ryan have possibly seen in a woman who was quick to throw in his face that he worked under his best friend from high school? “Do you ever feel second to Logan?”

He held her gaze. “Sometimes.”

A detectable sadness in his voice set Sarah’s blood on fire, and she had a good mind to march back into the ballroom and tell Melanie off a second time. Ryan was the nicest, funniest, and most interesting guy she’d met since she’d moved to New York City. He had everything going for him, and that woman had no right to shame him.

Her heart broke for him. No wonder he was a commitment-phobe. “You should never feel second to Logan. You are an amazing architect. Logan talks about you all the time to our potential clients, not to mention how many times he brings you up to senior staff. He really looks up to you, and honestly, I don’t think he could run NPH Designs without you.”

Ryan straightened, shoving his hands in his pockets. “His friendship means everything to me.”

That declaration made her smile. She knew the two were high school friends, but this weekend was opening her eyes to just how tight they were. “Your speech was really touching.”

“Thank you.”

If they were sharing insecurities tonight when it came to how they stacked up to Logan, she might as well admit hers. “I just wonder…”

“What?’

“Do you think I’m good enough for Logan?”

Ryan frowned. “How could you even ask that?”

“You know him best,” she pressed. “Do you think I’m someone he’d want to be in a relationship with? Someone worthy of his love? I mean…” She lowered her head, running her hands over her short party dress she’d picked up on clearance, a far cry from all the couture she’d seen this evening. “I’m not like any of those women inside.”

Ryan reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “And that’s a good thing. I think any man would be lucky to have you.”

Sarah’s cheeks warmed. “Well, geez, Coach Wright. You sure know how to flatter your pupil.”

“You mean my player.”

“Heads up, Wright,” a male voice called out behind them.

Ryan turned and caught the football that sailed toward them. “It’s good to see you, Coach.”

A middle-aged man and an adorably round woman approached, warm smiles on their faces. After hugs and pats on the back were exchanged, he introduced her. “This is Sarah. Sarah, I’d like you to meet Coach Sullivan and his wife, Connie.”

Sarah shook hands with both, complimenting Connie on her pretty royal-blue gown. While Ryan caught up with his former coach, Sarah tried to make small talk with the woman.

“Jack just loves seeing his former players,” Connie said.

“Is he still coaching?”

“Oh, yes.” She nodded. “But he’s never had the season that he had Ryan’s senior year.”

“Were they really good?”

“They sure were.” Connie walked over to the terrace and pointed to the field’s huge scoreboard that brightly displayedWestbrook Academy Cardinals. “That would say ‘State Champs’ if Ryan hadn’t broken his arm toward the end of the season. Jack was sure of it.”

“Ryan broke his arm?” Her stomach twisted at the thought. She may have grown up on a farm, but broken bones still hurt. “Did he break it playing football?”

That got a laugh from Connie. “You could say that.” She leaned in close, a twinkle in her eye. “Ryan and his teammates were practicing when they spotted a kitten stranded at the very top of that giant oak tree to the right of the field.”

Sarah looked out across the field. With the lights, she could see the trees off in the distance behind it.

“Ryan, bless his heart, climbed up to rescue the poor thing and slipped on a branch coming down. He’s lucky he only broke his arm.”

“Oh my God.” Sarah’s heart couldn’t help but squeeze, picturing a young Ryan scaling a tree in front of the entire football team just to rescue a scared cat. She’d always known he was a stand-up guy. Tonight was proving it. “And the kitten?”

“He’d held on to it the whole way down. We’re still not sure how he didn’t crush the poor thing. They were inseparable for the rest of the year.” She winked. “That’s a special man you’ve got there. Hold on to him.”

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