Page 38 of Falling for Mr. Wright

“And now you have someone to pick up your dry cleaning for the next three months.”

“You don’t need to do that.”

“But then I wouldn’t get to see you outside of work. Unless there are more galas coming up?”

Ryan nearly choked on his drink. Their eyes locked for a split second before she broke contact. “Logan told me you’ll be joining us Friday night.”

“Uh…yeah. He’s got some neighbor he thinks I might like. He says we have a lot in common, but I don’t know.”

“Well, maybe she’ll entice you to turn in your bachelor card.”

“Doubt it.” He stood, really not wanting to talk about dating another woman with the very woman he’d rather date. “Hey, want to stay for dinner? I can order a pizza.”

“Sure.” She brought her legs up and tucked them under her, reaching for the remote control.

He made the call, and they moved their conversation from the impending dinner date to more neutral topics.

“So, tomorrow, I was hoping you might help me sort the Christmas decorations for the office holiday party. I need someone tall to help me with the containers on the top shelves in the supply room,” Sarah said.

Normally he would have jumped on her request for his assistance, anything to steal a few minutes alone with her during the day, but the last thing he wanted to do was hear all about Sarah’s impending date with Logan. That conversation would be unavoidable if they spent any time together. He’d made the decision this afternoon to not be around. “Actually, I’m going to be at Vert Tower for the rest of the week.”

“Oh.” She leaned back and propped her elbow up on the back of the couch.

“Are you excited about Friday night?”

“Um…” Her question took him by surprise.Excited to see my best friend with you?“I wouldn’t say excited is the word.”

“Nervous?”

She was talking abouthisdate. “Nah.”

“Not at all?”

“I mean, there are always things to be nervous about. What will we talk about? Will she find me interesting? Will I find her interesting? Will I kiss her good night?”

Sarah sat up. “You’re planning on kissing her?”

“I don’t know.” He frowned. “It might happen.”

She took another pull from her beer. “Of course. It’s a date. Why wouldn’t you kiss her if things go well?” Reaching for one of his sister’s magazines off the coffee table, she thumbed through it without saying another word.

He stared at her back. Was she giving him the silent treatment? He grabbed the remote and surfed channels, findingIt’s a Wonderful Lifeplaying.

She tossed the magazine on the table and made herself comfortable. “I love this movie. Let’s watch it.”

He blinked at her. Damn. Even at thirty-two, he’d never fully understand women.

But he was willing to try with this particular one. He grinned and settled into the couch.

Two hours later as the credits rolled, they finished off the pizza.

“I’m so glad you needed your pants,” Sarah said, her head resting on his shoulder—a move he hadn’t seen coming when she’d leaned against him a few minutes earlier.

He steadied his breathing, trying to act like Sarah leaning into him wasn’t causing his heart to pump into overdrive.

“What were you saying about my pants?” he asked.

She laughed. “Your dry cleaning. I’m glad I could bring you clean pants.”

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