Page 97 of Just Another Meet Cute
With a smirk, he sat up, too. The sun shone behind his head, and the expression on his face turned mischievous. My heart twisted because for a split second he looked exactly like Ian. “I’m sure I’ll think of something.”
RYAN:So I thought of something.
NINA:Of what?
RYAN:Of something that I need. In order for me to forgive you.
NINA:I thought you already forgave me. We hugged and everything …
RYAN:Yeah, I changed my mind. That was too easy for you.
RYAN:If you REALLY want me to forgive you, then you have to meet me on the hiking path at Flint Rock Loop at 10:00. Close to where you met Ian the first time.
NINA:But why?
RYAN:I’m curious about the place. It’s been a while since I’ve been there.
RYAN:It’s the least you can do after you fell in love with my twin WHILE we were still dating. You owe me this much.
NINA:…
NINA:I’ll be there at ten.
Squinting against the beaming sunlight, I glanced around the now familiar hiking trail and wondered why Ryan wanted me to come here. At the exact spotwhere I met Ian just weeks ago. Maybe this was some kind of weird punishment, although I knew that Ryan was too nice to do something like that.
Not too nice to coerce me to come here, though.
Moving over to the rock overlooking the stream, I glanced down at the seat. A smile crossed my face as I remembered how gently Ian took care of my cut. And how horrified we both were when I stood up and he saw the wet spot on the rock.
Then he left and I thought I would never see him again. Like now.
I rubbed my eyes and straightened up. No, no more tears. I promised Linh that I wouldn’t cry anymore and damn it, I was going to keep that promise at least for today. And hopefully the day after that, until it didn’t ache to think of Ian anymore.
One day at a time. I could do that.
As a branch snapped, I looked up and saw him. Like my mind had conjured him up. Again.
Ian.
Standing there in the sunlight with the giant book bag like the first time I saw him. And judging by his wrinkled forehead, he was just as confused and surprised to see me as I was.
I should be mad at him for leaving. Should turn away and ignore him like he did to me the other night. It was my turn to leave him behind for once. But I couldn’t move. All I could do was stare at him as though I hadn’t seen him in months rather than just a few days.
He looked tired and there were bags under his eyes. His dark hair was evenmessier than usual and some strands were plastered to his forehead. But he was still so handsome.
Damn it.
Wanting to run over to his side, I forced myself to stand still and scowled at him. “Why are you here?”
With wide eyes, Ian glanced around like he was looking for help or a way to escape from me. Again. “I—what are you doing here?”
“I don’t need to answer your questions anymore,” I announced with crossed arms. “I already told Ryan everything, and unlike you, he’s understanding. And he didn’t give me a guilt trip for having the courage to admit my real feelings. In fact, he even asked me to meet him here as a truce.”
Ian was already starting to turn away during my rant when he suddenly jerked back to stare at me. “Wait,Ryantold you to come here? My Ryan?”
“No, Ryan Reynolds.” The sarcasm made my voice bitter.
A flash of a boyish smile crossed his face, and I automatically smiled back for a split second before remembering that I was still pissed at him. I was determined to stand my ground, but man, it was super hard when he flashed that dimple at me.
