Page 69 of Break My Heart
‘We’re not dating. We’re just friends, not even that. We had dinner together, once, because of a bet.’
‘A bet? What kind of bet?’
‘It was nothing. Just forget it.’ I get up from the table. ‘Ryder, you should go. It’s getting late and you have to drive home.’
‘You’re lying to me.’ He points to the door Sawyer just walked out of. ‘That guy was pissed. A guy doesn’t act like that unless there’s something going on with you two. Did you see how he looked at me when he found out we used to date?’
‘Goodbye, Ryder. Thanks for your help with the cider. I’ll let you know how it turns out.’ I leave him there and go to the back.
He follows me. ‘Gina, wait.’
I turn to face him. ‘Why do you care who I’m with? You and I are over.’
‘That guy is Sawyer Kanfield!’ Ryder comes up to me. ‘The guy who owns the other brewery!’
‘Yeah, I know who he is,’ I say, getting angry. I hate when Ryder talks to me like this, like I’m stupid and don’t know what I’m doing.
‘Gina, the guy could put you out of business! You shouldn’t even be talking to him.’
‘He’s not going to hurt my business. He’s a nice guy. He comes from a good family.’
‘Fuck, are you serious right now?’ Ryder walks away, then turns back. ‘Gina, I know you want to see the best in people, but the guy is going to do whatever’s necessary to make sure he’s the only brewery in town. It doesn’t matter if he’s nice. Nice guys are the ones you have to look out for. They use the nice act to get you to let your guard down so you’ll trust them and tell them stuff.’
‘That’s not what he’s doing. And I don’t have to explain it to you. You don’t get to just show up here and tell me how to run my life or my business.’
‘You’re not going to have a business if you keep fucking that guy.’
‘I’m not—’ I take a breath. ‘Just go.’ I hurry to my office and shut the door. I lean against it and close my eyes, taking a deep breath. Ryder is wrong. Sawyer is not using me to get information. And he’s not trying to put me out of business.
‘Gina.’ Ryder knocks on the door. ‘Gina, please. Open the door.’
I open it, but just slightly. ‘What?’
‘I didn’t mean to yell at you. I’m just concerned. You worked hard to start this place and I’d hate to see it all go away because of some guy.’
‘It won’t. I’m not stupid. I know what I’m doing.’ I smile a little. ‘And maybeI’mthe one usinghimto get information.’
I’m not, but saying that may get Ryder to shut up and go away.
‘Just be careful.’ He reaches through the small opening in the door and takes my hand, giving it squeeze. ‘I really do care about you, Gina.’
I don’t respond.
‘Call me next week. Let me know how the cider is coming. I’d be happy to drive back here and try it. Have a good night.’ He finally leaves and I shut the door.
Grabbing my phone, I hurry to send Sawyer a text.Can we talk? Ryder just showed up here. I didn’t know he was coming.
Sawyer doesn’t text back. I doubt that he will, at least not tonight. He’s too angry.
Going out to the brewery, I see the food he brought me still sitting on the table. I get it and bring it back behind the bar.
‘What’s that?’ Aria asks as she fills a glass from the tap.
‘Sawyer brought me dinner since I wasn’t able to go.’
‘Aww, that’s so sweet,’ she gushes. ‘What is it?’
‘I don’t know.’ I lift the foil up and see pot roast, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and a roll that looks homemade.
