Page 118 of Secrets (The Sins Trilogy 2)
I don’t know how many more scotches I have. Paige joins us after a while, curvier than ever from post-pregnancy weight. Her honey-golden hair is in a messy bun, and her face is scrubbed clean of makeup. Although she’s no stunner, she’s naturally beautiful and wholesome. I tried to use her to get back at Ryder, but ultimately couldn’t. Those liquid brown eyes made me feel like scum every time I contemplated doing something nasty.
“Hi, Tony. I’m so glad you could join us. Where’s—”
Ryder shakes his head. Thanks, buddy. Now I don’t have to do an explanation encore.
“Oh. Well.” She smiles. “Do you want to have an early dinner? I think it’s ready. I hope you like Mexican. I’ve been craving it.” She laughs. “You’d think the random cravings would be gone by now, but…”
“That’s fine.” I’m not here for the food. I only want to know how Iris’s doing.
We move to the dining room, where Ryder’s cook has everything prepared. Tacos and fajita fillings and soft tortillas are spread out, undoubtedly delicious, but I reach for more scotch. I have no stomach for anything solid. Paige pushes a few platters toward me, but eventually she quits, for which I’m grateful. It’s already bad enough to see the obvious love and affection she and Ryder have for each other in the small touches, the faint smiles…
Time to get to the real reason I’m here before I start to feel any lonelier and more pathetic. “I heard you had a meeting at the foundation yesterday.” Come on. Give me some clues as to what’s up with her, so I can fix it.
“My new assistant did,” Ryder says. “Iris is managing her first project well. Everything’s on track.”
Pride stirs. That’s my woman.
Is she still?the annoying voice whispers in my head.
She is until she tells me it’s over.
Nothing says “the end” like walking out.
Fuck. I finish the drink, wanting to drown out the infuriating points my mind is making.
When my glass is empty, Ryder pours me more.
“Shouldn’t you eat something?” Paige says.
“I’m not really hungry.” It’s the truth. I haven’t been hungry in days.
From the disapproval in her gaze, she disagrees. “You’ll scare all the girls away looking like that.”
I laugh hollowly. I only want one girl. As I consume more of Ryder’s best scotch, my mind starts to relax a bit. I should talk to Iris tomorrow. It’s been a week, and she’ll have gained some perspective on whatever’s bothering her by now. If not, I’ll just kill Byron Fucking Pearce, because it’s gotta be his fault. I don’t need TJ to drive me. I can find that bastard on my own.
Well past nine, I stand unsteadily.
Ryder puts a hand on my shoulder. “You can spend the night if you want.”
“Nah. I got a reservation.” Even if I didn’t, I’m not staying here. Not with those two lovebirds. They’re restraining themselves on my behalf, but I can still see and hear how they’re finishing each other’s sentences. Sometimes all it takes is a single glance to communicate. It only makes me miss Iris more.
“You aren’t going home?” Paige says.
“No. Wei made me a reservation.” I beam at her. “I’ll be fine. It’s a suite!” Or at least I think it is. But it doesn’t matter. A roach motel would do.
“Maybe you should go home,” she says. “What if she wants to talk to you? How is she going to find you if you aren’t where you’re supposed to be?”
Ah, my best friend’s wife is ever so hopeful. I’m not. Life has taught me that hope doesn’t usually pan out. “She hasn’t texted me in a week. She doesn’t want to talk.”
“Don’t do what Ryder did to me. I had to fly halfway around the world to talk to him.”
I squint at Ryder. “Did you do that?”
“Something like that.” He laughs. “You know how it is.”
“Well, it’s just a hotel, not halfway around the world.”
Ryder and Paige walk me to the door.
