“What?” I ask.
“Just trying to figure out why someone like you, who’s got more talent in her fucking pinky finger than most people possess in their whole damn bodies, doesn’t want to pursue something she was clearly put on this earth to do.”
“Trust me, I was not put on this earth to be a singer.”
“Why? Because you found your true calling in waitressing?” he scoffs at me. “Give me a break.”
“Why do you even care?” My eyes narrow. “What does it matter to you?”
“I don’t.” His jaw locks. “It doesn’t.”
I stare at him.
He opens his mouth to ask me something, but bites back the words at the last minute.
“Just say it,” I say tiredly. “Whatever it is. Say it, so I can go home before the sun starts to rise.”
“I… I’m sorry.” His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat, as if he’s nervous. I get the sense those two words don’t leave his lips very often.
“For what, exactly?” I cross my arms over my chest. “Passing out in the bar? Or for being a total jerk earlier?”
“Feel free to take it as a blanket apology for my many indiscretions.” His lips twitch up into that trademark grin, the one that breaks hearts all over town. I wonder how many girls have been brought to their knees by it; how many before me have crumbled at the sight, setting aside their hurt in exchange for just a few more seconds of his attention.
Fudge that.
I flatten my lips into a thin line, not returning his smile or accepting his apology. “I’m leaving now, so unless you’d like to spend the night on the stock room floor and deal with Adam tomorrow afternoon when he comes in to do inventory—” Ryder grimaces at the thought. “—I’d suggest you follow me.”
I don’t wait for a response as I walk into the back room. He unleashes a heavy sigh before trailing in my wake. I feel his eyes on me as I untie my apron and hang it on a peg inside my staff cubbyhole. There are words poised on the tip of his tongue — I can sense them like you sense lightning in the air before it comes crashing down, electric and wild. He keeps quiet though, even as I flip off the lights and turn for the exit door at the end of the hall.
I’m half-convinced he’s not going to say anything else to me. It’s only when we’re outside in the dark — both breathing too fast in the warm summer night, standing in the spot we first met with five careful feet of distance between us — that he finally breaks the silence.
“I lied.”
My brows lift.
He blows out a breath. “What you overheard earlier — all that shit I said to Lincoln about you. It was a lie. I didn’t mean a word of it.”
“Then why’d you say it?”
“I thought if I acted disinterested in you, it might discourage Lincoln. He’s a great guy, but he’d be no good for you.”
“That wasn’t your call to make.”
He shrugs.
I narrow my eyes at him. “Did you ever consider maybe I’dliketo be pursued?”
His eyes darken. “Not by Lincoln.”
“I’m a big girl. I can handle myself. I don’t need you interfering in my love life.”
“Clearly you do if you think Lincoln would be a good choice.”
“Because you’re such an authority on me?” I snort. “We just met. You don’t even know my name. As I recall, you didn’twantto know it. You were too busy ordering me around in front of your girlfriend.”
“I don’t do girlfriends, sweetheart. Way too much drama.” He sighs. “But I’ll admit that, yeah, I was probably a bit… harsh… earlier.”
“Probably? You called me a cheap cocktail waitress!”