He preferred for Ryder to be happy.
“Good deal. This would be awkward if you disliked me.”
“If I did, you wouldn’t be here.” He winked at Ryder and sipped his tea. “The truth is, I don’t know how I managed before you arrived. You’ve been good to me.”
“Thank you. I’m trying. This is my first time.”
“I know. It’s difficult to believe given how good you are at it.” He glanced at his watch to make sure he wasn’t going to miss his phone call.
“Do you want your soup at noon? One?” Ryder licked a bit of chocolate off his fingers.
He watched for a second but while it was good to feel like he wasn’t dead yet, it was also completely inappropriate.
“Well, a two o’clock meeting, a phone call before…let’s say twelve-thirty.”
Ryder nodded and set an alarm on his phone. “Twelve-thirty it is. Baguette or are you carbed out ’til supper?”
“Just the soup will be enough after that midmorning snack. I think.” He didn’t have the metabolism he used to.
“Yeah. I hear you. I got enough of the soup to try. There’s nothing in it I don’t like.”
“You’ll like it. It’s Italian comfort food. And it has so much flavor.”
“Beans. Pasta. Veggies. All good.” Ryder started cleaning up their snack. “You holler if you need me. I’ll be here.”
“I will do that. Thank you, Ryder. Let me know if you need anything from me for our reservations in Connecticut.” Ryder had his miles card, so there probably wasn’t much else he needed but it seemed polite to offer.
“Yes, sir. I’m on it.” He got a warm, happy little smile. “I’m excited.”
He could tell. That bright smile said it all. “Me too.” He was very much looking forward to it, to learning about the rodeo and to spending some off-the-clock time with Ryder.
10
“Roper? Roper, you’re supposed to be at a signing in five minutes, boy. I will beat your ass.”
They were waiting to check into the hotel, and Ryder glanced up, meeting Cord’s eyes.
“Wrong twin.”
“No. No, you are not doing this to me again! He’s retired. He’s not here. You are always?—”
Ryder winked at Mister Charlie and shook his head as Cord ranted and railed.
Poor man. Roper had broken him a decade ago.
“Excuse me. Hello?” Charles stuck out a hand. “Hi. I’m Charles Martin, and I can promise you this is the retired twin.”
Cord stood there for a second, eyes huge, neck going deep red, veins sticking out. “I hate twins. Hate them. You tell your brothers they are not allowed on tour!”
Charles pulled his hand back, looking a little taken aback. “Well, it’s uh…been a pleasure.”
“Cord! You be nice. Mister Charlie here has paid for his ticket, and so have I. Don’t you be rude.” He wouldn’t stand for that nonsense. Cord was raised better.
Cord blinked again, turned a deep purple, then nodded and held out his hand. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Cord Gruene. Pleased to meet you. I hope you have an amazing night.”
Charles shook, still looking a little unsure of Cord and glanced at him before speaking. “Thanks. I do too. I’ll keep this twin out of your hair, I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to that. One is enough. Sorry, Ry.”