“How can he stand that?” Tammy asked, shuddering from the thought.
“It’s difficult. Those girls out there are all whacko! One of them grabbed his arm when we were speed-walking to my car. I was actually relieved
that we were surrounded by the photographers; it was like they created a circle around us to keep the girls out.”
“I know, I saw the pictures,” Marie whispered. “Tar, you’re on the freaking Internet! Just search for his name and the pictures they took come
right up. You looked great, by the way. I liked the gray sweater dress with your leather jacket and black boots.”
For a moment everything went dim. I felt like I could pass out from hearing the confirmation that my picture was now on the Internet, forever
associated to Ryan Christensen.
Ryan and Pete walked out of the kitchen; they were both laughing at something, although Pete looked a little worried.
I squinted at Ryan and gave him a questioning nod. He leaned over and spoke quietly in my ear.
“I gave Pete a few bucks for the plywood and I paid him for the pizzas. And I thanked him for being a great friend and for taking care of the
window and everything.”
I squeezed his leg. Ryan was truly a good man, down to the core.
After we finished eating, we started our usual game of poker.
“How’s your business doing, Tammy?” Ryan asked somewhat over-casually, tossing his cards into the center of the table.
“Good! It’s hard to keep up though, trying to make all the food in our kitchen at home. Hopefully I’ll get a few more jobs and then we might be
able to afford looking for a shop somewhere.”
“Why don’t you let her use your kitchen, Tar?” Ryan suggested. “You have that huge kitchen back there that you don’t use.”
My memory recalled conversations I had with Pete about that and the reasons why it never happened. I was also wise enough to sense I was
being set up. I launched my counter-defense.
“I’ve thought about that before, Ryan, but the kitchen as it stands isn’t fit for cooking and baking. New gas lines need to be run and all the
appliances need to be replaced. Even the copper piping needs to be removed and replaced. It’s an expensive disaster back there. That’s why I
don’t serve food in the bar.”
“Well, look into it and see how much it would cost,” Ryan stated.
I shook my head, wondering why he cared and hoping he would let it go.
“What?” he asked.
I leaned over and whispered in his ear. “Please drop it. I can’t. I already have one huge loan I’m paying on for the renovations I did to the
poolroom, stage, and sound system. I can’t afford it.”
“I’m sure we can figure something out,” he dismissed.
“Figure what out?” I wondered.
He tapped me in the foot and scratched his nose.
Several rounds of poker later, I was losing big-time. My game was off tonight; I had a hard time reading everyone’s tells. Ryan smiled devilishly
every time he won more of my chips.
“A few more hands like this and you’ll have to ante with clothing,” Ryan slyly suggested, kicking me in the foot.
“I’m not drunk enough for strip poker,” I muttered.
Ryan abruptly sat up and joked, “Where’s the tequila?”
“Not so fast! I still have a few chips left!” I defended.
“Yeah, but not for long,” Ryan teased. “All you have to do is ask. I’ll be glad to loan you a few chips. We can even call it a favor if you’d like.”
I smirked at him.
“Speaking of favors…” Ryan continued, making his general announcement. “I have a favor to ask of all of you.” He looked around the table at my
friends. “My parents are coming to town this Wednesday and they’ll be staying here until Monday. We want to take them to dinner and spend as
much time as possible with them.” He smiled at me. “I was hoping you’d let me steal Taryn away for the entire weekend. Do you guys think you
could handle a few days without her?”
I glowered at the table. I could not believe he just did that. He didn’t even give me an opportunity. I suppose he thought that I would chicken out.
“Of course!” Marie answered immediately.
I knew exactly what she was thinking just by the way she looked at me. It was a combination of “Oh my God” and “Holy Shit” followed by a lot of
high-pitched, excited screams. This was a big step – Ryan freakin’ Christensen was introducing me to his parents.
I hadn’t even told her that he was sort of staying with me. That round of screaming would have to wait.
I had serious doubts whether or not they could handle Halloween weekend on their own. This was a big occasion for Mitchell’s Pub, and I felt
guilty as sin for sticking them with it.
“I have bands booked for Friday and Saturday. Cory will be working every night this week too.” I looked at Marie and sighed. She smiled and
winked at me.
“I can help out,” Tammy added. She was also grinning excitedly at me.
“Are you guys sure? I really feel bad…” I started my apology but Marie cut me short.
“Taryn! It’s okay! We can handle it. Pete will keep a head count. We’ll just make sure that we don’t overcrowd the place, that’s all,” Marie
confirmed. “Besides, we can always post a sign out front that says he went away for the weekend so don’t bother looking for him in here.” She
pointed at Ryan.
“If you think it will help!” Ryan winked.
Pete cleared his throat. “Well, as long as we are sharing good news, Tammy and I have an announcement to make.”
For some reason when he spoke I wasn’t surprised. I knew something was up. All night Pete and Tammy were gazing lovingly at each other, like
they were protecting some deep, dark secret.
“Tammy and I have officially set a date for our wedding!”
“We’re getting married on Saturday, September 4th!” Tammy gushed, looking into Pete’s eyes.
I noticed Ryan fidget in his chair. The air that he breathed out of his nose was audible, but a little smirk appeared on his lips. I wondered which
word did him in.
Was it the word “married” or “wedding” that caused him to squirm?
Chapter 18 – New
My hand stretched to hit the snooze button. It was way too early to be awake, but Ryan had obligations - he had to get in the shower and go be a
movie star.
“Ten more minutes,” he groaned, nestling his face on the back of my head. My eyes closed and I drifted right back to sleep, but the buzzer on
the alarm clock wouldn’t allow it to last.
“Babe, it’s five thirty. Your car will be here in a few minutes.” I rubbed his back to wake him.
“Mmm!” he moaned. “That feels nice.”
His cell phone rang, forcing him to reach. “Morning Mike. Yeah, I’m up.” He got out of bed, rubbed his eyes, and looked out the bedroom
window. “The alley looks clear. See you soon.”
I smiled to myself while I made him a cup of coffee. I was so in love with the man who woke up next to me and was now getting ready for his day
in my shower.
I thought about how different things were since the first time he spent the night. How I wrestled with the thoughts of not allowing myself to get hurt
again versus the burning desire to love again.
“I have a twelve hour day scheduled. I’ll call you when I’m on my way,” he said happily as he dried himself with a towel. “What’s on your agenda
today?”
“I have to drop off the deposit at the bank and I was going to do some grocery shopping. I’m almost out of coffee and there’s really no food in
this place.”
“While you’re at the store, would you pick up a couple of things for me? I’d really like some sort of soap that doesn’t smell like fruit.” He sniffed
the skin on his arm. “Just pick out something for me please? Oh, and make sure you keep your cell phone with you at all times, just in case.”