probing questions would be good for his career.
She eyed Marie and I could see the little hamster on the wheel in her brain churn another revolution.
“No, you cannot interview any of my employees either,” I said sharply. “Now I would prefer if you left.” Her eye daggers were confirmation
enough of her unhappiness. I really didn’t care. I barely spoke to my closest confidants about my relationship; she was crazy to think I’d spill any
details to her.
My attention was diverted when new customers came into the pub. Thankfully it was some of my regular male customers. They were obviously
happy seeing the large selection of women. The guys quickly punched numbers into their cell phones; it was the modern day version of sending
smoke signals to the other tribesmen.
Ryan’s little plan seemed to be working. As the women got their meet and greet satisfied, they exited right out the door. The crowd was actually
thinning. Marie nodded her head in response to seeing some of the girls leave.
It irked me to hear some of the comments these women were making about Ryan. Most were gushing about their encounter with him; how hot
he was, how they’d like to “do him” as they put it.
Two young women sat at the bar in front of me, talking about his hair and his dreamy eyes, and how they can’t believe how lucky they got tonight
to be at the right place at the right time.
I was washing a few dirty glasses when one of the girls expressed her next observation out loud. She presumed since Ryan was here without
Suzanne that they must not be a couple like everyone thought. And since he was out prowling the streets of Seaport (and slumming with the locals),
he must be looking for a good time. She felt her odds just increased to getting him. She even came up with a few lines to let him know he could
have her. She decided that her “want to come back to my place and have sex?” line was the winner.
A few weeks ago statements like that would have drifted in one ear and right out the other, not affecting me in the slightest bit. But now I felt the
burn rip right through my heart. The red tailed beast called Anger welled in me. These women talked about him like he was a thing, an object, a
possession to be had. And the thing they desired was the man that I loved.
Marie studied my facial expression for two seconds before concluding that I was almost at the end of my rope.
“Go take a walk. Cory and I have this.” She steered me along by my shoulders.
“I’m going to see how he’s doing, then I’m going up to have dinner with him. I’ll be back a little later.” I couldn’t hide the anger any longer.
He had just about ten minutes left until his hour of people pleasing was over, and there were still about fifteen women in line. Mike smiled at me
and moved slightly so I could look in on Ryan. Two girls were chatting up a storm with him, tossing their hair, smiling, and flirting. It made me sick.
Ryan was standing there with his arms folded across his chest, trying to be nice. When he saw me he grinned, ran his finger down his nose, and
scratched his chin. It made me laugh.
Two girls to go until curly-haired, gap-toothed Angelica would get her turn. She was definitely looking me up and down, just like the rest of them. I
adjusted my shirt, ran my hands over my butt and smirked. Look at that ladies, it’s his favorite part.
Ryan was getting anxious to get this over with; he waved at Mike to let the next one in. Two girls went together to meet him. They were beside
themselves – it was like meeting God to them.
Ryan moved away from the table when the two girls left. He stretched and walked over to where I stood.
“Hey you!” He smiled and privately drifted his fingers over mine.
“Hey back!”
He yawned. “I am so done with this. How many more are left?”
I roughly counted. “Twelve. Just finish with them; maybe they’ll leave you alone now.”
He wrinkled his nose and winced. “I’m so hungry. I’m getting a headache.”
“Then make it quick! Dinner is ready when you are.” I tugged on the bottom of his shirt.
Angelica was getting nervous in line; she was shifting her weight from foot to foot. Ryan saw she was next and whispered something into his
bodyguard’s ear. Mike unfortunately let Angelica pass. She clutched her little purse in her hand, making me really nervous. I watched her every
move, ready to pounce if she tried anything.
She said a few gushing words to Ryan and then started to open her purse. I saw the edge of something silver in her hand; adrenaline coursed
through my veins. I was just about to push Mike aside and tackle her when she pulled out a silver camera. Ryan posed with her quickly; now I
understood why the photographer was invited along. She looked at the camera and asked for one more picture to be taken but the photographer
told her no and moved her along.
Angelica looked distraught when she walked out of the poolroom. I thought she was going to stay inside the bar, so it surprised me when she left
the building. Good riddance, psycho.
Several new girls got in line and now the new total was closer to twenty.
“Mike, he’s had enough,” I whispered. “Two more and that’s it. He has a headache and he has dinner waiting.”
“Okay, Taryn.” He turned to the ladies. “You two and then we are done. No more.”
I watched as the bad news was whispered down the line. Quite a few of them left out loud “awes” but I didn’t care. He served his fans enough
today. Ryan patted Mike’s shoulder when he was finished. “Thanks man, I owe you one!”
“No problem, Ryan. I’ll see you at six. Go get some rest.”
Ryan smiled and waved briefly to the ladies who were still waiting in line; their cameras clicked like crazy. He turned his back to the waiting fans
and quickly darted through our stairwell door.
Chapter 19 - Entrances
“I love you for getting me real soda,” Ryan said enthusiastically. The can hissed when he cracked the pull-tab. “So how was your day, Honey?”
I turned and shoved a taco chip in his mouth, stifling his sarcasm. He smiled and cracked me on the butt.
“I got a birthday card for your mom. It’s on the table.”
He grabbed another chip and dipped it in the salsa. “Oh, cool! I completely forgot to get her one.” He read the card quietly to himself. “Awe!
She’s going to get all mushy on me after she reads this.”
Ryan wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging me from behind.
“Thank you,” he whispered, kissing me on the neck.
I turned in his arms and slid my hands over his shoulders; I was waiting for my proper hello and was relieved I didn’t have to wait a second
longer. He tasted salty and tangy, just like taco chips. It made me hungrier but not for food.
“Thank you for defusing your legion of followers,” I said warmly. “I really appreciate what you did, and I was surprised to see how many of them
left once they got a chance to meet you.”
He crunched into his taco. “Mmm! Just like I imagined it would taste. I was so hungry for this; I was thinking about it all day.” He had apparently
moved on mentally from his previous business mode.
“I got you a present today.” I pulled my purse off of the back of my chair. “Here.”
“Keys?” he asked with a mouthful of food, and then it dawned on him what they were.
“Back kitchen door is silver and the gold one is the apartment door. Now you have your own set.” I tried to hide my smile as I bit into my dinner.
He quickly leaned over the table and gave me a kiss. “Thanks! So what else did you do today?” he asked.
“My bank teller wanted to know if I’m really dating you,” I snickered.
He looked surprised. “What did you say?”