Page 23 of Protecting Anna
Noah stood, and offered his arm to Anna with a ridiculous bow. “Well then, my lady, let us retire away from the help, and I shall regale you with tales of old.”
He knew Noah was no threat to him, but Ryan still didn’t like the idea of not having Anna nearby. He watched helplessly, as Anna blew him a kiss before wandering off to an open booth with Noah. When she threw her head back and laughed at something Noah said, Ryan’s lips pressed into a thin line of jealousy. He wanted to be the one making her laugh like that, and not be stuck behind the bar.
With impeccable timing, Jake and Callie came walking out from the back hallway, hand in hand. Ryan took in Callie’s messed-up hair and Jake’s satisfied grin and knew his best friend had been luckier than he had in spending time with his girl. Suddenly Ryan knew how he could get a break from bartending.
“Hey, lovebirds. Think you can tear yourselves away from each other long enough to help me? While you were getting busy, my brother was moving in on my girl.”
Jake glanced over at the booth where Noah and Anna were talking animatedly, then looked back at Ryan with a knowing look. “Feeling worried she might want the older Carlisle?” he teased.
Callie smacked his arm lightly, before turning to Ryan. “Oh relax, you’ve got nothing to worry about, Ryan. That woman is crazy for you.” She looked up at Jake. “Come on, hot bartender, pour me a beer.”
Ryan shot Callie a grateful look as he rounded the end of the bar, with a sleeve of Anna’s favorite beer in his hand. He strode over to the booth and slid in next to her, placed the beer in front of her and tugged her into his side protectively before glaring at his brother.
“Whatever he’s told you, it’s all lies.”
Her answering laugh and the feel of her hand on his leg soothed him, and Ryan relaxed into the cushioned bench seat, letting the chatter between Noah and Anna wash over him. He hadn’t really been that worried about what Noah would say. His brother was such a romantic, Ryan knew that Noah would want him to be happy no matter what.
A while later, the bar had filled with people waiting for Chase to come on stage and sing. Ryan glanced at the bar and saw Jake was slammed with customers.
“Sorry, sweetheart, I have to get back to work,” he said regretfully as he slid out of the booth.
Noah followed him out. “Yeah, I actually need to head home as well. It was nice to meet you Anna, hopefully we’ll see you again soon.” He gave Anna a swift hug, clapped Ryan on his back and headed for the door.
Ryan bent down and kissed Anna firmly on the mouth. “It was nice seeing you and my brother getting along so well.”
“He’s very easy to get along with,” Anna replied. “You’re both such handsome, friendly men.”
“Just remember which brother you’re with,” Ryan growled, holding her tightly and pressing their bodies together.
Anna reached her hands around his back and tucked them into his back pockets so she could gently squeeze his ass. “Oh, I know which Carlisle brother I’m with. It’s the one who is sexy as sin and can turn me on with nothing more than his growly voice.”
Letting out a groan as her sultry words made his cock twitch, Ryan touched his forehead to hers. Taking a deep breath, he tried to get his reaction to her under control. “You have no idea how much you drive me crazy. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
* * *
Anna watched Ryan go back to work, as Reagan and Callie walked over with a pitcher of beer and three glasses. Melanie had sent them a message saying she couldn’t join them for drinks after all, so it would just be the three of them.
“I mean it, Reagan, you have to stop sending all of those brownies home with Jake and I. Just hurry up and open your bakery, preferably before I end up in a brownie coma.” Callie’s teasing reached Anna’s ears, and she looked at the women with curiosity.
“A bakery? Is that your plan Reagan?” Anna was interested to hear the response. From what little she knew about her, she thought Reagan worked in an office somewhere downtown.
Reagan snorted and rolled her eyes. “That’s Callie’s plan, and my foolish dream.”
Callie looked at her with compassion. “It’s not foolish. It’s your passion, and you’re crazy if you don’t pursue it.”
Reagan was silent, looking down at the table, tearing a napkin into tiny pieces. Anna instinctively knew Reagan was feeling self-conscious about herself and her dreams.
“Did you know I was in college studying to be a teacher?” If opening up about her past could help Reagan overcome her fears, then maybe it was time for Anna to share a little bit more. “I moved to California for school. If things had turned out differently, I would’ve been a kindergarten teacher by now.” Anna sighed, remembering how excited she and Aunt Theresa had been. The plan was for Anna to get her degree in California, and then return to Portland to teach.
“Instead I ended up in a terrible relationship.” Anna hesitated, then took the plunge. “He stole my dream from me. The guy I was with. He took over my life, and robbed me of my friends, my family, my happiness, and my future. It was awful, in so many ways. But what matters right now is this: No one should have to give up their dreams. Not because of some asshole trying to control them, and certainly not because they’re too scared to try.”
Reagan looked at her, not with pity, but with compassion and admiration. She reached over to touch Anna’s hand. “I’m so sorry, Anna. You are one hell of a strong woman to have made it out of a relationship like that. I know you’re right, I’m the only person holding myself back. Which is so stupid.”
“It’s not stupid, Reags. It’s hard to imagine taking such a huge leap of faith,” Callie held Reagan’s gaze with loving determination, “but I know how unhappy you are working a crappy job, with a jerk of a boss. And, you are an incredible baker. I honestly think your brownies could be a major success.”
“A fear of failure is understandable. But what do you fear most? Failing, or never trying,” Anna chimed in.
Reagan sagged back into her seat. “I know, I know. Be brave, reach for the stars, all that bull.” She straightened up and looked pointedly at Anna. “I’ll make you a deal. I will give some serious consideration to opening a bakery, if you’ll think about going back to school. Reclaim your dreams, Anna, and don’t let the asshole win.”
