Page 234 of Break Away
Briggs slapped the table. “That was a private culinary moment.”
Ryan leaned back. “You posted it yourself.”
“For support.”
Charm stood abruptly, smoothing her sweater. “Bathroom.”
Bliss shot up too. “Same. Very natural timing.”
I wiped my mouth with a napkin and slid out after them. “I suppose I’ll join this spontaneous bladder conference.”
Easton caught my wrist lightly as I passed. “You coming back?”
The question was quiet enough for only me to hear, and after everything we had survived, the softness in it hurt worse than the teasing.
I leaned down and kissed his cheek because apparently I was a woman who did that now. “Yes.”
His fingers loosened.
I followed the girls to the bathroom, and the second the door closed behind us, Bliss spun on Charm with the speed of a prosecutor.
“You are in love with Ryan.”
Charm removed her sunglasses slowly. “Good morning to you too.”
I leaned against the sink and crossed my arms. “The sunglasses were a terrible disguise.”
Charm looked at me. “You look like a woman who had morning sex loud enough to upset building management. I would be cautious with judgment.”
“Oh, I did. Fuck judgment.”
Bliss gasped. “Ay.”
“What? I’m healed, not dead.”
Charm pointed at me. “Exactly.”
Bliss turned back to her. “Ryan?”
Charm sighed and set her sunglasses on the counter. “Yes.”
Bliss squealed.
Charm slapped a hand over her mouth. “Do not summon the entire restaurant.”
Bliss mumbled through her fingers, “Why can’t this be good?”
Charm’s eyes flicked to the ceiling, and I saw the tears there.
Bliss pulled her hand away from her own mouth. “Are you okay?”
Charm’s expression softened. “Yes. I’m okay.”
“And Ryan?” I asked.
“Ryan is Ryan.”
“That was not an answer.”
