Death Tells A Tale (The Paul Monroe Mysteries Book 4) by Felice Stevens

Author:Felice Stevens [Stevens, Felice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Felice Stevens
Published: 2021-12-05T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“Moving, huh? That’s a big step. You loved your house when you bought it.”

Ryan sat across from him in the hotel dining room. They hadn’t had the chance to make lunch the day before, and Cliff was happy Ryan had the time to meet.

“I did. Still do. But Paul and I have outgrown it. With only two bedrooms, it just isn’t big enough.”

Ryan chewed on a fry. “I get it. So you put an offer in on Honeybrook Lane? That’s a real family area.” Steady blue eyes met his. “Anything you need to tell me?”

Cliff never liked keeping secrets, but until he told his parents, he couldn’t tell anyone else the news.

“We need an office for each of us. A three-bedroom house anywhere would be a family house, and it made sense to look in the area we’re most familiar with, since Paul’s partner lives there.” He hoped Ryan would be convinced and decided to change the subject to something more fun. “How’s Josh?”

Ryan snickered. “Nice switcheroo there, Cliffie. He’s good.”

“I’ll bet he is.”

Ryan tossed a fry at him. “Dumbass. But I actually have a little news myself.”

Cliff couldn’t contain a grin. “Yeah? Tell me.”

For a moment Ryan’s bright-blue eyes dimmed. “When Shelby was killed, it forced me to face the fact that I was in love with him and never had the chance to let him know. It hurt so bad that I swore not to let anyone get close to me again.”

“He was a great guy.” Cliff missed the big, good-natured man whenever all their friends got together.

“But Josh is a persistent man, and he wouldn’t give up on me.”

Cliff could believe that. After Shelby’s death, Cliff had taken Josh aside and cautioned him to take it slow and be a friend to Ryan first. If it was meant to be, it would happen. And whenever the four of them got together, Josh couldn’t take his eyes off Ryan—he was totally all in but gave Ryan breathing room as Cliff had advised.

“He’s a great guy with a big heart. And for some reason, he’s into you.”

“Stupid.” Ryan turned red. “Josh and I have built a deep friendship over the past couple of months. We’ve spent every weekend together—and most weeknights too when I haven’t been on tour—getting closer and learning about each other. I couldn’t imagine not having him in my life.” He held on to his glass of water, and Cliff knew there was something else going on. “And yet…it’s not the same as it was with Shelby.”

“No? Why not?”

“I didn’t realize what I was feeling with Shelby, and by the time I did, it was too late. It kind of sneaked up on me. And maybe I wasn’t ready to face it.”

“I can understand that. It was your first time experiencing love. What’s different with Josh?”

A smile crept over Ryan’s face. “He’s not afraid of anything, and he told me from the first he had a crush on me. I thought maybe it was just physical and it might burn out, but it’s way more than that.

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