Fire and Midnight by Sandra Renee Appet

Author:Sandra Renee Appet [Appet, Sandra Renee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Published: 2016-10-15T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Ryan reached for her before opening his eyes. Over a few short days, he’d fallen hard for this woman who’d landed in his life, and he wasn’t about to let her go.

Right now, however, her side of the bed was cold. He sat up and glanced toward the bathroom. No Jane.

He pulled on a pair of sweatpants and ventured downstairs in search of her. He began to panic when he didn’t find her bouncing around the kitchen, making breakfast. Then his heartbeat steadied as he heard music coming from the direction of the sliding glass door, which she’d left partially open.

In the span of a couple days, the patio had become her favorite area of his home. She’d talked him into taking her to a garden center, where they bought several wooden planters and potted flowers. On the way back, they’d picked up an outside speaker. Ryan watched as Jane’s foot tapped against the empty chair, keeping the beat of a Top Forty song playing in the background while she worked on her laptop. He leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb and appreciated her for a moment. He had to admit, she’d become a fixture in his home. Having her near him was as easy as breathing.

Her phone buzzed on the table next to her, interrupting the peaceful scene. He saw Jane glance at the display and frown before sliding her thumb over the screen. Ryan had come to recognize the faint worry line that appeared on her forehead.

“Hi, Paul. Yes, I know. I just needed a few mental health days to clear my head. I understand. I’ll be back in the office tomorrow. … Yes … see you then.”

Ryan pulled open the slider and locked gazes with her. “You wouldn’t have to deal with that if you had your own business.”

Her eyes looked as sad as they’d been when he first met her. “I also wouldn’t be guaranteed the much-needed paycheck.” She dropped her phone back onto the table. “I guess you heard.”

He nodded.

“I’ll take the last flight out tonight.”

“I knew I couldn’t keep you here forever,” he said. “But when will you be back in town?”

Jane stood. “Ryan. Don’t—”

He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t do this. I live in New York. You live here. That won’t change.”

He shook his head. “I’m not asking for that to change, at least for now. We can still have a relationship, even if it’s long-distance.”

“That won’t work,” she said quietly.

“Why not?” he demanded.

She looked away. “It wouldn’t be fair to you.”

“The way I see it, you’re not being fair to me by not giving this a chance.”

“Don’t you see? I’m a forty-year-old divorcee with a kid in college. I come with baggage you don’t need. You’re—” She shrugged. “Well, how old are you anyway?”

“Thirty-two, but I don’t see—”

“Thirty-two. You don’t need to be tied down to someone like me at thirty-two. You have women like Tilly fawning over you daily.”

Ryan took a step forward. “First, you’re not forty. You’re thirty-nine. You can’t claim forty until December.

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