The New Guy by Kathryn Freeman

Author:Kathryn Freeman [Freeman, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2020-01-03T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

The swim had done its job and Ryan felt a lot better as he strolled back up to the house. Relaxed enough, he figured, to tackle the two women who’d been in his thoughts today, for two very different reasons.

Sam, he’d approach later. He’d seen how on edge she was at the end of the meeting. What she needed right now was someone who’d make her laugh and take her out of her head for a while. Though it gutted him to acknowledge it, that man wasn’t him. From the way Lucas was making a beeline for her, Ryan knew he didn’t have to worry. The guy, as always, had her back.

It was daft to feel jealous as he watched the easy way Lucas hugged her. Or the way her face lit up a moment later as she gave him a playful shove.

Didn’t stop him feeling it.

Spotting Alice standing alone, staring down at her phone again, Ryan strode over to her. Just because he was crap at handling difficult, emotionally charged situations didn’t mean he shouldn’t try.

‘Can I get you a drink?’

Her head shot up. ‘Umm, thanks, but I’ve got one.’ She nodded to the untouched glass of wine on the table behind her.

Great. Now what did he say? ‘Looking forward to heading back tomorrow?’

A cloud crossed her face and Ryan mentally smacked himself round the head. She’s scared of her boyfriend, dimwit. That’s what you’ve come to talk to her about.

She avoided his eyes. ‘Not especially. I like it here.’

Silence descended.

‘Have you been to—’

‘Did you have a good—’

Ryan winced, wishing once again that he had Lucas’s charm. Sam’s easy way with people. ‘You first.’

‘I just wondered if you enjoyed your swim.’ Alice slipped the phone she seemed glued to into her jeans pocket. ‘Lucas told us that’s where you’d headed.’

‘Yeah. Bracing, I think, is the word they use. Frigging freezing, too.’

It squeezed a smile out of her. ‘I bet.’

Another round of silence, though this time less tense. Ryan dragged in a lungful of air and decided to go for it. ‘Look, about what I said yesterday at dinner.’ Ignoring the way she stilled, he pushed on. ‘I’m not here to pry. It’s your business. But I’d hate you to go through what my mum did.’ As her eyes looked everywhere but at him, Ryan’s heart sank. Stupid to think he could help, just plain stupid. She was probably as scared of him as she was her boyfriend. ‘Just know I’m here if you need me for anything.’ When she said nothing, he let out a long, slow breath. ‘Okay. I’m going to check out the food.’

He’d taken three steps away when he heard her quiet voice behind him. ‘Thank you.’

He turned, nodded and gave her a small smile, which she reciprocated. Holding tight to the small victory, he ambled over to the giant barbecue, his stomach rumbling as he sniffed the smoky, chargrilled aroma.

Becky appeared at his side, smirking up at him. ‘That’s the most animated I’ve seen you all day.

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