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“Nah. I think I’m one and done with those, unless you have a new technique. Ooh, I could write about it. It might make a fun little segment in the piece. What do you think?” The words tumbled from me as my fingers flew across my laptop keyboard.
“I think you might want to switch to decaf for this round.” Without missing a beat, he headed to the counter and soon returned with two coffees. His cup was gigantic, and I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at its size.
“What was it you said about laying off the decaf?”
“This is my first cup in a couple days. I’m not a big coffee drinker.”
“Sure. You just get your week’s worth in one cup.”
“Here’s yours. The barista made a pumpkin-maple something so you don’t miss the caffeine.”
“Thanks," I said, taking the cup he had bought for me.
My gaze shifted again to his massive coffee cup, and I couldn't resist a playful remark. "That's a good way to reverse a relaxing therapy session."
Ryder's response was guarded, his eyes avoiding mine. "I still got a lot ahead of me today. Gotta fuel up for the night."
As I sipped my coffee, I couldn't shake the curiosity gnawing at me. What was Ryder's day going to entail? I knew better than to pry into his personal business, especially after our previous interactions, but the question lingered in my mind. What was he preparing for, and where was he headed later tonight?
I decided to be bold and start digging. “Heading somewhere special?"
“Are you asking me if I’m going on a date again?” He shrugged, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Some fancy wine and dine stuff. Not my scene, but it is what it is."
“Wining and dining? Now I’m curious.”
“Of course you’d be.”
I took an innocent sip of my sugary autumn-flavored drink. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re a nosy reporter.” Before I could protest at the name calling, he gave the tip of my nose a light, playful tap as he leaned close. “There’s one thing you should know about me, Ava.” His mouth was inches from mine. Heat swirled in my body. “I never kiss and tell.”
Chapter Three
AVA
“We’ll talk more some other time.” Ryder gave me a lingering smile before he moved his face away from mine. He grabbed his gallon-size coffee cup, leaving the cafe and me sitting there at the table in the back. Dirty thoughts swirled in my mind while I watched him walk away in his well-fitting jeans.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I almost spilled coffee on my laptop as I reached to grab it. The incoming call was from Emily, my old friend from high school. We kept in touch through social media for years. She was the first to know when I headed back to Sunridge for this assignment. She insisted I stay at her apartment while I was in town, but I politely declined. She didn’t need to know how messy a roommate I could be while I was on deadline.
“Hey, Em.”
“What are you doing right now?” In typical Emily fashion, she cut right to the chase. Maybe that was why we stayed friends for so long.
“Um, trying to figure out if a hot guy is flirting with me.”
“Well, don’t let me interrupt.”
“He already left. I think he found my jokes a little too on the nose.”
“I don’t get your corny jokes sometimes. Anyway, you have plans tonight.”
“I do?” I switched the phone to my other ear. “Since when?”
“I know it's a bit out of the blue, but a friend of mine who works in City Hall had a spare ticket for the mayor’s ball tonight. I thought of you immediately.”
"I always wanted to go to one of those when I was younger.”
“You’re all grown up so here’s your chance."
