Page 16 of Ashes to Ink

Landon narrowed his eyes. “It’s not going to happen. I knowthat you’ve already had to push your brother away numerous times, but you mighthave to do it again if he comes after you with her. I’m just saying.”

“I know. And it sucks. But I’m going on a date with a womanI respect and admire. And now I want to throw up because if I fuck this up,I’ll never forgive myself.”

“You’re not going to fuck this up.”

“You know Abby, Landon. She’s soft. She’s gentle. And she’sbeen through hell and back. I can’t believe she said yes.”

“She said yes because you’re a catch. Because you’re a goodman, and you’re not as rough-and-tumble as you think. She said yes because shelikes you. And if you both go slow, if you are as gentle as you think she is,you’ll be fine.”

“You’re not going to threaten my balls like the rest of themdid?” Ryan said with a laugh.

“I want nothing to do with your balls, Ryan. Contrary towhat others think, I really don’t care for that particular part of youranatomy.”

Ryan threw a hand towel at Landon and then laughed. Heneeded his friends. Because sometimes, he felt like he was all alone, staringinto an abyss full of the answers to the problems he had made for himself. Heknew that Michael wasn’t gone forever. His parents might be, their decisionsforever weighing on him, but Michael would be back.

Though for now, he was going to push those thoughts to theside.

Because tonight was about him and Abby.

Tonight was about another first. And no matter what, hewasn’t going to fuck it up.

Chapter Five

Abby answered the door after the first ring and almost swallowedher tongue at the sight before her. Ryan looked hot.

Of course she’d known he was hot, especially consideringthat she hadn’t been able to take her eyes off of him whenever he walked into aroom.

But tonight he wore dark jeans and a black button-up, allunder a thick leather jacket.

It might be cold outside, but it was sure hot in here.

Apparently, her mind was now making really bad jokes, butshe couldn’t really help herself.

“You look amazing,” Ryan said softly. “Seriously amazing.”

She smiled and looked down at herself. She wore tall,knee-high black boots over her thick tights that were a criss-crossplaid. Then she had on a nice knitted wrap dress that showcased her curves butnot so much that she felt self-conscious. She’d left her hair down in softwaves that had actually taken her a while to get right.

Her hair was sort of a fluffy mess if she didn’t handle it injust the right way. It was either not curly enough or too curly. Other days, itwas a little straight, a little flat, or a mix of everything all at once.

So she had spent some time getting ready, trying to makesure that she didn’t look like a complete crazy woman when she went on herdate.

Ryan didn’t seem to mind her hair or her curves, consideringthat she had a good amount of cleavage in this dress.

Not too much, and not too little. Just right.

Apparently, she was going to be running Goldilocks throughher head during this date.

Yes, she’d dated since Max, but those two times didn’treally count in her head. They hadn’t lasted more than the one date each, andshe definitely didn’t have the same butterflies she did now.

Why was she doing this again?

Ryan smiled at her. Oh yeah, that’s why.

“You look nice yourself,” she said, her voice far toobreathy. “I just need to get my bag and my jacket.”

“No problem. Is Julia in tonight? Or is she off at thebabysitter’s?”

Abby sucked in a breath when Ryan helped her with her coat,his breath warm on the back of her neck. He’d moved her hair out of the way sohe could slide her jacket over her shoulders, and she tried not to shiver athis touch or nearness.