“Then let’s bring him in. He’s Manny’s age, isn’t he? Has he been retired for a while?”
“A couple years.”
“Does he have family? Will he want to move here for good, or just the winter?”
“No. He’s been divorced almost as long as I’ve known him. It’ll just be him and I’d guess he wants to stay.”
“Awesome. I’ll look forward to seeing him again.”
“Yeah. Who’d have thought when I first came to ask you to work security for my team that all these years later, you’d be the one hiring me and Cal?”
“Not me,” said Dan. “But sometimes things turn around like that and end up being the opposite of what you expected.”
Ryan narrowed his eyes. “Why do I get the impression that you’re talking about Leanne again?”
Dan smiled. “Am I talking about her or are you thinking about her?”
Ryan blew out a sigh. “I was trying not to. I was hoping to forget all about her.”
“But that’s not possible?”
Ryan shrugged.
“Did you give any thought to what I said last night?”
“What?” He knew what Dan meant; he only asked to buy himself some time.
“That you’re still in love with her.”
Ryan shook his head. “Honestly? I’ve tried not to let myself go anywhere near that thought.”
“But you can’t stay away from it?”
He pursed his lips. “More like everyone I talk to is asking the same question.”
“And what’s your answer?”
“I can’t be. How could I love a woman who didn’t believe in me—who didn’t love me enough to believe me?”
Dan shrugged. “I don’t know the answer to that. But I do have another question for you.”
“What?”
“Did you not love her enough to convince her?”
Ryan’s hand balled into a fist at his side. “I loved her enough.”
“But you gave up, just like she did.”
Ryan shook his head. “She gave up on us. I just accepted that.”
“Did you? If you accepted it, why are you still mad at her? If you don’t care, if you don’t love her anymore, why are you still angry all these years later?”
Ryan stared at him for a long time. “You’re right.”
Dan grinned. “I knew you’d admit it in the end. You’re only mad at her because you still love her.”
“No, I mean that you’re right that there’s no reason for me to be mad at her. Thanks. I can let it go now.”
Dan ran his hand over the stubble on his chin. “I don’t get it.”
“What I’m saying is that you’re right. There’s no need for me to hang on to all that old resentment. It doesn’t matter anymore. I’ll let it go. Because she doesn’t have that kind of control over me anymore because …” He wanted to say because I don’t love her anymore, but he couldn’t force the words out. “It’s in the past.”
“If you say so.”
“I say so.” He was tired of all this going around and around. He just wanted to live a quiet life. The easiest way to do that was to get them all off his back. And the way to do that was to say, to decide that he just didn’t care anymore.
“Okay. Subject closed. I won’t say another word.”
“Thanks.” Ryan stared at him, needing to move on. “Anyway, how’s Missy?”
Dan’s smile was genuine now. “She’s great. She’s doing her placements at the high school. They’ve already said that they want to hire her when she’s finished. And the timing will work out perfectly. Mrs. Kellerman, who’s been the guidance counselor for years, will be ready to retire by then.”
“That’s good. She’s worked hard these last few years, hasn’t she?”
“She has. When I first met her, she’d given up on the idea.”
“Well, you tell her I said hi.”
Dan chuckled. “You can say hi to her yourself tonight. I wouldn’t push my luck at this point, but I talked to Manny and he said that he and Nina are going to get you to the Boathouse tonight come hell or high water. I know Manny’s a badass, but I think it’s probably Nina you can’t say no to.”
“Yeah.” Ryan gave him a rueful smile. “She’s a sweetheart.”
“She is. It makes me laugh. You’d argue with Manny, but you’ll go meekly for Nina.”
“It’s true. I’d never want to upset her. She’s so sweet.”
Dan raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.
Ryan knew what he was getting at, but he wasn’t going to go there.
~ ~ ~
Leanne checked her watch. Donovan should be arriving soon. She picked up her phone and took it out onto the balcony.
“According to the navigation, I’m about twenty minutes out,” he answered.
“Great. And how do you feel about all this?”
“Huh?”
“Are you excited?”
Donovan laughed. “You sound like Leanne Miller and you’re calling me from her phone, but who are you?”
Leanne rolled her eyes. “I am the version of Leanne Miller who you get once we’re outside of the firm. And you’d better get used to it.”
“Yes, boss.”
“And don’t call me boss.”
“Err, no, boss.”
She laughed. “Stop it. I know this is all a bit sudden. But I couldn’t leave you there at Anderson’s mercy. I felt bad abandoning you. I think I’m going to end up working up here and I’m going to need an assistant. You’re the best I’ve worked with. So, if you want to come with me, I’d love to keep you on. This week will give you a chance to get a feel for the place and see what you think. And don’t worry, if it’s not for you, I’ll help you get in with another group at the firm or help you find something somewhere else. Sound fair?”
“Thanks Leanne. It sounds more than fair. I’ll be honest; I wasn’t expecting you to come back. I’ve been putting feelers out since you told me about you going to Summer Lake. It didn’t occur to me that you might want me to come. And going back to your original question: yes, I’m excited. Obviously, I want to know more about what the job will entail, but come on … working for Dan Benson? The guy’s a legend.”
Leanne had to laugh at that. “Yeah. I suppose he is. I forget that. To me, he’s the best friend I’ve ever had. He’s a sweetheart. And don’t go calling him a legend when you get here, will you? You’ll embarrass him.”
“I won’t. And don’t worry. I won’t embarrass you either.”
“I know that.” She was tempted to tell him that she might embarrass him. That she might have to ask him to play the role of her boyfriend. She’d have to explain to him that she’d told Ryan that. But she’d wait until he got here. She didn’t want him spending the rest of the drive worrying about what he was getting himself into.