Ryan gave him a wry smile. “I know. And she was determined not to believe me, but I think that’s cracked now. And I have to take advantage of it and finally get through to her.”
Dan glanced back at the resort.
“What’s up?”
“I’m just thinking that I might drop in on her before I go home. See if I can’t help lay some groundwork. I haven’t had the chance to catch up with her properly. Not just the two of us. I’ll be honest, I was trying to avoid her wrath, and then when we did get together, it’s been all work and Donovan’s been with her.”
Ryan glanced up at the balcony outside her room. Of course, he knew which one it was. He pictured her inside and wished that he could be the one to go and see her.
Dan caught his gaze. “Or do you want to go?”
“I want to. But …” He thought about it. She’d agreed to have dinner with him tomorrow, but maybe catching her off guard now would be better? No. Patience had never been one of his strong points, but in this situation, he was going to try it. “No. I’m going to wait until tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Dan took his phone out. “You’re probably wiser to wait.” He smiled. “And I’m going to call her first.”
Ryan chuckled. “Coward.”
“I prefer to think of it as prudent.” Dan grinned. “And you’re the same.”
“I am,” he admitted. He watched Dan dial her number and wait.
“Hey, Lee … are you free? … Yeah. Miss is out with the girls tonight and I just had dinner … Okay. How about I meet you at the Boathouse whenever you’re ready? … See you in a little while.” He hung up and smiled at Ryan. “She’s going to meet me at the bar for a drink.”
Ryan turned around and started heading back to the restaurant.
Dan hurried after him. “Where are you going?”
“To wait with you.”
“I thought you didn’t want …”
“I don’t.” The truth was, he just wanted to see her face. “I’ll leave as soon as she arrives. I just want to see how she reacts to me. She got out of my office just as fast as she could this afternoon. When I see how she reacts to me being here with you, I’ll know why.”
“Okay.” Dan didn’t look happy about it. “But you’re just going to say hi and then leave?”
“I promise.”
~ ~ ~
Leanne went to the closet and pulled out a dress. She’d thought she was in for the night and after eating a salad she’d ordered from room service; she’d taken a shower and changed into her pajamas intending to find a movie to watch. It wasn’t like her. But she needed some downtime. She felt as though she’d been running at full speed ever since she’d first seen Ryan in the airport on Friday.
She might need some downtime, but Dan’s call had changed that. Time with Dan would do her as much good, perhaps more. Sure, she’d spent most of the day with him, but that had been work. The two of them hadn’t had any real time together since she’d arrived.
She got dressed and fixed her makeup. She was still a full warpaint kind of girl. She stood back to check the mirror. There. Anyone who saw her would see Leanne Miller. Accomplished attorney. Designer jeans, perfectly cut cashmere sweater cut low enough to show just a hint of cleavage, full makeup. Basically, a well put together, professional … cold, hard bitch. She shrugged. It kept people away; that was all that mattered.
She let herself out and smiled as she passed Donovan’s room. He’d gone out with Brayden and some of the other techy guys tonight. She was glad that he fit in so well with them. Glad for him and glad that it meant she didn’t need to feel so responsible for him. He was a grown man with his own life, and she didn’t need to be dragging him into the middle of her issues.
She trotted down the steps rather than wait for the elevator. Elevators reminded her of Ryan, and she’d promised herself she wasn’t going to think about him tonight. She’d deal with him tomorrow night when she had to, and not before.
She stopped dead when she opened the door to the restaurant and saw him sitting at the bar with Dan. She was tempted to turn around and walk straight back out. What did Dan think he was playing at? He should know that she wouldn’t have agreed to come if she’d known …
Ryan turned and met her gaze, and her heart raced in response. He didn’t smile. He just looked straight into her eyes, and she couldn’t help but stare right back into his.
“Excuse me.” It was only when someone tried to get in behind her that she realized that she was standing frozen in the doorway.
She pulled herself together and made her way inside.
“Lee!” Dan got down from his seat and greeted her with one of his rare hugs.
When he let go of her, Ryan stepped forward. Damn the man. She’d been far too close to him once already today. Her breath caught in her chest when he closed his arms around her and hugged her close to his chest. Her eyes closed, and for a moment, she sagged against him. He’d been right the other night; it sure felt like she belonged in his arms. NO! She stepped back quickly, feeling as though she might drown in the smell and the feel of him if she stayed there another second.
He smiled down at her. “You look great. I wish I could stay, but I was just leaving.”
Her heart sank. And what was that about? She didn’t want him here. She wanted to hang out with Dan, just the two of them. But as Ryan turned and walked away, she knew that was a lie. She wished he wasn’t leaving.
He turned back when he reached the door and smiled when he saw that she was watching him go. Then he winked and closed the door behind him. She blew out a sigh and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“Are you okay?” asked Dan.
“Yeah. You could have warned me.”
He smiled. “Why? I thought there wasn’t an issue—isn’t that what you told me?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t push your luck with me, Daniel Benson.”
He laughed. “Okay. I know I’m in danger when you call me Daniel.”
“You are. Now, get me a drink and tell me why you really called.”
He rubbed his hand over his cheek. “You’re going to pretend you don’t know?”
“No. I just want you to spell it out in case I’m missing any details.” She rolled her eyes. “As we both know, I’m a bit off-kilter at the moment. So, if I’m missing anything, I need you to fill me in.”
Kenzie came over and greeted them with a grin. “Hey, you two! I love seeing you guys together. It makes me laugh.”
Leanne had to laugh at that. “Is that any way to greet your customers? Telling them that they make you laugh?”
“You know what I mean. I think it’s awesome. Dan’s so quiet and serious. You’re so in-your-face. Hmm. I’m not making this sound any better, am I? But I’m not taking it back. You both know damned well what I mean. It’s just so cool. You’re such unlikely friends, but such good friends. Anyway. I’m going to stop talking before I mess up completely. What can I get you?”