"Can we?" I press my palms together. "Please."
"Ryan, come on. You're too beautiful to stay anonymous." Dean nudges his brother.
"You're indie publishing?" Walker asks.
"If I had a cover this hot, I'd have to." She giggles as she studies the guys' reactions.
I turn to Ryan. Push him with a bluff. "You wouldn't deny a young woman her dreams?"
"You heard my fee," he says.
"Let's cut that down to a flat rate." She motions show me the next one.
I do.
Her eyes glue to the screen. "This one is gorgeous too. Leighton, you're good at this."
My blush spreads over my cheeks.
"Really. I look at expensive covers sometimes. Consider how much it would cost to put a book together. This—this is top-tier."
"I'm just…" I swallow hard. "Thanks."
Dean interrupts my moment. "What do you say, Kay? Need a model for book two?"
"I'm not offering a fee," she says.
He laughs. "Cold-blooded negotiator. I can see why Brendon likes you."
"That must be it," she says.
Dean turns back to Ryan. "You want more good news?"
"I'm terrified," Ryan deadpans.
"I set up interviews for new artists. A few are coming in tomorrow." Dean smiles wide. "Gonna be great."
"Yeah." Ryan runs his hand through his hair.
The shop quiets as Dean pulls him, and Walker, into a private conversation.
Kaylee settles onto a stool next to mine. Catches me staring at Ryan. "I'm not clear on your relationship with Ryan."
"His ex is getting married. I offered to pretend to be his girlfriend."
"Oh. That seems—"
"Foolish?"
"A little."
"It is."
She looks to me. "You like him, huh?"
I clear my throat.
"A lot."
"Maybe."
"It sucks, wanting someone you can't have."
"You have him now."
"Yeah." She pulls up something on her computer. "But I didn't for a long time. And I hated every minute of it."
"It would be worse, not having anything."
"Yeah. It would."
"He's good to you?"
"He's everything."
I try to focus on my design, but I can't. Ryan is whispering about something. And Kaylee is here.
She got Brendon to unlock his heart.
He's not quite as miserable and brooding as Ryan.
But he's in the same tier.
Fuck, it's embarrassing asking an eighteen-year-old for advice. But I know when I'm outclassed.
"How did you do it?" I ask.
"Hmm?"
"Get him to open up to you?"
"I'm not sure. But I'm glad I did." Her pink lips curl into a smile. "I wish I could be more helpful."
"I think you might have been."
"Really?"
"Yeah." I tap my heels together. "He's not coming in for another hour."
"I know. I had to get out of the apartment. Emma was driving me bonkers."
"Trouble in paradise?"
She laughs. "More like trouble with my headphones' soundproofing."
"She's having sex this early?"
Kaylee laughs. "Her music was too loud."
"Emma has great taste."
"But I can only take so much of it."
Ryan breaks from the conversation. Moves toward the counter. "You really gonna take Leighton's cover?"
"Not this one. But I'd love if she designed one." She looks to me. "I can pay you."
"No. It's on me." My lips curl into a smile. It feels good, being appreciated.
"We should finish your portfolio tonight," Ryan says.
I nod, even though it's nearly finished.
"My place. At seven. We can walk over after work," he says.
"I'll be here." I watch him return to his suite.
Kaylee turns to me. "You're sure it's one-way?"
"I was." But now…
Now it seems like there's a chance.
Chapter Nineteen
Leighton
"I still say we should get street tacos."
Ryan shakes his head you're ridiculous as he locks the front door. He kicks off his shoes and tosses his keys on the dining table. "I'm cooking."
I slide out of my sandals. Set my messenger bag on the floor. "What if I want street tacos?"
"When's the last time you ate a home cooked meal?"
"You made me breakfast."
"That I didn't make you?"
Uh… It's been awhile. "I don't cook."
"Exactly." He slides his backpack off his shoulders, sets it on the plain black dining chair. "I want to know you're eating food."
My chest gets light. He's insisting on feeding me. It's some deep seated, primal love.
I argue anyway. "Tacos are food."
He makes that get real sound.
"They're a balanced meal. Meat, bread, vegetables."
"Vegetables?" He moves into the kitchen. "Really?"
"Avocados."
"Are a fruit."
"Salsa."
"Tomatoes too."
"Onions."
His eyes light up as he chuckles. "Whatever you want to believe, Leigh." He grabs a pan, sets it on the stove, turns the burner on. "Come here." His voice drops to this demanding tone. One I never hear.
My sex clenches. "Oh?"
"I'm gonna teach you how to make stir fry."
"I'd rather you make it for me."
"Me too." He coats the pan with oil. "But we're not gonna be able to do this forever."
"We're not?"
His eyes tinge with disappointment as he turns back to me. "Don't make me bring him up."
"Who?"
He shoots me a really look.
Oh. He means Mr. Powers. Because he still doesn't know I'm actually head over heels for him. "Why would that matter?"
"Let's not do this again."
"Yeah, but…" I bite my lip. I want Ryan to know. But only if he wants me back. Only if he wants more.
If he doesn't…
There's too much risk of losing him forever.
I follow him into the kitchen. "I don't see why you can't cook me dinner if I ever decide I'm dating again."
"'Cause it's fucked."
"How?"
"'Cause it is." He points to the fridge. "Get out the chicken breast."
"Do we have to use chicken breast?"
He arches a brow.
"It's slimy and weird."
"You like eating it."
"Thus proving my point about how it's better if you cook. You love cooking. I love eating. It's a perfect arrangement."
He shakes his head.
"Why not?"
"I'd never let some guy cook for my girlfriend."