an impish grin.
Melanie gave Ryann a kiss on the cheek. “Call me.” She bestowed Payton with a nod and a smile, which Payton returned.
Ryann took a drink and gazed at Payton. “Melanie admitted that she knew about Leigh beforehand and how she found out.”
Payton felt like her lungs had dropped into her stomach. “Ryann, I’m sorry. I was very torn about what to do, and I know I made the wrong decision.”
“I was mad at you for a little while, but I tried to put myself in your shoes, and I wasn’t sure how I would’ve handled it, either. Had I been the type to blame the messenger instead of the guilty party, it could’ve damaged your relationship with Jana.”
“You’re giving me more latitude than I deserve. This is only the third time we’ve talked, but I think I know you better than that. Will you forgive me?”
“I already did.” Ryann leaned in close to her. “Don’t let it happen again, or you may find chicken under your sofa.”
Payton swallowed hard. The threat had no effect, but Ryann’s closeness and the scent of her perfume did. “You have my word.”
Ryann sat up straight. “Do you always drink apple martinis?”
“This is the second one I’ve ever had. The night I walked in here, I saw it on the drink special board and thought it was worth a try. It tastes like candy with a kick.”
“May I try it?”
Payton scooted the glass over to Ryann and watched as she lifted it to her lips. Ryann’s brow furrowed, and she smacked her lips. “That is really sweet.” She handed the drink back to Payton.
“You don’t like it.”
“Not sure yet. Do you gamble?”
“Is this a trick question?”
“I haven’t been to a casino in ages, and I think I’d like to play the slots this weekend. Want to join me?”
“Only if you make me this promise. I’ll have a set amount of cash in my pocket. Don’t let me lose any more than that.”
Ryann’s lips curved into a smile. “You do the same for me.” She tilted her head to the side and stared at Payton. “Your hair has really grown out in a year’s time,” she said as she touched the loose curls resting on Payton’s shoulder.
“Here’s the thing about short hair, at least in my case, it grows really fast. It seemed like I was in my hairdresser’s chair all the time, so I just let it do its thing. Does it look bad?”
“No, it’s pretty.”
Warmth flooded Payton as Ryann studied her. “Thanks.”
Ryann smiled and looked away. “I got a new place. It’s an apartment not far from Shelly, and logistically, it might be kind of a mistake because it’s very convenient for her to get to. Last weekend, I slept in, and I thought I was dreaming when I smelled coffee. Shelly had let herself in, brewed a pot, and was doing what she called organization of my pantry.”
“She’s mothering you, isn’t she?”
“Oh, yeah, and she also uses my place as an escape. Whenever Evan relieves her of momma duties, she comes right over. She’s decorated it more than I have. Shelly’s a lot like my mom. She collects furniture, and her house is crammed full of things she bought secondhand. She likes to refinish it. My place is mostly furnished with stuff she had in her attic.” Ryann took a drink and cleared her throat. “I didn’t really want anything from what I will now refer to as the old house. I needed a fresh start, so I took only my clothes and personal items.”
Payton gazed at Ryann for a moment. “What can I do for you?”
“I don’t know.” Ryann chewed at her bottom lip. “Just…don’t get too far away. I don’t know what I can or should offer right now.”
“I’m gonna give you my phone number, and I want yours. We’ll just take it from there.”
Ryann nodded and smiled. “Okay.”
Chapter 11
“She was so sweet,” Ryann said with a smile. “How could I not fall in love with her?”
“I’m sure you both were a little wary,” Olivia said.
“Yes and no.” Ryann glanced at Payton and smiled. “We
Melanie gave Ryann a kiss on the cheek. “Call me.” She bestowed Payton with a nod and a smile, which Payton returned.
Ryann took a drink and gazed at Payton. “Melanie admitted that she knew about Leigh beforehand and how she found out.”
Payton felt like her lungs had dropped into her stomach. “Ryann, I’m sorry. I was very torn about what to do, and I know I made the wrong decision.”
“I was mad at you for a little while, but I tried to put myself in your shoes, and I wasn’t sure how I would’ve handled it, either. Had I been the type to blame the messenger instead of the guilty party, it could’ve damaged your relationship with Jana.”
“You’re giving me more latitude than I deserve. This is only the third time we’ve talked, but I think I know you better than that. Will you forgive me?”
“I already did.” Ryann leaned in close to her. “Don’t let it happen again, or you may find chicken under your sofa.”
Payton swallowed hard. The threat had no effect, but Ryann’s closeness and the scent of her perfume did. “You have my word.”
Ryann sat up straight. “Do you always drink apple martinis?”
“This is the second one I’ve ever had. The night I walked in here, I saw it on the drink special board and thought it was worth a try. It tastes like candy with a kick.”
“May I try it?”
Payton scooted the glass over to Ryann and watched as she lifted it to her lips. Ryann’s brow furrowed, and she smacked her lips. “That is really sweet.” She handed the drink back to Payton.
“You don’t like it.”
“Not sure yet. Do you gamble?”
“Is this a trick question?”
“I haven’t been to a casino in ages, and I think I’d like to play the slots this weekend. Want to join me?”
“Only if you make me this promise. I’ll have a set amount of cash in my pocket. Don’t let me lose any more than that.”
Ryann’s lips curved into a smile. “You do the same for me.” She tilted her head to the side and stared at Payton. “Your hair has really grown out in a year’s time,” she said as she touched the loose curls resting on Payton’s shoulder.
“Here’s the thing about short hair, at least in my case, it grows really fast. It seemed like I was in my hairdresser’s chair all the time, so I just let it do its thing. Does it look bad?”
“No, it’s pretty.”
Warmth flooded Payton as Ryann studied her. “Thanks.”
Ryann smiled and looked away. “I got a new place. It’s an apartment not far from Shelly, and logistically, it might be kind of a mistake because it’s very convenient for her to get to. Last weekend, I slept in, and I thought I was dreaming when I smelled coffee. Shelly had let herself in, brewed a pot, and was doing what she called organization of my pantry.”
“She’s mothering you, isn’t she?”
“Oh, yeah, and she also uses my place as an escape. Whenever Evan relieves her of momma duties, she comes right over. She’s decorated it more than I have. Shelly’s a lot like my mom. She collects furniture, and her house is crammed full of things she bought secondhand. She likes to refinish it. My place is mostly furnished with stuff she had in her attic.” Ryann took a drink and cleared her throat. “I didn’t really want anything from what I will now refer to as the old house. I needed a fresh start, so I took only my clothes and personal items.”
Payton gazed at Ryann for a moment. “What can I do for you?”
“I don’t know.” Ryann chewed at her bottom lip. “Just…don’t get too far away. I don’t know what I can or should offer right now.”
“I’m gonna give you my phone number, and I want yours. We’ll just take it from there.”
Ryann nodded and smiled. “Okay.”
Chapter 11
“She was so sweet,” Ryann said with a smile. “How could I not fall in love with her?”
“I’m sure you both were a little wary,” Olivia said.
“Yes and no.” Ryann glanced at Payton and smiled. “We
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