Text Appeal by Lexi Ryan Page B

position to someone else.”
    Lacey gaped. “He didn’t!”
    “I’m sorry to say it’s true.”
    “Well, that’s his loss, Riley, because you would have made the best GM Grand Escape had ever seen.”
    Riley looked into her friend’s eyes. She was so grateful to have Lacey. “I don’t know if that’s true, but it’s really irrelevant. My father doesn’t want me in management. He wants me married and out of the corporate world.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I can’t believe I never saw it before, but he could have had me working any number of places in that hotel that would have better prepared me for the job. Instead, he kept me by his side working as a glorified secretary. I thought it was so he could show me the ropes, but he really just wanted to keep an eye on me.”
    Lacey didn’t reply.
    Riley had to close her eyes. At twenty-six years old, she should have started making her own decisions a long time ago rather than allowing her father to make them for her. “You knew, though, didn’t you?”
    When she opened her eyes again, Lacey was biting her lip.
    Riley shook her head. “It’s okay. I can see it now.” She could also see that her father was trying to transfer the reins of her life to Chaz .
    “I’m sorry, Riley,” Lacey whispered.
    Riley shrugged. “It’s not your fault.”
    “How could he—”
    She held up her hands before her friend began a speech in her defense. “That doesn’t matter now. I’m done being controlled. I have some money saved up, and—if you’ll still be my roommate—I can start looking for a new job where I’m just me, not somebody’s daughter.”
    “What about dance?” Lacey asked softly.
    Riley reached over and squeezed her friend’s hand. “It’s sweet of you to suggest it, but I don’t think I have what it takes to make it in that world.” Riley wrapped her arms around her friend. “Thanks. For everything.” On the table, her phone buzzed.
    Lacey sniffed. “I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
    “So you’ll put up with me for another year?” Riley asked.
    Lacey laughed. “As long as you want. Now I’ll leave you alone. I think someone’s trying to get a hold of you.”
    Riley snatched her phone from the table. She had a message from Chaz . She frowned. She knew she was asking a lot after he put himself out there today, but she needed some space before she could make a decision.
    She opened the message: Tell me the truth. What did last night mean to you?
     
    ***
     
    Charlie didn’t know what the hell he was doing. He didn’t have anything to offer Riley. He’d show her respect and affection, sure, but for what? A week before he left town again? On the other hand, any internal conflict he had about talking Riley out of marrying Chaz was laid to rest when he remembered the way Chaz had acted at the Black Diamond yesterday.
    Charlie might not know much about love and lasting relationships, but he knew that if Riley was going to have one, she deserved someone a hell of a lot better than that.
    His phone beeped and he found himself half-surprised she’d responded. Newly engaged, she wouldn’t have been wrong to ignore him. Which part?
    He winced. He wanted to believe the whole night had meant something to her, but maybe for Riley their messages had been nothing but cheap, modern day phone sex. If their erotic texts had meant nothing, he didn’t want to know it. Start with dinner.
    It was supposed to be innocent. But then it became something more. That’s why I can’t wear that ring.
    Charlie straightened. Holy shit. She wasn’t wearing the ring. Had she refused Chaz ? And had she done it for Charlie?
    He should call her. This conversation was too important to have over text messages. No, even the phone wasn’t good enough.
    I think we should talk.
    I just need time. I’m not ready to make a decision yet.
    Charlie closed his eyes. There was a God. Good. You should take your time. The man who marries you is the luckiest guy on