“I’ll make time,” I said, pulling out some potatoes and washing them in the sink. “I’ll always make time for you, Future Mrs. Ginger.” I’d started teasing Lucah about his hair color long before I met Ryder, who also shared the redhead gene. But Ryder’s hair was a darker, deeper red.
“You’re the best. And I’m glad you and Ryder didn’t . . . you know. I just think it would be a complication in your life that you definitely don’t need right now. Ryder is . . .” Damaged. Broken. Needed to go to the repair shop.
“I know. I know. I’m going to stay away from him. It’s the best thing for the both of us.”
Rory nodded in satisfaction. “Need any help?”
“You have got to be kidding.”
She smiled. “Yup. I would never try and usurp your throne as kitchen queen.” Damn right.
Three
It was safe to say dinner that night was tense. Lucah was trying his best not to be a complete asshole, which I appreciated. Rory helped by trying to get us to talk about anything that wasn’t Ryder related. And they had music going so there weren’t long intense silences.
“I almost forgot to tell you!” she said, nearly choking on a piece of steak.
“What?” I asked.
“Chloe totally got it on with one of those rich guys’ wives in one of the closets at the event. I can’t believe I forgot to tell you that!”
Me neither. Chloe was on the rebound from her last girlfriend, Harmony, who, despite her name, only seemed to cause destruction. The bitch had ripped Chloe’s fucking heart out and stomped on it for good measure. If I ever saw her again, I wouldn’t be responsible for my actions.
“So I guess she’s getting over Harmony by getting under someone else?” I said.
Rory shook her head and sighed. “I wish I knew someone good I could set her up with. What about you?” She directed the question at Lucah. “Know any eligible lesbians who will put up with a lot of baggage?”
“Not offhand, but I’ll keep my eyes open,” he said.
“I bet you will,” Rory said.
“I only have eyes for you, sunshine,” he said. He seemed to be getting back to his old self. Or at least his non-angry-with-his-brother-and-me self. He wasn’t a bad guy when it came down to it. He treated Rory the way she deserved to be treated and he’d been really good for her. Bottom line: He made her happy and I couldn’t ask for more than that.
“Damn right, Mr. Blythe,” she said. It was still weird to hear that name, as opposed to the name he’d used when he introduced himself the first time—Lucas Blaine—which turned out to be an alias. Apparently his job as Rory’s new administrative assistant was a front for him to be a corporate spy and root out the people in the company who turned out to be embezzling money. It sounded a lot cooler than it actually was.
They shared one of those looks that couples who are completely comfortable have. I tried not to feel that little pang of jealousy, but you can’t stop feeling the way you feel.
“Tell me more about this hookup with Chlo,” I said, and they both looked at me as if they’d forgotten I was there.
“Well, I guess the woman is the wife of some bigwig politician. I’m just hoping no one saw or else I’m going to have to start calling her Monica Lewinsky from now on.” I snorted at the joke. I was totally going to start calling her that anyway.
The dinner was a sad affair without Ryder. I was a third wheel on a date and it sucked. At least when he was here the two of us could tease Lucah and Rory.
“You okay?” Rory asked, sensing my sad state.
“Yeah, just tired. I feel like I want to sleep for a week.”
“Tell me about it. I’m getting too old for this shit,” she said. I rolled my eyes. She was younger than me by a few months, but neither of us was anywhere near ancient.
“You’re only as old as you want to be,” Lucah said, and I had to agree with him.
“You just keep telling yourself that, grandpa,” Rory said, patting his shoulder. He scowled at her, but she leaned over and gave him a kiss. I could tell where this was headed, so I rushed to get the plates into the dishwasher.
“Well, I’m going to go back to my cave and be alone,” I said, but neither of them was paying me much attention. Normally I didn’t mind being alone, but it was really starting to bug me lately.
My apartment was the same when I opened the door, but it was too quiet. Too empty. I headed to the second bedroom that I’d converted into a studio. I decided I should start designing Rory’s dress and lingerie combination.
I put on KONGOS and turned to a fresh page in my sketchpad. Some people might be terrified by a blank page, but I loved it. This paper might be empty now, but I could fill it with whatever I wanted. A blank page was total and complete freedom.