Breaking Ryann(7)

“I can’t stand him putting his tiny hands on you. He’s lucky he’s still breathing after the show he put on last night.”

“I didn’t mean for you to see that. I’m sorry.” I wouldn’t want him sucking face with his wife in my presence. It was bad enough hearing her go on about their sex life the way that she did.

“Do you love him?”

My brows rise to my hairline. He has a lot of nerve asking me that. “This conversation is officially over.” I start walking away, saying over my shoulder, “You of all people shouldn’t be asking me that.”

“It’s a simple yes or no answer,” he replies from behind me.

I scurry off to put some distance between us, my head down so no one will try to talk to me. I send Gia a text, needing my best friend. I just hope she’ll be able to forgive me when I finally tell her what I’ve been hiding.





“You’re sure you’re not on medication … something that could bring on delusions?” Gia stands in her pajamas, pouring herself another glass of wine. I’d just informed her about Luke having a wife, as well as the night he’d surprised me on the rooftop. I should have known she would react this way. I guess I thought she’d take my word for it.

I roll my eyes. “I’m not crazy. She’s real.”

“I don’t think you’re crazy.” She bites her lip. “But if this is true, it would mean Logan’s been lying all this time.”

“Not necessarily. What if he doesn’t know?” It wasn’t my intention to get Logan in trouble.

“Are you kidding? Logan would definitely know.”

“Maybe,” I murmur, quickly picking a piece of lint from my pants. “But what if he doesn’t?”

“I don’t think Luke would keep something like that from him. It’s too big of a deal.” She rests her chin in her hand. “Maybe it’s all a misunderstanding. That would make more sense.” Tilting her head, she continues, “Think about it. We would have seen her around by now.”

“I’ve seen her.” I play with the stem of my glass. “I’ve seen her a couple of times.”

Twisting a curl around her finger, her brows bunch together. “Outside of the hospital?”

“Yeah.” I move to the couch. Gia follows and plops down next me. “She was carrying boxes into their house,” I continue. “The next time their dog had gotten out. She came over to collect him and introduced herself.”

We sit in silence for a moment, before she asks the dreaded question. “What does she look like?”

I groan, remembering her confidence, the sway of her silky dark hair, and nicely toned body. “Like she belongs on the cover of Cosmo.”

“You’ve always been an exaggerator.” She playfully nudges me. “I bet she doesn’t compare to you.”

“Thanks, but it’s true.” I inhale a long, slow breath, before quickly releasing it, “Anyway, it shouldn’t matter. I’ve moved on.”

“Have you?” Her face is sympathetic. “You don’t seem very happy. You haven’t for a long time.”

Has it seemed that way to everyone? I close my eyes. “Aside from being confused, I don’t know what I am anymore.”

“Let’s go over some details again.” She folds her legs, getting comfy. “It’ll help me process.”

“Okay.”

“You’re at the hospital talking with one of the nurses.” She lifts her brows to confirm.

“Correct.”

“Then a woman comes in and asks for Luke Ryann’s room.”

I lick my lips, laying my head against the couch. “At first I thought I was hearing things, but then it made sense since I’d seen his sister there earlier. It never really crossed my mind she’d been there for Luke … until that moment.”

“Plus, you thought Luke was thousands of miles away at the time. Must have been pretty shocking.”

“To say the least.” I give a defeated laugh. “I wanted to see him—find out what had happened, and if he was okay. That’s when a nurse walked up and recognized the woman, saying she was his wife. She said she had been there twice.” I cringe at the memory.

“What happened next?”

“I watched as she led her to his room. The rest is all a blur.”

“And you never found out why he was there?” she asks softly.

“I didn’t get a chance … but he obviously pulled through.” I tip my head toward his house, finishing the rest of my wine.

She pours me another. “I need to talk to Logan,” she says, topping off her own glass.