Dream Wedding(151)
He made the last statement with a note of defiance in his voice, as if he expected someone to tell him that he was acting impetuously. Ryan was more than ready to do it, but he was too stunned by everything that had happened. The evening wasn’t supposed to play out this way. Joel was supposed to have taken one look at Cassie and begged her to come back. They would have talked, she would have agreed, end of problem.
“I’m very happy for both of you,” Cassie said. She rose to her feet, walked around the coffee table, then bent over and kissed Joel’s cheek. “I mean that completely.”
“Are you sure?” Joel asked, his weasel eyes searching her face. “I wouldn’t have told you if I thought you still cared.”
Yeah, right, Ryan thought bitterly. He couldn’t wait to gloat. No doubt he figured Cassie would be destroyed by the information, kicking herself for letting him get away. Well, that wasn’t going to happen. Somehow he, Ryan, would figure out a way to make it right. Although his track record at fixing things was currently pretty crummy.
“I’m completely sure,” Cassie told him. “Joel, we had nine lovely years together. I’ll always remember them fondly. I hope you will, too. But at the end we both knew it was time to move on. I’m so pleased that you’ve found your heart’s desire.”
“Thanks, Cassie.” Weasel-boy squeezed her hand.
Cassie flashed him a smile. “I need to check on dinner. I’ll be right back.”
Ryan gave her a thirty-second lead, excused himself and raced after her into the kitchen.
“Cassie, I’m so sorry,” he said as he burst into the room. “If I’d known that little ingrate had gone and done this, I never would have invited him over. Are you doing okay? Do you want me to send him home? I could beat him up for you.”
Cassie glanced up from the tray of garlic bread she was about to place in the oven. She laughed. “What a generous offer. No one has offered to beat up another person for me before. You’re being very sweet and I appreciate your concern, but I meant what I told Joel. I’m fine.”
She left the garlic bread and crossed to stand by him. “I’m the one who ended the relationship. It was my idea.”
“You could be having second thoughts.”
“I could, but I’m not.”
Ryan wanted to believe her. He stared deeply into her dark eyes, but he couldn’t tell what she was thinking. Obviously the pain was too great for her to even conceive of it yet. “I’ll go beat him up.”
As he turned, Cassie grabbed his arm. “Don’t. Joel hasn’t done anything wrong. I really am happy about the new lady in his life. I swear.” She made an X on her chest. “Just let it be and enjoy the evening. I’m going to.”
“Sure,” he muttered and stalked out of the kitchen. Enjoy the evening. No problem.
* * *
IT WAS THE longest two hours of Ryan’s life. All through dinner, and afterward, while he sipped coffee and apparently had no plans to leave anytime soon, all Joel talked about was Alice. Alice was brilliant, Alice was witty, Alice was charming and insightful and well-read and probably three days away from curing several lethal diseases.
Ryan sipped his brandy and admitted the last thought hadn’t been completely accurate. But, dammit, Joel was getting on his nerves. He wanted Weasel-boy out of his house.
“We’re going to put off having children for a few years,” Joel was saying. “Alice and I want to spend time with each other first.”
“Very wise,” Cassie said. “Once the little ones start coming, everything changes.”
As she’d been all evening, Cassie was the picture of poise. A lovely and gracious hostess. Ryan ached for her and wished there was something to do to help her feel better. In his arrogance, he’d tried to fix her life. Instead he’d made it worse. She must feel as if she was trapped in hell.
Finally, a little after ten, Joel pushed back his chair and stood up. “I should head home.”
About time, Ryan thought. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out. But he didn’t say that. Instead he offered the other man a tight smile and led the way to the foyer.
They said their goodbyes quickly. When he was gone, Ryan closed the door behind him and leaned against the frame. “I’m sorry,” he said.
“You’ve already apologized. I told you then there was no need. There still isn’t.”
She walked back into the dining room and started clearing the table. Ryan trailed after her. “I don’t believe you. You have to be in pain. This is awful and it’s all my fault. I was an arrogant fool who thought he could fix everything. All I’ve done instead is make the situation worse. I’m sorry.”