“How come no one told me Jade was the new girl?” I ask, looking at each of them.
“I thought you knew,” Tag says with a shrug. He runs his hands over the stubble on his cheeks before saying, “Ryan hired her.”
“How’s your daughter? I have a present for her in my car.”
Tag’s face lights up. “She’s good. So smart. I’m pretty sure I have a genius on my hands.”
“Her mum must be smart then,” I tease, laughing when he pulls on my pony tail.
“Where’s your man today?” he asks me.
“At the gym with Xander and dad.”
“When’s the next fight?” he asks.
“No idea.” I look at Jade expectantly.
“Hey, I don’t know either. You should ask your dad,” she says.
I pull my phone out of my bra, and call Ryan.
“Hey, babe,” he answers.
“Are we still doing dinner?” I ask him, hoping he says yes.
“Yeah, I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Okay.”
“Bye.”
We both hang up.
“You’re going out to dinner with Ryan?” Jade asks, her eyebrows rising.
I frown. “Yeah, why not?”
“Isn’t it weird?” she asks, pursing her pink lips.
“Ryan’s my best friend.” What’s the big deal? I don’t really care if people don’t get our relationship. We’re friends, really good friends. Friendships like that are hard to come by.
“What does Reid say?” she asks, leaning against the bar.
“Reid knows Ryan and I are close.” He acts like we annoy him but I know he’s happy we get along so well.
She makes a noncommittal sound which just pisses me off. I’m about to tell her as much when a group of customers walk in.
An hour passes quickly, and soon Ryan walks in to pick me up. He’s dressed in dark worn jeans and a long sleeve black sweater. His light hair falls across his forehead, and his baby blue eyes are warm.
“You ready, babe?”
“Yeah, give me a minute.” I walk to the staff bathroom and change clothes, then re-apply some make up. I spray myself with my new Vera Wang perfume, and I’m good to go.
“Okay, let’s go.” I say as I walk out, my bag in hand. I say bye to Tag and Jade, and walk out side by side with Ryan.
He pulls out of the car park. “What do you feel like eating?”
“Creamy chicken and mash potatoes,” I answer instantly.
He chuckles deeply. “I know just the place.”
“So, what’s new with you?”
“Nothing, same old. Work hard, play hard.”
“We all know you play hard. I was at your place the other night,” I tease.
“Oh, like you’re all innocent. Oh, Reid! Reid!” he imitates, causing me to burst out laughing, my face turning a little red.
“Are you blushing? You’re the only girl I know that still blushes.”
“Yeah, right!”
“I’m serious. Most girls are forward these days, they don’t blush or get shy.”
“Maybe the women you hang around.”
“What does that mean?”
“Maybe you should try picking up chicks somewhere different. In a library, perhaps. I assure you the women who frequent there would probably be blushers.”
“Stereotype,” he says in a sing song voice.
I roll my eyes. “Maybe so, why don’t we put that to the test sometime?”
“You’re on. What did I do with my time before you moved here?” he asks playfully.
“Have more sex?”
He thinks it over. “You’re probably right. And try to keep an eye on Reid, but now you’re here for that.”
“Ha!”
“I think you’re the only person he will listen to.”
“I think you’re exaggerating,” I reply.
“Oh, please. He’s so pussy whipped,” he says, then commences to make whipping noises.
“Mature, Ryan,” I say, shaking my head and smiling.
“Seriously though, you’re good for him, babe. I’m happy you’re here,” he says in a gentle voice.
“I can’t handle your sweet, Ryan,” I say, looking out the window.
“Don’t get all hormonal on me,” he says, chuckling.
“Aaand you’re back.”
“We’re here, come on.” He says, getting out of the car. I hop out and walk around to meet him.
“You didn’t tell me you hired Jade,” I say after we order our food and drinks.
“I’m sure I did,” he says, looking around the restaurant.
“Scared of my reaction, Ryan Knox?”
His eyes snap to mine and narrow. “I had to hire her. She needed the money and she was my brother’s girl. Was I a little worried how you would react? Maybe,” he admits. “But it was also kinda fun, waiting to see what you'd do.”