Page 71 of Head Over Heels

Sophie grimaced. “God, how horrible. How’d you find out it was fake?”

“I took her to the doctor and sat in the room with her.”

Sophie smiled. “You were still giving her attention, though.”

“I was.” He sighed, looking at her. “It’s the kind of nightmare guys always fear, and it was a nightmare for a good three months. Once I threatened her with a restraining order she seemed to snap out of it. But you know the lesson I learned?”

“What?”

“It was my fault. It happened because I was out for consequence-free sex and was entitled enough to think I was above paying the price. It wasn’t her, it was me. I wasn’t some victim, my actions were to blame.” He held up two fingers. “It took two weeks for her crazy to show itself. Two tiny little weeks. If I’d done things the proper way, the way my parents had taught me, asked her on a date, gotten to know her, I would have seen what I needed to. But I wanted to have my cake and eat it too.”

“I’m sorry, Ryder.” Her voice was soft and low. “That really sucks.”

“It did.” It was a harsh lesson, but one he’d never forget. Actions had consequences. End of story. He sighed. “After it was over, I decided it was time for a change. I changed jobs, towns, and told myself I’d date a woman before I took her to bed.”

“A solid plan.”

He met her eyes. “Then you showed up and I took one look at you and wanted to toss you over my bike and do filthy things to you.”

She sucked in a little breath. “Yeah.”

“It reminded me that my actions have consequences and that I should probably stay the hell away from someone who makes me want to forget all that.”

That shadow passed over her face again and she nodded. “Yes.”

“There’s only one problem.”

“What’s that?”

“I like you, Sophie. I like you a lot. You’re fun to be around, you make me laugh and think. I know you’re going back to Chicago, but it’s been a long time since a woman has engaged me the way you do. I find myself making excuses to spend time with you.”

She sighed, long and deep. “I like you too, Ryder.”

“But?” Because he knew there was a “but,” he could hear it in her tone.

She shrugged. “I don’t see how it ends well.”

A muscle jumped in his jaw. “I think you’re running scared and won’t tell me why.”

“I don’t know, maybe.”

Definitely. But she wasn’t ready to talk. Well, it was time to put his money where his mouth was, so he took a deep breath and dived in. “There’s no way for us to avoid each other. We’ll see each other at work and at home. You’ll see me at Maddie’s house, and at Earl’s Diner, and probably a couple of places in between.”

“I’m figuring that out.”

He tightened his fingers. “So, I’ll leave it up to you. I told you where I stand. I will respect and abide by your wishes and parameters. Whatever they may be.”

Truth was, the promise was hard to make. Not because he wouldn’t always respect what she wanted but because he knew how easy it would be to push her until she caved.

Appearing deep in thought, she looked out at the street. The sun was low now, settling into that purple-pink horizon before it set.

He waited, not enjoying the brilliant sky because he thought he already knew her choice.

Finally, she looked back at him. “I don’t think we should spend time together.”

“Are you sure?” One last time he needed to ask.

“I’m sure. It’s for the best.”

The confirmation went down like glass, but he nodded. Going against all his baser instincts, he rose. “Okay then, I’ll leave you alone.”

He paused, waiting to see if she spoke, but when she didn’t, he walked down the steps and didn’t look back.

He’d tried. That was all he could do.