Page 13 of Surprised By Her

Ryan closed the door, and I sat down on the bed. Ryan filled up the room, and I couldn’t help but stare.

I set my water on the nightstand, making sure to set it on a coaster so it didn’t leave a ring.

Ryan looked around and finally ended up sitting next to me at the end of the bed. It dipped so much that I had to stop myself from sliding right into her. She leaned forward with her elbows on her knees and looked straight ahead.

After a few seconds of silence, I said, “So…”

“So,” Ryan said. “Everly.”

“That’s me,” I said, and then wanted to cringe.

Ryan turned her head to look at me.

“I didn’t expect to see you again,” she said.

“Me neither,” I said. “I thought you were probably just passing through. You didn’t seem like someone who would be in Arrowbridge for a long time.”

She tilted her head to the side slightly. “What does that mean?”

“You’re obviously from away,” I said, using my hand to indicate her outfit and attitude in general.

“From away? Is that what you call it?” she asked.

“Well, I’m technically from away, but I’m able to fake it,” I said.

“But I can’t,” she said, more a statement than a question.

“Sorry?” I said.

“I feel like I should be insulted,” she said.

“It’s not your fault,” I said. “Mainers are just weird that way.”

“Where are you from?” she asked, and I had the sensation that every single ounce of her focus was completely on me. It was like being examined and I hoped that I passed.

“I’m just a Masshole transplant,” I said. “I haven’t even lived here for a year.”

“You don’t have much of an accent,” she said.

“It comes out in certain situations,” I said. “Maybe I’ll bust it out for you later.”

Was I flirting? Was this flirting?

Ryan studied me for a moment in that way she had.

“Where are you from?” I asked.

“Connecticut,” she said.

I nodded. “That makes sense.”

She let out a little snort that was almost a laugh. “Why is that?”

“Oh, you just give off that Connecticut vibe. Yale, yachts, all that.”

“I didn’t go to Yale,” she said.

“But you’ve played polo at least once, haven’t you?” I asked.