Chapter 83
“Ugh, if she wasn’t already with you, I swear I’d be shouting for her to give me a shot!” Avery
said.
Ryan felt completely flattered. “She’s not fully with me yet. I still need to keep working on it.”
“I was a great wingwoman, wasn’t I? If I hadn’t told my parents I liked you, they never would’ve brought me to that blind date. Then, you wouldn’t have gotten to hold her hand!”
Ryan was feeling generous. “Send me your wishlist. I’ll clear your cart.”
“Yay! Send my thanks to your girlfriend!”
Just then, another call came in.
It was Cameron.
Ryan’s good mood disappeared instantly. He frowned and declined the call.
But Cameron didn’t give up. The phone rang again.
With no choice, Ryan quickly wrapped up the call with Avery and picked up Cameron’s.
“Ryan, I’m in Stokelle now! Harold said you took Cassie away. Where did you take her?”
Cameron’s voice sounded slightly accusing.
Ryan’s tone cooled. “What are you doing here? Weren’t you about to get engaged to Annabelle? Aren’t your parents keeping you on a leash?”
Cameron gave a bitter laugh. “The engagement with Annabelle is just a temporary move to calm her down. I can’t just stand by and watch her lose both her life and the baby.”
“So you do care about Annabelle. Don’t tell me you have no feelings for her at all.”
Cameron said quietly, “Don’t tease me, Ryan. My heart’s only ever had Cassie. You’re my best friend–you should understand how I feel.”
“Cameron, maybe it’s time to let Cassandra go. Once Annabelle gives birth, you can settle down with her and the kid. Be a family.”
“Are you kidding? Cassie will be my only wife. An engagement is not a marriage. It’s just a delay tactic.”
He added, “Ryan, could you stop being so hostile toward Cassie? I love her. She’s the only one I want to marry and have kids with. She’s already your sister–in–law in everything but name. No matter how much you like Annabelle, I’m not marrying her.”
Ryan let out a dry laugh. “Who said I liked Annabelle?”
Chapter 83
10
“If you
don’t like her, why are you always calling her your sister–in–law? You’ve never once called Cassie that in all these years.”
Ryan scoffed. He held the phone in one hand and opened a cigarette pack with the other. Using his teeth, he pulled one out and held it between his lips. He lit it, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled a ring of smoke.
Cameron sighed. “Forget it. You and Cassie have never really gotten along. I can’t fix that with just a few words. But Ryan, I’m asking you–just this once. Please, for my sake, look after her while I’m not around. Can you do that?”
“For your sake?”
“Yes. For the sake of our years of friendship. Even if you don’t like her, just take care of her for me. Please?”
A server from the restaurant came over and reminded him, “Sir, smoking isn’t allowed inside. If you’d like to smoke, please step outside.”
Ryan nodded and slowly walked to the restaurant’s entrance.
In the nearby parking lot, Cassandra stood tall and graceful.
He narrowed his eyes, scanning every inch of her.
She was crouched down, playing with the dogs. Under her command, they sat, shook paws, and even rolled over obediently. Roxanne stood nearby, watching in amazement.
Cassandra smiled with pride, just like the day she won her college debate championship. It was that same lifted chin and bold confidence, both dazzling and radiant, which was …possible to look away from.
“I can take care of her,” he said.
But not for Cameron.
Ryan had already given her up to Cameron once. Cameron didn’t cherish her.
So, he wouldn’t back down this time.
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