Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
I felt like I was talking about myself too much, but Hal seemed genuinely interested. “What do you do with the horses after you take them in?”
“With the older horses, I make them comfortable and let them live out their senior years happy and well cared for. I try to rehabilitate the others and find good homes for them.”
“That’s amazing. You’re amazing. I feel frivolous, compared to you.”
I shook my head. “Don’t say that. You’re an artist, with fashion as your medium. My Gran was an artist too, and I have so much respect for people who make beautiful things. We need more of that in the world.”
Hal murmured, “That’s got to be the most validating thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
After we ate and cleaned up, I shut off the lights and all but three of the battery-operated candles, and we climbed back into bed.
We ended up talking for hours, about anything and everything that came to mind. At one point, Hal studied me in the soft light, tracing my jaw with his fingertips as he murmured, “You’re so beautiful, Ryder.”
That made me grin. “I think that’s my line.”
“I mean it. You’re gorgeous. You’re also kind, and interesting, and a great listener. Whoever ends up with you is incredibly lucky.” I wasn’t the kind of person who needed a lot of compliments or reassurance, but it felt good to hear that.
Later on, as the sky outside the balcony doors began to lighten, Hal tucked his head under my chin and fell asleep in my arms. I was so glad we were going to get one more night together. But no matter how much time I had with him, I already knew it wouldn’t be enough.
4
Ryder
As much as I would have loved to linger under the covers with Hal the next morning, that wasn’t an option. Instead, I slipped out of bed and got ready for my day before taking a seat on the edge of the mattress.
I woke him by gently caressing his cheek. He half-raised his lids, and when focused on me, a drowsy smile curved the corner of his full lips. “Damn, you’re dressed already,” he muttered. “I was hoping to start the day getting naked and sweaty with you.”
“I would have loved that, but I wanted to make sure there was enough time to take you to your hotel before I have to be at the tournament.”
He sat up and pushed his dark hair back with both hands. “I can call a Lyft. You don’t have to go out of your way.”
“I really want to drive you.”
“You sure?” When I nodded, he swung his legs out of bed and said, “Okay, I’ll be ready to go in five minutes. Is there a spare toothbrush I can use?”
“There’s a pack of toothbrushes and some other toiletries in the bathroom cupboard. Help yourself to anything you need.”
He gathered his things on the way to the bathroom, and while he was gone, I made the bed and straightened up a little. Almost exactly five minutes later, he returned smelling like mint and looking perfectly pulled together.
I suggested swinging by the kitchen for some coffee on the way out, and he held my hand as we went downstairs. Most of my teammates had partied hard the night before, so only a few of them were up and trying to function. I spotted two guys out on the patio, slumped in their chairs as they clutched mugs of coffee and regretted their life choices.
Maybe it was petty of me, but I was secretly delighted when I saw who was in the kitchen. While I didn’t love continuing to play on the same rugby team as my ex and my former best friend, what happened next made it much more bearable.
When they saw Hal, their mouths literally fell open. Even though they’d both encouraged me to get back out there, they clearly hadn’t expected me to find someone this stunningly attractive.
“Oh, hey guys,” I said, trying to act casual as I grabbed a couple of paper cups and lids. “Hal, meet Greg and Craig. Boys, this is Hal.”
After the three of them shook hands and said hello, I poured two cups of coffee and offered Hal a granola bar for the road. When he declined, I told my friends, “I’ll be back in about forty-five minutes. If the rest of our team doesn’t materialize in the next fifteen minutes or so, please wake them up. They’re probably going to need some time to get it together before the tournament.”
Craig mumbled a distracted, “Sure.”
At the same time, Greg asked, “You’re leaving already? We didn’t even get a chance to talk to your new friend.”
I was still trying to play it cool, but I might have sounded a little smug when I told him, “Don’t worry. He’ll be back tonight.”