“Not yet, I mean we will, but that depends on where we decide to stay.”
I was wishing he hadn’t said it that way because she became noticeably quiet.
“We are just friends, though. Nothing more,” I added from the backseat. “He’s been really great to help me get settled somewhere before he moves on with his life.” I got another nasty glance in the rearview mirror from him. “Hey, Candace,” I continued, “Do you know of any places around here for rent?”
She twisted in the seat to look at me, “Are you looking for a house or an apartment?”
“I prefer a house, but anything at this point would be good.”
“There are some houses near the historic district that they recently renovated. I’d love to live over there; all the shops and restaurants are within walking distance.”
“That sounds perfect. Do you have some paper so you could write us some directions?”
“Yeah sure.” She pulled out a small note pad from her purse and drew a map to show how to get there from the Citadel. “I could show you guys around there after I get off work at three today, if you’d like?”
“You’re going to need a ride home anyway, right?” Ryan finally spoke up.
“That would sure save me from having to bum a ride from someone at the mall.”
“Great. Then we’ll pick you up at three,” I said, leaving no room for an argument as we pulled into the large parking lot and drove around to Penney’s.
Candace thanked us for the ride. I climbed out of the back seat and into the front.
“What are you doing?” Ryan snapped.
“What?”
“Don’t ‘What?’ me-you-you’re trying to put me and Candace together, aren’t you?”
“She’s adorable and I saw your face when you heard who was at the door. I’m betting you had a thing for her at some point.”
“Yeah, Leese, I did-when I was twelve! You haven’t given yourself enough time yet for me to know if we have a chance.”
“Hey, you promised I was not going to be what holds you back from finding the right girl.”
“But, that doesn’t mean you get to play match-maker. Okay?”
“Okay, but-”
“No buts!”
“I was just going to ask if you find her attractive,” I said, putting out the bait.
“I don’t like discussing that with you.”
“Do you find me attractive?” I’ll start with small bait.
“You know I do. If you asked me right now to-”
“Then what’s wrong with telling me if you find her attractive?”
“You can be relentless, you know that? Yes, Leese-I had a huge crush on her in middle school. When we moved, I…”
“What?”
“Never mind,” he snapped.
“You know I’m going to bother you until- Ryan, pull over!” I said as I motioned to a gas station coming up.
“Why?”
“I’ve-I’ve got to get to a bathroom-now!”
He whipped the car swiftly off the roadway and into the station, as I grabbed my purse and ran around to the ladies room.
I had been expecting this, but I was trying to mentally will that it wouldn’t happen, now that it had, I was caught off guard.
I came back to the car ten minutes later; I didn’t have myself together. I didn’t realize how hard it was going to hit me and I couldn’t stop crying.
Ryan’s face was pale as he watched me clutching my abdomen. “Leese,” he said softly, “are you okay?”
I handed him Candace’s paper and just asked that he drive there, I wasn’t ready to talk. He made it to the historic district and located where the developer had a section of homes remodeled. We found the office as I dried my tears and tried to open the door to the car.
“Tell me what’s wrong, please,” Ryan pleaded, gripping my arm and preventing me from leaving.
“I’ll tell you, but I can’t do it now or I’ll never make it through talking with these people and, as much as I like Naomi, Andy, and Ty, I don’t want to stay at their house any longer than necessary.”
“All right, but you promise to tell me before the day is over, okay?”
“I will,” I stated as I took a ragged breath and opened the car door.
There were about fifteen houses left to choose from and it only took a glance for me to decide which one I wanted to see. It was a two bedroom, two and a half bath stone house with a 1,700 square foot open floor plan. It came with all new appliances, including a washer and dryer and was available for immediate occupancy. The sales woman drove with us the block and a half to unlock it so we could go inside and look around. It was clean and crisp with new hardwood floors and fresh dry wall. The kitchen was a rich cranberry with deep mossy green granite counter tops. The bedrooms were each designed to be suites with their own bathroom. The bathrooms were a little smaller than I liked, but they were new and private. The half bath was situated just off the living room so company didn’t have to traipse through the house to get to it.
“It’s only two blocks to one of the area’s best little sidewalk bistros and there is a farmer’s market just a little further down from there every Saturday morning,” the woman explained.
“It’s perfect. We’ll take it.” But then I rethought my statement, “Wait-I’m so sorry,” I said, touching Ryan’s arm and getting his attention as he was looking around the room smiling, “I didn’t even ask if you like it.”
“Leese, do you see the smile on my face? Yes, of course I like it. We’ll take it,” he said, slipping his arm around my shoulder and facing the sales woman.
“I-I haven’t given you the price yet,” she stated. It must have surprised her that I never asked that question. “It’s fifteen-hundred per month; that includes everything except gas and electric. We require a minimum of a six-month lease and I’ll need a first, last and a security of a thousand dollars.”
“Okay,” I said quickly doing the math in my head. “That’s four thousand, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Can we start moving in today?” I continued.
“Well, yes, but-”
“Leese, can I talk with you, privately for a minute?” Ryan asked, looking at the sales woman who quickly took the hint.
“I’ll wait outside so you two can discuss it; it is a big decision.”
As soon as the door closed behind her, he gripped my shoulders and pointed out the obvious, “What if you put all this money into this and-and Micah finds us? Shouldn’t we give it a few days, before we slam several more thousand out of your purse? I mean at the rate you’re burning through that cash, you might be broke pretty soon.”
“First of all, I agree, I’d prefer to give it several more days, or even a week or two before we know for sure if we can stay here, but I can’t spend another couple nights like last night. Secondly, I have access to my account, I’d just have to have you fly me to another state to make a withdrawal, and you know as well as I do that I can’t burn through that much money. So let’s do this. I hate to say it, but I’m ready to ‘play house’ with you and-”
“Whoa, baby girl, does that mean what it sounds like?” he asked with a smile tugging at the edge of his lips.
His grip on my shoulders was changing and I could tell he was getting ready to pull me against him. I put my hand on his chest to stop him. “I didn’t ask you to make love to me. I’m just saying I want this whole ‘Ryan and Leese’s place’ kind of thing.”
“How about we celebrate finding this place with a kiss?” his voice dropping into a husky range.
I could tell the idea of ‘our place’ was a definite turn on for him and he was getting ready to step over a line as the distance between us began to erase. I turned my face without a moment to spare, but he eagerly went for my cheek and then his mouth was moving toward my ear and neck. His hot breath became as soothing as a caress on my skin. He was kissing my neck as he tucked me against his chest. I was caving in without thought, my arms starting to slide around to his back, when reality slapped me hard.