“I’ve never been better off without you,” he says quietly. “I’m going to need you to delete that thought from your storyline and never bring it back.”

I hum, rubbing my forehead gently against his. “Only if you admit you came here because you were jealous.”

Ryan pulls away from me to run a hand through his hair. He rubs it against the back of his neck sheepishly. “Not only did I come here looking for you, I went to two other places beforehand.”

“You what?” I tip my head back and cackle incredulously. “Ryan Whitlock, you are unhinged.”

“I have a lot of tapas in my back seat. I could use some help eating it?” His voice tips up hopefully.

I half laugh, half groan. “I’m starving, and that sounds amazing, but Charles is still waiting for me. He probably thinks he’s important enough to ruin the life of the poor little debut author-girl who left him hanging.”

“Tell him it’s an editorial emergency,” he suggests.

“There’s no such thing.”

“Don’t underestimate me, Scarlett.” Ryan’s eyes darken as he drags them over my face. “When I have editorial notes, the world stops for them.”

I cock an eyebrow, unimpressed. “I’ve dealt with enough toxic male egos for the night, thank you. I don’t need yours, too. I’ll just…tell him I don’t feel well. Hang on.”

As much as it pains me to leave Ryan’s side, I walk back into the restaurant to say my goodbyes. I don’t get more than two steps before I can see the bar where Charles is currently dragging his finger lightly over the arm of a giggling twentysomething. He leans in and whispers something into her ear that makes her practically turn into a puddle on the spot.

I walk right back outside. It seems we’re both going home with someone else, which feels appropriate.

“That was fast,” Ryan says as I grab his hand and interlace our fingers.

“He was occupied. Let’s go.” I tug him toward his car.

It doesn’t take long to get to my apartment, but the whole way there, Ryan clutches my hand like it’s a lifeline. We only let go to get out of the car, then we snap right back together again for the elevator ride up to my floor.

As he clings to me and I to him, I tell myself that I do deserve this. That, sometimes, people do get second chances. And even if there is more to say, now we have time to say it.

Chapter 24

Ryan