Jarrod looked taken aback, his face pale. He looked sick, but at this point Ryan didn’t care. He’d had enough. This was a huge mistake and he wasn’t going to let it go this time. He never should have let it go. Never should have played down the obvious discord between Kelly and his family.

Their mother leaned forward, her expression tight. “Don’t be angry with him, Ryan. I invited him. If you insist on a relationship with this woman we’re going to have to sit down together at some point. Or do you plan never to see your family? Hasn’t she caused us enough pain?”

Ryan let out a curse that made his mother flinch. “Haven’t you hurt her enough? It ends tonight. I’m done with this. I’m done subjecting Kelly to your insensitivity and your blatant attempts to drive us apart.”

Then he turned in his friends’ direction. “Rafael, it was good to see you and Bryony again. I hope to see you before you leave the city.”

He nodded at Devon and Cam, who looked as if they’d rather be anyplace but where they were. That made three of them.

“Sorry, man,” Devon murmured.

Not sparing his mother or brother a second glance, Ryan left the table and went in search of Kelly, hoping she hadn’t made it past the door yet. He’d take her home, apologize profusely and then he’d promise that he wouldn’t subject her to another gathering of his friends and family.

He shouldn’t have this time but he’d hoped…He wasn’t sure what he’d hoped but he’d been a damn fool and he’d hurt Kelly in the process.

He stalked toward the coatroom, but found Kelly’s coat still hanging. Then he hurried toward the entrance, but found no sign of her there either. Dread tightened his gut.

“Did you see a pregnant woman leave? Short, blond, wearing a blue dress?” he demanded of the maître d’.

“Yes, sir. She walked out just a few seconds ago.”

Ryan swore. “Did you see which way she went?”

“No, I’m sorry, but you might ask outside to see if anyone got her a cab.”

Ryan hurried into the night, praying she’d gone home. But what if she hadn’t? What if she’d finally had enough and said to hell with him and everyone else?

After being told that Kelly was seen walking down the street, Ryan panicked and took off at a run. Fear lanced through him at the idea of her being out alone, upset, on her feet when she had no business walking such a distance.