CHAPTER Twenty-Eight
Ryan
“Where have you been recently? You’ve been missing in action,” I ask Sephie. She finally rang me back, and I asked if she wanted to come over for lunch.
She gives me an odd look before answering. “Just busy with work and stuff.”
“Okay, let me know if you need anything.”
“I’m not going to take your money, Ryan,” she says, puffing out a breath that makes her hair blow off her face.
“Trust me, I know. But we’re more than happy to help you with whatever you need.”
“I know. I know. I just like to do things for myself. I don’t like handouts,” she says, looking down at her jean-clad knees.
“It’s not a handout, Seph. What’s mine is yours and the same goes with Reid, so don’t even think like that. You’re not a burden. We love having you in our lives,” I tell her, hoping she understands it’s the truth.
She nods. “I know. You’ve never made me feel like I was a burden.”
“Good.”
“So what’s for lunch? I’m assuming Taiya didn’t cook.” We both laugh.
“No, she definitely didn’t. I ordered pizza. Hope that’s okay?”
“Sounds good to me. So have you spoken to Xander recently?” she asks, not looking me in the eye as she says his name.
I still. “I’ve seen him a few times, why?”
She clears her throat. “Oh, no reason.”
She’s hiding something. What the hell happened between Xander and her? “Is everything all right then?”
She rolls her eyes. “Everything’s fine. So when are you and Taiya going to have kids?” she asks, effectively changing the subject. She’s a smart one my sister. For most men, that question would render them speechless and they would lose their train of thought. Not me though.
“As soon as Taiya is ready. I’d have one right now if she wanted to,” I say, smiling at her cheekily.
Her eyes widen. “Okay, I wasn’t expecting that answer.”
“I know,” I reply. “Now what’s really going on?”
She opens her mouth to talk when the bell rings. Saved by the pizza.
“Hold that thought, Seph,” I say, grabbing my wallet and walking to the door. I pay the deliveryman, giving him a hefty sized tip, and close the door with a push of my hip. I walk into the lounge room and put the two pizzas on the coffee table.
“Do you want something to drink?” I ask her.
“I’ll grab it,” she says, walking into the kitchen. She comes out with two bottles of water, and hands one over to me.
“Thanks.” I watch her for a few seconds, trying to figure out what’s going on with her. She has an almost guilty vibe going on. I decide not to push her. I guess she will talk about whatever is going on when she’s good and ready.
“Do you want to watch Animal Planet?” she asks, smiling like she already knows the answer.
I put the TV on, and grab a slice of pizza.
*****
Taiya walks into the apartment straight from work. She’s wearing those tight stretchy black pants I love so much, and a tight black top. Her bag is across the shoulder; her hair up in what I call her ‘dancer’s bun’ even though her curls are currently trying to escape it.
“Did you stay home all day?” she asks, throwing her bag on the floor and coming forward to greet me.
“I did. Seph came over, and then Reid came over. We hung out.” She jumps into my lap and kisses me. “How was your day?”
“It was good. I’m teaching the little kids a new routine,” she says, running her fingers through my hair.
“How old are they?”
“Between seven and twelve.”
“You know you are going to have to quit that place to work on your studio.”
She sighs. “Yeah, I know.”
“And you can finally use that credit card I got you.” A credit card in Taiya’s name arrived in the mail a few weeks back. She wasn’t happy about it, but too bad.
She makes a noncommittal noise.
“And I have a surprise for you.”
She instantly perks up. “A surprise?”
“Yeah, well. I was wondering if you wanted to renew our wedding vows. I’ve got everything planned and I thought?” She cuts me off with a kiss.
“I’d love to renew our vows,” she says, brightening with happiness.
“Good,” I say softly, cupping her face with my hands. “Make me the happiest man in the world, for the second time.”
“Better be the last time,” she mock growls, and I bite gently on her lower lip.
“Damn straight it will be the last time. Except maybe when we’re old and you want to renew our vows again. We’ll still be that in love in our old age.”
“That confident, are you?”
“You’re a sure thing, baby.” She pinches me, making me laugh. “I’m going to make sure we stay strong. Don’t you worry.”
Her face goes soft.
“You aren’t going to swoon are you?” I tease, kissing her on her nose.
“I love you, Ryan,” she whispers.
“I love you too, beautiful.”
More than life itself.