****
Ryan thought he’d never get away from Holly. He left her at the elevator and hurried out of the apartment building.
While Holly had discussed menu options with the waitress at the restaurant, he’d managed to send a quick text to Shawna and tell her he’d see her soon.
Now on his way, he didn’t know what he’d say. The summer sun beat down on him, and he wasn’t sure if that’s what caused a sweat to break out on his forehead, or the predicament he’d gotten himself into.
He couldn’t spend the night with Shawna with Holly in town. He couldn’t spend the night with Holly when he’d asked Shawna to postpone her trip home so they could have more time together. He had to choose, and the person he didn’t choose would be hurt. But which one?
He knew which one. The only real option meant telling Shawna the truth and hoping that she’d forgive him. Then he’d have to face Holly and the fallout from her disappointment that their relationship was over. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he couldn’t think of any way to spare her feelings.
Outside the building, he called Shawna.
“Ryan? What’s going on? Did I get our plans mixed up?”
“No, you didn’t. I’m sorry, love. I had a . . . situation I needed to take care of. Where are you right now?”
“I’m—” She stopped, and that’s when he saw her.
They looked at each other from a short distance. Today she wore jeans, a white V-necked T-shirt that molded over her ample breasts, a wide belt, heels, and chunky jewelry. She always looked so put together.
“I came to see you,” she said softly. She sounded unsure.
Ryan lowered the phone and started toward her, determined to allay her fears and soothe away any doubts she had about what she’d come to mean to him.
“Yoohoo, Ryan, there you are.”
He stopped moving and held his breath.
That was Holly’s voice behind him, and it resonated like a record scratch in the musical interlude of this perfect moment.
Chapter Ten
Shawna looked past him, curiosity etched in her features. Ryan couldn’t even turn around. He kept hoping he’d collapsed after hitting his head in the shower back at his brother’s apartment.
Wake up. Wake up!
Holly came to stand beside him and snaked her arm around his. “Who’s this?”
The curiosity in Shawna’s eyes turned to confusion and then segued into hurt. She blinked rapidly and took a deep breath in an obvious attempt to compose herself.
Holly tugged on his arm. “Pooky, you’re being rude.”
“I . . . ah . . . Holly, this is Shawna. Shawna, this is Holly.” Here was his opportunity to come clean, and he couldn’t. Not like this.
“Nice to meet you, Shawna. I’m Ryan’s girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend?” Shawna repeated.
“Yes. We’ve known each other all our lives, and we’re practically engaged. I came to surprise him because I’ve missed him the past couple of weeks.” She squeezed his arm, seemingly unaware of the damage she’d caused by her announcement.
Later, when he’d had time to think, he’d recognize what had happened. Holly had immediately seen the threat Shawna presented. She’d known and effectively claimed her rightful place in his life.
Right now, he couldn’t see it because of his shell-shocked state. Right now, he didn’t know if he was coming or going, and he could only think of finding a way to fix this. But how?
Holly continued. “Then I get here, and he tells me how much he’s missed me and been thinking about me. I couldn’t ask for a better guy.” She looked up at Ryan, her gaze filled with adoration.
Shawna studied Ryan. Color smeared his cheeks and he couldn’t even look her in the eye.
“Look at him. He’s blushing,” Holly said. “I’ve embarrassed him.”
That wasn’t embarrassment. That was guilt.