Page 33 (1/2)

In the end I just remained still- absolutely still

When the Bronco faced east on Farnaearshift and I released the breath that had been bottled up inside me

We were quiet on the way to Ryder’s house Just the sounds of the radio, top forty surprisingly, and Ryder’s soft hulanced over at him several tiive anything away, except maybe he felt more relaxed than I did

Ryder parked parallel fro and then shut the car off He stayed still for a few ine wound down and I didn’t dare ry?" he finally asked, tilting his cocky grin to faceup ood, I proo in, I wanted to warn you thatbehind some nervous embarrassment I didn’t quite understand

"You kidnapped me to meet your family?" I bit out, suddenly furious "Ryder, what the hell is Kenna going to say? What is your dad going to say? This is so weird You should have asked me first"

I counted the four coffees before we left the café, but so part of me held out hope they were just extras And I had so blindsided by his desire to take h what breakfast with his family meant

"Probably I should have asked you first," he shrugged off whatever embarrassment was there before and replaced his expression with a deters, "but you wouldn’t have come And Kenna won’t care that you ca into everything I do I just want to be your friend"

I thought over everything he said and convinced ht Friends We were friends But then a thought flashed through my resolve and I blurted out, "Your dad and your uncle! I mean, I have this effect on… uh, parents Parents really love me It’s just this talent I’ve always had Actually with all adults So um, if your dad seems to really like me, then you should know it’s just ainst roan, but I shed "Yeah, you’re really oozing with it" He rolled his eyes but then shotsmile "There’s no need to be nervous, Ivy My dad likes everybody"

I grimaced "I swear, I’et the ridiculous words out, "aware of my… parental charm"

"Sure, I’m aware," Ryder chuckled and unclipped his seatbelt "of your parental charh bubbled up into be offended "Fine," I sighed and unbuckled to "But don’t say I didn’t warn you"

Chapter Twenty-Nine

We met on the driver’s side of the car and walked across the street together He ledand punched in the code for his door Holding it open, his hand landed on the sh nored it

At the top of the stairs, I waited for hiain and then inhaled deeply at the heavy scent of bacon frying and bread baking Deep, ruhter filled the air and paused at the sound of the door

I walked in and turned to the kitchen to meet Ryder’s dad and uncle There was at least twenty years between them, but the resemblance was obvious Ryder’s dad, the older of the tas very hip-professor with gelled hair, turned up into lasses He was classically handsoh too, with the saray eyes that could be so unnerving Ryder’s uncle Matt, seemed sandwiched between Ryder and his dad in the timeline of the Sutton Male Lifespan I pictured the evolutionary ti the prirown man Matt fit somewhere in the ated thuainst the counter, wooden spoon in long, slender fingers He had extre out in every way He earing glasses too, but they were thinner framed and did even less to conceal the flash of silver behind them His face was covered in several day stubble and his hite t-shirt and sweatpants revealed the same broad-shouldered, narroaist build Ryder carried

"Ryder, is this your friend?" his dad asked from the kitchen He se juice while he waited for Ryder to respond

"Yep," Ryder nudgedto the kitchen counter and setting the coffees down "Dad, Matty, this is Ivy Pierce Ivy, this is my uncle Matt, and hed at his son and then extended his hand beyond his breakfast glass

I took a few steps forward and accepted his hand shake He had a strong but friendly grip and his eyes still twinkled fro except openness seemed to look back at me No lust No desire No unwelcomed interest

Whew "Hi, Nate," my voice trembled beneath nerves and I prayed no one else noticed

"We’ve heard a lot about you, Ivy," Matt called from next to the stove and I turned to roaned dras of course," Matt was quick to reassure I took his hand, and he shook it but his eyes were fixed behindmoment before they flickered down to ed in his expression before he quickly added, "It’s always nice to meet one of Ryder’s friends"

I stopped, but just barely, fro my eyes

"It’s nice to meet you too," I said politely