When he lowered his guitar on the final note, she was close to sleep. Big arms lifted her, and Faith rested against his chest.
“I knew you were good. I’ve watched you often enough and heard the accolades, but there’s so much more to what you are, Ryan.”
“How so?” He carried her inside to a chair and lowered her into it gently.
“You meet people in life that have a magnetism, something that draws people in and makes them want to connect. You have that.”
He braced his hand on the seat, a small smile playing around his lips. “That’s a very nice thing to say, thank you.”
“You had it when you were younger.”
“I was a bit of an asshole, to be fair.”
She laughed. “No more than any of them.”
His hand cupped her cheek, one thumb brushing her skin, sending sensations through her. “I really am sorry for the way I treated you, Faith. The way I left after what we did together all those years ago.”
“I know. It’s okay. You needed to go; I can see that now.”
“I did. I needed to breathe and just be Ryan, and not Millicent’s son and Hope’s brother, the man of the Lawrence household.”
She touched his cheek, so he leaned in and kissed her again. Soft, lingering, and filled with so much, it bloomed inside her.
“You eaten? I have soup.”
“Soup sounds good. What can did it come from?”
“I made it.”
“Get out.”
“What? You don’t know any men who can cook?”
“Plenty, I just didn’t have you pegged for being one of them.”
“I’m sure I should be insulted by that.”
He heated the soup, then brought her a tray with crusty buttered bread on a plate.
“Don’t tell me you baked the bread too?”
“No, this is from Mac.”
“How is your soon-to-be stepdaddy?”
“Don’t.” He raised a hand. “Hope and I are only just getting a handle on that.”
“How’s things with your family?”
He sat beside her with his soup. The sexy rock god cooked; that would take some getting used to.
“What you said was right the other day, Faith, but I’m not sure I will ever have a relationship with my father. My siblings, though, they’re cool. I spent some time with them yesterday. We all went to Buster’s, and Newman and Hope came. It was good, and it’s nice now I’ve calmed down enough to want to get to know them. I have four siblings. That’s gonna take some getting used to, but I think I will.”
“I’m pleased you’re forming a relationship with them, Ryan.” Faith drank some more soup. “This is good.”
“Again with the surprise.” He glared at her. “Why do you find it so hard to believe that I can look after myself? I wasn’t always making the money I am now. I had to care for myself. Plus, you know who raised me, right? My mom ensured Hope and I could do most things. That stuck with me, just not Hope.”
She asked him questions about his life before hitting the big time. Enjoyed the stories of the starving artist living in a small flat in London with too many people.