She couldn’t believe he was here acting like nothing had happened between them.
After delivering the drinks, she headed back to the bar. Thankfully, Blair had gone. Ryan, however, was still sitting there.
“Where’s your partner?” she said, nodding to Buster’s now empty stool.
“He saw someone he needed to talk to.”
She started loading the dishwasher.
“What’s the deal with Blair?”
“Deal?”
“You dislike him intensely, and I just wondered, why? And seeing as your brother will ask you that exact question, I thought you could practice answering on me.”
He wore a gray long-sleeved T-shirt, sleeves pushed up so she could see his tattoos. He had stubble on his jaw, and his face was drop-dead gorgeous.Faith was surrounded by good-looking men, so why didn’t she react to them like she did to Ryan?
“If your fans saw you now, they’d feel let down. Your shirt is creased, no makeup, and while that stubble may be sexy to some, it’s kinda unkempt.”
“I could wear a grocery sack and they’d love me.” He wasn’t bragging, it was just the truth. “And stop avoiding the question. Where do you know that loser from?”
“I think he told you we studied together, and how do you know he’s a loser?”
“I can spot them. Now tell me why you dislike him.” His eyes were suddenly hard.
“Not sure it’s anything to do with you.”
“Possibly not, but I want to know anyway.”
“Past mistake. I’ve made a few of those in my time,” she said lightly.
He held her eyes. “We were not a past mistake. My leaving without telling you after what we’d shared was a mistake, and it was all on me, not you.”
She forced a laugh out of her dry throat. “I’d forgotten about that.”
“No, you hadn’t, and I left because I was too scared to face you, if you want to know the truth.”
“Whatever.” She waved a hand about as if his words hadn’t hit her hard in the chest.What did he mean?“Anyway, it worked out for the best. Imagine if you hadn’t left? No way would you have found fame and fortune. You’d be living here, uptight, resentful, and likely making fudge.”
He studied her with those cool, dark eyes. Faith knew he couldn’t read her thoughts, but she dropped her eyes just in case.
“Did that guy let you down like me?”
“What guy?” Her head shot up.
“Blair.”
“N-No.” She turned the stammer into a scoffing sound.
“That’s the guy.”
Dragging her eyes from Ryan’s, she watched Blair and two other men approach.
“He looks like Ryan Lawrence, guitarist for Talon.”
Ryan, Faith noted, was ignoring them, his eyes still on her.
“Hey, buddy.” Blair tapped his shoulder. “Fudge maker. Me and my friends want a photo with you.”