“I’ve got it. Thanks for helping out,” Ryan said.
“I’ll walk you out.” Jake steered me out with his hand on my elbow.
Maybe I imagined how sweet and considerate Ryan was during the class and the chemistry simmering just below the surface whenever we were alone.
Jake paused by my car and dropped his hand. “Thanks for helping out.”
“Of course. You know I’m happy to.”
“Everything okay with you? I feel like we haven’t spent much time together lately.”
My breath snagged in my lungs. I didn’t mention it was because I was spending most of my time with his partner. “I’ve been pretty busy.”
“How are things at the store? Picking up?”
Unlike Ryan and Jake, I hadn’t done anything about drumming up business. “Not really.”
“You need any help?”
“I don’t even know what to do. I can’t offer classes on how to mix spices or which teas help you sleep.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed on me. “No. Probably not.”
“But I’m sure I’ll figure it out,” I said so he wouldn’t worry. The last thing I needed was Jake hovering around when I wanted to enjoy the snippets of time I had with Ryan.
“Have you talked to the other shop owners? Maybe they’d have some suggestions?”
“That’s a good idea.” I’d talked to Brooke about it, but I hadn’t raised the issue of foot traffic at the Shops on Main meetings.
“Nana asked me to pull more boxes this weekend. Are you available?”
I’d almost forgotten about her project. A piece of me hoped she’d let it go. “I’ll be there.”
“Drive home safely.”
I shook my head as I got into the car. His garage was only a few minutes’ drive from my house, but he couldn’t shake the protective vibe.
On the way home, I ran the class through my head. The way Ryan was so patient and repeated instructions when I wasn’t getting something. It was different than when Jake explained things. Of course, he was my brother. He expected me to get it the first time.
Had I really imagined Ryan’s light touches and the wink? The way he’d stood close and blocked the rest of the room from us?
The entire time, I’d felt light and giddy. My heart longed for it to mean something, even though my brain knew it couldn’t go anywhere.
Jake would always be between us. There’s no way he’d be okay with something happening between us. So, I needed to get over it.
That night in bed, my phone buzzed on my nightstand. I sat up so I could read it.
Ryan: Thanks for helping out tonight.
He was just being nice. I debated responding at all.
Hailey: Of course. I’m happy to help.
Ryan: When do you want to do our next lesson?
Hailey: How to change a tire?
Ryan: Yeah, that one.