Death and Relaxation (Ordinary Magic #1)(107)

I took the chair that put my back to the door and let me stare out over the bay and the ocean and blue sky beyond.

I ordered ice cream first because life is unpredictable. After that, I settled in for a sandwich. Since the shop wasn’t too busy, I ordered a coffee and let time drift as I stared out at the sand and sky and ocean and didn’t think about Ryder.

Much.

“Mind if I join you?”

I hadn’t expected anyone to find me here. My heart tumbled hard against my ribs, pumping out a flood of feelings too tangled to name.

“Ryder,” I said, my voice almost a whisper. “I don’t think I can do this here.”

“Do what?” he asked quietly. “Have dessert with me?”

I looked up at him. He wore a soft T-shirt and worn jeans, his work boots traded in for a pair of running shoes. His dark hair was mussed from the wind, hazel eyes almost gold in this light. He stood with his weight on one foot, as if uncertain that I would tell him to stay or to go.

He held a caramel sundae in one hand, his other hand tucked in his back pocket, leaving his elbow out at an awkward angle. He used to stand that way in high school when he had to read in front of the class.

“Did you follow me?”

“No. I just thought…” He glanced out the window, and something like sadness passed over his features. “I just thought you might be here. You told me you missed it. Missed this. I saw you leave town. So maybe. Maybe yes, I followed you. I almost didn’t, but then… Maybe I should go.”

Yes.

No.

“You’re here,” I said. “Sit down before your ice cream melts.”

He took the chair across from me, the blue sky and sand framing him as he stole their beauty.

I was still angry. But I’d known him all my life. It wasn’t like we hadn’t argued before. Gotten into fights. We both knew how to apologize, how to keep our friendship a friendship.

I wasn’t sure if that was what we had anymore, if we even had anything to keep.

“So Myra fired you,” I said over the top of my coffee as I held the cup to my lips. I didn’t drink, but I needed the illusion of a barrier between us.

He dug his spoon into the ice cream, mashing and mixing it beneath the caramel, gaze fixed on it, but not eating. “We knew this was a temporary thing.”

I wondered if he meant the job or us.

I took a sip of my coffee. It was cold. I set the cup down and we both stared carefully at the table between us.

“You said Old Rossi was right.” Ryder stuck his spoon in the melting mess of sundae and picked up the paper napkin, wiping his fingers on it. His gaze lifted to catch mine. “Right about what?”

“I don’t think that matters now.”

Gold. His eyes were pools of mossy gold ringed by deep green. I’d been looking into those eyes for so many years. Looking for the man I thought I could love.

“Please, Delaney.”

Myra said he had come home a different man than when he had left. But this man in front of me was the man I’d always known. My once-friend. My always-and-never love, Ryder Bailey.

“He wasn’t happy we hired you. Thought you would be trouble.”

“He said that?”

“Yes.”

“I wasn’t trouble.”

I raised my eyebrows. He winced and looked down.

“I wasn’t trouble at work,” he clarified. “I was good at the job. Would still work there if you need—if the department needs more hands.”

“I’ll keep it in mind. But for now I need some space, Ryder. It’s been a shitty week.”

“Not all of it.” His eyes on mine again. Soft. Warm with the kindness I knew, and aching with something I’d only glimpsed.

Desire.

He couldn’t still want me. Not after he broke up with me. Did he only want the things he couldn’t have?

Nope. I would not play that game. I was taking my heart and going home.

“It’s getting late,” I said.

He reached across the table, his calloused fingertips brushing the back of my hand. “Old Rossi isn’t what he seems to be.”

That stopped me cold. Did he know that Old Rossi was a vampire? A very old and powerful one. Or did he know the secrets of Ordinary? Was that why Old Rossi thought Ryder would be trouble?

“What do you mean?”

Ryder bit his bottom lip, looking angry at himself for having said that much.

“He’s…involved in some business. I don’t know the details. Nothing I can prove. But I’ve heard enough to know he isn’t what he seems to be, Delaney. He has the attention of some people who do not appreciate his way of doing things. Stay away from him. I don’t want you—anyone getting hurt.”

Okay. So both the vampire and the architect thought the other was dangerous. Which one was right?

“You’re doing business with Old Rossi?” I asked.

His jaw locked. “No.”

“I am a police officer. You can tell me what you think is going on, and I might be able to help.”

“No. It’s… No.” He swore under his breath and looked over his shoulder out the window, away from me.

“What are you afraid of, Ryder Bailey?”

He dragged his palm over his face, then back over his hair. When he met my gaze, he seemed in control, gave me an easy smile that did not reach his eyes.