Love Online(62)

The thought of having to leave him tomorrow while so many things were up in the air was painful.

The restaurant was super high end—the type of place where the waiter pours a little bit of wine and swirls it around before discarding it to clean any residual taste from the glass. I’d chosen braised medallions of pork on a bed of mushroom risotto. But as delicious as it was, I had no appetite.

As Ryder walked around talking to people, I stayed seated at the table, moving my uneaten food around my plate. Tossing back a second glass of wine, I definitely appreciated the alcohol—particularly when Ryder’s friend Benny made his way toward me.

With straggly hair and a long beard, his grungy style stood out from the pack. I hadn’t met Benny at the wake the night before; he must have come and gone before I’d gotten there. While Ryder had pointed him out to me at the funeral, he hadn’t had a chance to formally introduce us.

Benny reeked of marijuana as he approached the table. “Hi. I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“You’re Benny,” I said. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I noticed him silently repeating my words before he asked, “What’s your name?”

Surprised, I held out my hand. “Eden.”

Has Ryder never mentioned me?

He took it. “And how do you know my boy Ryder? I’ve seen you with him all day.”

Afraid of the answer, I asked, “Has he…not mentioned me?”

He squinted. “No. Can’t say he has. I’m sorry.”

A few seconds passed as I absorbed what that might mean.

“We’re dating—have been for a few months.”

Benny looked genuinely surprised. “No shit? Well, I’ll have to grill him about that. I guess he’s been holding out on me.”

Feigning a smile, I said, “Yeah. Guess so.”

“How did you guys meet?”

I gave the only answer that came to mind. “Online…”

“Really?” He stared over at Ryder and said, “Huh.”

“What?”

“Oh, nothing. It’s just that Ryder doesn’t usually have to resort to that.” He must have noticed the not-so-happy look on my face when he shook his head and added, “I didn’t mean it that way. He just always has his pick of the litter wherever he goes.”

That didn’t make me feel much better. “Right.”

“Sorry. I don’t mean to be rude. I’m just surprised he did the online dating thing. You’re obviously a catch. And I obviously don’t know when to fucking stop talking. Jesus, I shouldn’t have smoked just now.” He wiped his forehead.

“It’s okay.” I just know so much about you, and you know nothing about me, not even that I existed, that’s all.

He drank out of a random glass of water on the table. “You live around here?”

“No, I live in Utah.”

“Utah?”

“Yes.”

“Are you a Mormon?”

Inwardly rolling my eyes, I answered, “No, I’m not.”

“Oh, okay. I know there are a lot of Mormons there.”

“Right. So, of course I must be Mormon.”

“Alright, I feel fucking dumb now. I’ve totally botched this convo. Sorry. I suck at life sometimes. I’m not good with social shit.”

“It’s okay. I’m not exactly good at it, either. Not to mention, I don’t fit in here at all.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Look at these people. I don’t have money or influence. I’m just a girl from St. George.”

“Well, I don’t fit in, either, and I’ve been living here my entire life. So…”

That made me smile a little. “Ryder tells me you own a marijuana dispensary?”

“Yeah. I love what I do.”

I can smell that. “I can tell.”

“So, you flew in just for this?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He looked over where Ryder was standing. “I’m really worried about him—how he’s gonna handle everything that’s gonna get thrown at him now.”

“What do you think will happen at the company?”

He looked contemplative. “I don’t know. My dad used to help run the studio. He always wanted me to get into it, but it was never my thing. Anyway, I know how much work goes into it just from watching him, and I don’t think Ryder’s going to be able to handle it all.”

We sat in silence as our gazes fixed on Ryder for a while.

Then Benny turned to me and excused himself. “Well, I’m just about ready for another smoke. You seem really cool. It was nice meeting you.”

“Nice meeting you, too.”

As unintentionally insulting as Benny had been, he was much more laid back than anyone else here. He didn’t quite fit, and that sort of made us kindred spirits.

After he left, though, the reality of our conversation hit me. Ryder had never mentioned me to him—one of his best friends. Was he ashamed of me? I’d never thought that before, but what other explanation could there be? I felt myself losing faith.

After Ryder wrapped up his conversation, he headed toward me.

He took a seat before grabbing my hand and kissing it. “Hey. Sorry for leaving you for so long.”