Secret North: Book 4 of The Wishes Series Read Free

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    “It’s never too late to apologise,” I said finally. “As long as you mean it.”
    “I do mean it,” he assured me.
    I wasn’t sure if I cared either way, despite the flutter that rippled through my chest as he spoke. “Apology accepted, then.”
    Ryan turned to finish the forgotten cups of coffee. “So are you planning to stay in New York for a while?” he asked over the hum of the coffee machine.
    “As long as I can find work again,” I replied. “I’ve only been back in town two weeks.”
    He set two mugs down on the counter. “You got fired after two weeks?”
    I glowered. I hadn’t mentioned anything about being fired. It annoyed me that he’d jumped to that conclusion, even if it was right.
    “What makes you think I got fired?” I asked defensively.
    He just pointed at the box near the front door.
    “My boss was a creep,” I explained.
    That was an understatement. My boss was a freaking nightmare. I’d put up with his wandering hands and creepy grab-ass attempts for days longer than I should have because I’d desperately needed the job.
    “So you got fired because he was a creep?”
    I grinned wryly. “No, I got fired because I wasn’t very acquiescent. He hit on me once too often.”
    “So you hit on him?”
    “With my knee.”
    He winced. “Ouch, Bente.”
    I brought my mug to my mouth to mask my smile. “That’s what he said.”
    He didn’t have a chance to offer up a smartass reply. The intercom buzzed, halting the conversation.
    “Your ride is here,” announced Ryan, walking toward the panel near the front door. He pressed a button and told the driver I’d be down shortly.
    I took a long sip of my coffee, grabbed my bag and followed him to the door. He handed me my box.
    “Thanks for today,” I said. “You saved it from completely going to hell.”
    He held the door open for me. “Keep in touch, okay?”
    I smiled. “Not a chance.”
    He smiled back. “You just got through telling me that I saved your life. Does that mean nothing to you?”
    “I never said any such thing, Ryan,” I scoffed. “You must be getting hard of hearing.”
    “It’s possible,” he conceded, shrugging. “I turned thirty today.”
    I took a step back. “It’s your birthday?”
    His smile grew broader. “All day, apparently.”
    “Well, happy birthday.” I shifted the box to my other hip. “I hope you’re doing something nice to celebrate.”
    “I am, actually. I’m having dinner with a sweet little blonde I’m rather fond of.”
    “Great.” There wasn’t an ounce of sincerity in my tone. “I’m happy for you.”
    I brushed past him, escaping his space by getting into the foyer. The big jerk had the gall to call me back, and like an even bigger jerk, I turned around.
    “If you’re free tomorrow, perhaps you and I could have dinner,” he suggested. “You can choose the –”
    “You haven’t changed at all, Ryan,” I interrupted. “You screwed me over once before, but at least you were sly about it. If you think for one second –”
    He cut me off with a rushed explanation. “My date tonight is with Bridget. We’re having a family dinner at my parents’ house.”
    I suddenly felt two inches tall, and far too embarrassed to look at him as I mumbled my weak apology.
    “I was teasing,” he said gently.
    My eyes drifted up, locking his. “I don’t like being teased – not by you.”
    Ryan’s mouth formed a line. I knew he’d read between the lines perfectly. He pulled out his wallet and handed me a business card. “Please think about dinner,” he urged. “I won’t call you. No pressure.”
    The slow approach was very unlike the Ryan I used to know. He was notoriously gung-ho about everything, especially when he wanted something. I had no idea what to make of it.
    I took the card from him. “I’ll think about it.”
    He broke a sexy crooked smile – the very same one that had gotten me into trouble too many times before. “That’s all I ask.”

    3.