More Than This (4 page)
Authors: Shannyn Schroeder
“Fine. There’s this huge charity fund-raiser thing next month I want to go to.”
“So?”
“I need an invite.”
“I don’t even know what you’re talking about, so I’m sure I don’t have an invitation.”
“I bet Griffin does.”
“No.” It was one thing for his family to bug him for favors. He had no intention of
using his friend.
using his friend.
“Ryan, this is a huge society event. Anyone who’s anyone will be there. Only select
reporters have been invited so they can control the kind of coverage they get. This
could be my big break. If I can write an exclusive insider’s view, I might be able
to get a byline in the
Trib
or
Times.
I’m tired of slugging through with this paper.”
reporters have been invited so they can control the kind of coverage they get. This
could be my big break. If I can write an exclusive insider’s view, I might be able
to get a byline in the
Trib
or
Times.
I’m tired of slugging through with this paper.”
“I can’t help you.” He felt bad. Moira worked hard, but there wasn’t much room for
advancement at her current job.
advancement at her current job.
“Please. Just ask Griffin. He probably has an invitation he’s not even using. You
know how he hates those things.”
know how he hates those things.”
Ryan sighed. “You’re sure this isn’t some pay-five-thousand-for-your-dinner kind of
fund-raiser?”
fund-raiser?”
“I’m sure.”
Who was he kidding? Even if it were, Ryan would come up with the money to give to
Griffin to cover his sister’s entrance. “I’ll ask him, but I’m not promising anything.”
Griffin to cover his sister’s entrance. “I’ll ask him, but I’m not promising anything.”
“Thanks. You’re the best.”
By the time he hung up with Moira, his body had returned to normal. He sat at his
desk and thought about Quinn. He didn’t look for relationships. His last attempt taught
him that until his family could function without constant mediation by him, a relationship
couldn’t work. It couldn’t stand the strain and demands of the O’Learys. They had
to come first; they only had each other.
desk and thought about Quinn. He didn’t look for relationships. His last attempt taught
him that until his family could function without constant mediation by him, a relationship
couldn’t work. It couldn’t stand the strain and demands of the O’Learys. They had
to come first; they only had each other.
Quinn pulled something from him he didn’t even know existed—a desire for something
more.
more.
Shuffling papers on the desk, he realized he had nothing he needed to do tonight.
He should go back to his other bar, Twilight, and check on things there. He couldn’t
make himself do it, though. It would be like admitting he couldn’t face Quinn. Not
that he was rushing back to the bar to kiss her again either.
He should go back to his other bar, Twilight, and check on things there. He couldn’t
make himself do it, though. It would be like admitting he couldn’t face Quinn. Not
that he was rushing back to the bar to kiss her again either.
A knock sounded on the door.
His manager, Mary, didn’t enter but stuck her head around the corner, and said, “Sorry
to interrupt, but there’s a guy here who says he needs to talk to you.”
to interrupt, but there’s a guy here who says he needs to talk to you.”
“Who is it and what does he want?”
“He wouldn’t say, but—”
“Then he can wait. I’ll be out in a little bit.”
“Will do.” She exited, closing the door behind her.
He leaned back in the leather chair and began to consider Quinn.
Another knock. He didn’t need someone bugging him right now. He crossed the room to
the door. He swung it open, expecting to see Mary again.
the door. He swung it open, expecting to see Mary again.
The face staring back at him, though, was nearly identical to his own. Colin.
Ryan stood, dumbfounded, staring into the dark blue eyes of his older brother. They
hadn’t seen each other in years.
Not since Dad’s funeral. What the hell is he doing here now?
hadn’t seen each other in years.
Not since Dad’s funeral. What the hell is he doing here now?
Colin opened his arms wide. “Is that how you welcome family? Come here.” He pulled
Ryan into a bear hug.
Ryan into a bear hug.
Ryan eased back and studied Colin. He’d filled out some, but he looked well. “Have
you been to see Mom yet?”
you been to see Mom yet?”
Colin shoved his hands into the pockets of his faded jeans. “No, I hoped you could
help with that. I don’t think I can face the wrath of Eileen O’Leary without reinforcements.”
help with that. I don’t think I can face the wrath of Eileen O’Leary without reinforcements.”
“Ah, shit. That’s a hell of a thing to lay on me. She’ll be ticked at me now, too,
since you came here first.” Ryan blew out a breath. Their mother would be hurt he
came to Ryan first, but she’d gush all over Colin for days. Part of her blamed Ryan
for Colin running out. Somehow she could never see Colin for who he was. “Come on.
Let’s get this over with.”
since you came here first.” Ryan blew out a breath. Their mother would be hurt he
came to Ryan first, but she’d gush all over Colin for days. Part of her blamed Ryan
for Colin running out. Somehow she could never see Colin for who he was. “Come on.
Let’s get this over with.”
Colin threw an arm over Ryan’s shoulder. “Thanks. I knew I could count on you. Tell
me what’s been going on. Any family gossip I need to catch up on before I walk into
the house?”
me what’s been going on. Any family gossip I need to catch up on before I walk into
the house?”
As they headed out to Ryan’s car, Ryan’s brain scanned everything that had happened
to their family since Colin disappeared. He knew Colin called their mother, but he
had no idea what she’d told Colin and what she hadn’t. He decided to keep it light
and let the rest of the family tell him whatever they wanted.
to their family since Colin disappeared. He knew Colin called their mother, but he
had no idea what she’d told Colin and what she hadn’t. He decided to keep it light
and let the rest of the family tell him whatever they wanted.
CHAPTER 3
R
yan pulled up in front of his mom’s house and glanced at the clock. If he was lucky,
the house would be empty. He could install the garbage disposal he’d promised and
get back to work. The job itself shouldn’t take too long. His goal was to get back
to O’Leary’s early enough to see Quinn. It was Friday and she’d be coming in with
the other teachers, like clockwork.
yan pulled up in front of his mom’s house and glanced at the clock. If he was lucky,
the house would be empty. He could install the garbage disposal he’d promised and
get back to work. The job itself shouldn’t take too long. His goal was to get back
to O’Leary’s early enough to see Quinn. It was Friday and she’d be coming in with
the other teachers, like clockwork.
He looked down the block. Of course luck wasn’t on his side; Moira’s car was there,
which meant both Mom and Moira were inside.
which meant both Mom and Moira were inside.
He grabbed the box containing the disposal and his bag of tools, and raced up the
front steps. Moira had the door open before he could use his key.
front steps. Moira had the door open before he could use his key.
“I’m glad you’re here. Mom has been talking about this damn disposal for days.”
“I know. Who do you think gets the call before you?” He walked through his childhood
home, noting the smell of dinner in the air. In the kitchen, he bent to kiss his mom
on the cheek. “Hi, Mom. I told you I’d be here today. I’m just running a little late.”
home, noting the smell of dinner in the air. In the kitchen, he bent to kiss his mom
on the cheek. “Hi, Mom. I told you I’d be here today. I’m just running a little late.”
“Oh, I wasn’t worried. I told you I’d call a serviceman.”
“And I told you I’d take care of it.” He eased over to the sink and set down his tools.
Opening the cabinet, he saw that nothing had been removed. Probably for years. He
unloaded two containers of dish soap, boxes of plastic bags, trash bags, four pairs
of bright yellow rubber gloves, and some crap he couldn’t even identify. Then he scrubbed
sticky scum from the bottom so he wouldn’t lay in it. Ten precious minutes later,
the cabinet was empty and he could get to work.
Opening the cabinet, he saw that nothing had been removed. Probably for years. He
unloaded two containers of dish soap, boxes of plastic bags, trash bags, four pairs
of bright yellow rubber gloves, and some crap he couldn’t even identify. Then he scrubbed
sticky scum from the bottom so he wouldn’t lay in it. Ten precious minutes later,
the cabinet was empty and he could get to work.
The room quieted as soon as he pulled out his tools. Maybe it was his lucky day. The
old disposal came out without a problem. As he unboxed the new one, Moira came into
the room.
old disposal came out without a problem. As he unboxed the new one, Moira came into
the room.
“Guess who I saw yesterday?”
Great. Not only was she not keeping Mom busy, she expected him to gossip.
When he didn’t respond, she continued, “Colleen Miller. You remember her, right? Her
brother is best friends with Rory Reardan.”
brother is best friends with Rory Reardan.”
Ryan grunted and hoped she’d get to the point.
“Rory is cousins with Norah, who just happens to be friends with Margaret, Cassie’s
sister.”
sister.”
While Moira rambled, he’d managed to get the new disposal in place. At the mention
of Cassie’s name, he paused. Moira stopped.
of Cassie’s name, he paused. Moira stopped.
“Well, aren’t you going to ask?”
“What?”
“What’s going on with Cassie?”
“Why bother? I figure you’re in here bugging me because whatever it is, you’re dying
to tell it. I’m going to have to listen whether I want to or not.” He tightened the
nuts in place and siliconed against leaks.
to tell it. I’m going to have to listen whether I want to or not.” He tightened the
nuts in place and siliconed against leaks.
“She’s getting married.”
“Huh?” His voice echoed beneath the sink.
“Cassie is getting married.”
The words sank in and he waited to feel a reaction. Nothing.
“Well?”
He didn’t have to crawl out to know she was bouncing on her toes, looking for something.
“You have to say something. I have to send something back through the grapevine.”
He pulled out of the cabinet and said, “Congratulations?”
“I know you’re not still hung up on her. But what if she thinks you are? I have to
be able to tell Colleen something that will get back to Cassie. As it is, it looks
like you’ve been pining away for her. I couldn’t mention a girlfriend because you
don’t tell us anything.”
be able to tell Colleen something that will get back to Cassie. As it is, it looks
like you’ve been pining away for her. I couldn’t mention a girlfriend because you
don’t tell us anything.”
I don’t tell you anything because you’re like a damn tabloid.
Thoughts of Quinn entered his head, which was why he was in a hurry to finish his
job. The last thing he needed was Moira catching wind of his interest in Quinn. “I
have no girlfriend. Tell Cassie I wish her well.”
Thoughts of Quinn entered his head, which was why he was in a hurry to finish his
job. The last thing he needed was Moira catching wind of his interest in Quinn. “I
have no girlfriend. Tell Cassie I wish her well.”
“She never was right for you.”
Not wanting to hear her tirade, he turned on the faucet and flipped the switch of
the disposal. The noise effectively drowned out Moira. When he was sure it was operating
right, he flipped the switch again. Machine and woman stopped at the same time. How
he’d wished for a switch like that growing up.
the disposal. The noise effectively drowned out Moira. When he was sure it was operating
right, he flipped the switch again. Machine and woman stopped at the same time. How
he’d wished for a switch like that growing up.
Before Moira could rev herself up for round two, their mother walked in.
“Stew’s almost done. Go wash up, Ryan.”
He packed his tools back in his bag. “Sorry, I can’t stay, Mom. I have to get to the
bar. Mary needs to get off early.”
bar. Mary needs to get off early.”
“Always off to work. You’re worse than your father. Colin could help.”
“Colin probably needs time to settle in.” Ryan tried not to let his disgust show to
his mother. Colin had never made his life easier. He kissed her on the cheek again.
“I’ll see you Sunday for dinner.”
his mother. Colin had never made his life easier. He kissed her on the cheek again.
“I’ll see you Sunday for dinner.”
Moira followed him through the house. “Hey, Ry, one more thing.”
He turned.
“Have you talked to Griffin about the benefit?”
“Yeah, he didn’t know offhand if he had a ticket. He doesn’t keep track of that shit.
He’ll call you if he has the invite.”
He’ll call you if he has the invite.”
A slow smile spread across her face. “Thanks, Ry. You’re the best. I don’t know why
Cassie thought she could do better than you.”
Cassie thought she could do better than you.”
He shrugged. “Maybe having all the O’Learys poking their noses into her business constantly
was a bit much.”
was a bit much.”
“We’re family. That’s what family does. You just need to find someone who wants a
big family. I have friends,” she added with wide eyes.
big family. I have friends,” she added with wide eyes.
“No, thanks. I’ll see you Sunday. Are you bringing a date?”
She snorted. “Are you kidding? After the grilling the last guy got, I don’t think
I’ll bring anyone home until I’ve already eloped.”
I’ll bring anyone home until I’ve already eloped.”
“Can’t do that. It’d break Mom’s heart. See you later.”
He rushed back to his car. He’d have barely enough time to shower and change before
going to the bar. He thought briefly about Cassie. He really was happy for her. She
didn’t mesh well with his family. Hopefully she found someone who could make her the
center of his universe.
going to the bar. He thought briefly about Cassie. He really was happy for her. She
didn’t mesh well with his family. Hopefully she found someone who could make her the
center of his universe.
By the time he walked into the bar, he figured he’d missed Quinn. He hadn’t counted
on her sticking around after the majority of the teachers left. If she kept hanging
out without the horde of teachers, she must like something about the place. He banked
on it being him. Especially after their kiss. He should probably say something about
the kiss, but what?
I want to do it again?
on her sticking around after the majority of the teachers left. If she kept hanging
out without the horde of teachers, she must like something about the place. He banked
on it being him. Especially after their kiss. He should probably say something about
the kiss, but what?
I want to do it again?
He strolled over to the bar where she was sitting on a stool. He stepped next to her,
her soft scent grabbing him, and whispered in her ear, “Can’t get enough of me, can
you?”
her soft scent grabbing him, and whispered in her ear, “Can’t get enough of me, can
you?”
She jumped a little and then smirked. “I have a date.”
“Really? That’s two dates in one week. Both of them here.” Was she trying to send
him a signal?
him a signal?
“Your bar is conveniently located. I don’t want any guy I meet on the Internet to
know where I live. I learned my lesson there.”
know where I live. I learned my lesson there.”
So she wasn’t actively pushing other men in his face. “Is this one as bad as the last?”
“Who says my last date was bad?”
Her face remained calm, almost to the point of being unreadable, but her eyes gave
her away. He leaned his elbows on the bar. “I watched the date. You couldn’t wait
to get rid of the loser.”
her away. He leaned his elbows on the bar. “I watched the date. You couldn’t wait
to get rid of the loser.”
She wrinkled her nose. “He wasn’t as bad as the one I didn’t bring here.”
“Internet dating is a bad idea. Everyone lies about who and what they are. You can’t
believe anything.”
believe anything.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not really good at meeting people. I can get to
know them a little online. I hoped it would make me less awkward in person.”
know them a little online. I hoped it would make me less awkward in person.”
“Awkward isn’t a word I’d use to describe you.”
“I don’t think I want to know how you’d describe me.”
Sexy, sweet, intriguing. No, she probably didn’t want to hear that description. At
least not from him.
least not from him.
A man walked up on the other side of Quinn and tapped her shoulder. “Excuse me, are
you Quinn?”
you Quinn?”
“Yes.”
Ryan left them to their introductions, but he already knew the date would end badly.
One look at this guy and Ryan could tell he’d been drinking. He watched Quinn and
her date from across the room. He knew Quinn was a smart woman. How could she not
see this ass was a waste of her time?
One look at this guy and Ryan could tell he’d been drinking. He watched Quinn and
her date from across the room. He knew Quinn was a smart woman. How could she not
see this ass was a waste of her time?
It was time for him to leave for Twilight, and he’d only come in to see Quinn, but
he wanted to watch this play out.
he wanted to watch this play out.
As he mingled with his usual customers, Ryan kept an eye on Quinn. Intelligence she
had in abundance; people smarts, not so much. He didn’t need a degree in psychology
to see that.
had in abundance; people smarts, not so much. He didn’t need a degree in psychology
to see that.
She shifted uncomfortably several times and kept tucking her hair behind her left
ear. The guy was on his third whiskey and she had yet to ask for a drink. Quinn rose
and carried her purse toward the bathroom. Ryan hoped she had enough sense to end
the date. When five minutes passed and she hadn’t returned, Ryan went to find her.
ear. The guy was on his third whiskey and she had yet to ask for a drink. Quinn rose
and carried her purse toward the bathroom. Ryan hoped she had enough sense to end
the date. When five minutes passed and she hadn’t returned, Ryan went to find her.
In the shadowed hall outside his office and the bathrooms, Quinn stood quietly watching
her table.
her table.
“What are you doing?” Ryan asked.
“I’m waiting.”
“For what?”
“For the loser to get the hint I’m not coming back.” Her dark hair barely skimmed
her chin and it swayed with every slight movement of her head.
her chin and it swayed with every slight movement of her head.
A quiet chuckle stuck in his throat. “Tell him to get lost.”
“It would be more trouble than it’s worth. He’ll get the hint.”
“What if he comes looking for you?”
Her eyebrows drew together. “Do you have a back door I can use?”
“He’s that bad, huh? I’ll tell him to leave.” He took a step forward, intent on making
sure she never felt afraid in his bar.
sure she never felt afraid in his bar.
Her smooth fingers wrapped around his forearm. “Please don’t. He’ll cause a scene
and I’d never be able to show my face in here again.”
and I’d never be able to show my face in here again.”
His skin warmed beneath her touch. He closed the small distance between them. “Why
are you putting yourself through this?”
are you putting yourself through this?”
Her light brown eyes widened, and even in the dark hall her sincerity was plain. “Because
I promised Indy I would go on at least five dates within the next two weeks. I need
to step outside my comfort zone.”
I promised Indy I would go on at least five dates within the next two weeks. I need
to step outside my comfort zone.”
She tugged her hand away and crossed her arms. Her eyes darted, as if keeping contact
was a battle. Her voice lowered a fraction. “You don’t know how hard it is to find
a normal date.”
was a battle. Her voice lowered a fraction. “You don’t know how hard it is to find
a normal date.”
“What makes you think that?” He pushed his palm against the wall next to her head
and caught the soft, powdery scent of her perfume. Did it make him an ass that while
she talked about dating other men, his thoughts focused on kissing her again?
and caught the soft, powdery scent of her perfume. Did it make him an ass that while
she talked about dating other men, his thoughts focused on kissing her again?
She shifted and tucked her hair behind her ear. When she looked up again, her face
had returned to the usual polite, impassive front. “Come on. I’m in here often enough
to see you with all kinds of women. I’m not judging you, but you can’t compare picking
the flavor of the week to dating.”
had returned to the usual polite, impassive front. “Come on. I’m in here often enough
to see you with all kinds of women. I’m not judging you, but you can’t compare picking
the flavor of the week to dating.”
He didn’t address her comments. She was right—he liked women who required nothing
from him but a good time. It wasn’t a concept she’d understand. She’d definitely require
more. He hadn’t attempted anything more serious since Cassie. “So what’s your plan?
Cast a wide net and see what you catch?”
from him but a good time. It wasn’t a concept she’d understand. She’d definitely require
more. He hadn’t attempted anything more serious since Cassie. “So what’s your plan?
Cast a wide net and see what you catch?”
She shrugged. “Indy said it’s all about numbers. I spent a bunch of money to join
the stupid dating site. They guarantee I’ll meet someone special. It’s in my best
interest to keep trying. Besides, I try to weed out the worst of the bunch.”
the stupid dating site. They guarantee I’ll meet someone special. It’s in my best
interest to keep trying. Besides, I try to weed out the worst of the bunch.”
His burst of laughter made her jump, so he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Sweetheart,
if you think you’re weeding out the bad ones, your radar is broken.”
if you think you’re weeding out the bad ones, your radar is broken.”
Her lips pulled back, but it wasn’t quite a smile. “I was born without radar.”
She eased away from him to peer around the corner. Her date was still there, gulping
another whiskey.
another whiskey.
Ryan felt sorry for her. The men she chose weren’t right for her. He didn’t even know
her well and he knew her choices sucked. Helping her didn’t make sense; he’d get nothing
out of it, except for the chance to see her smile. It might be his best chance to
show her he wasn’t all bad. Then maybe she’d give him a chance. “It’s lucky for you
my radar is overdeveloped.”
her well and he knew her choices sucked. Helping her didn’t make sense; he’d get nothing
out of it, except for the chance to see her smile. It might be his best chance to
show her he wasn’t all bad. Then maybe she’d give him a chance. “It’s lucky for you
my radar is overdeveloped.”
“How does that make me lucky?”
He leaned close to her ear and inhaled her scent again. The feminine fragrance shot
into his system and warmed his blood. “Because I’m the best wingman you’ll find.”
into his system and warmed his blood. “Because I’m the best wingman you’ll find.”
“Wingman?”
Ryan sighed. Had the woman spent years in a closet? “Keep meeting your dates here.
I’ll let you know which ones are losers.”
I’ll let you know which ones are losers.”
Her mouth hung open slightly, like she had questions to ask, but she said nothing.
He poked her shoulder and pointed to the back exit. “There’s your escape.”
Tension left the set of her shoulders. “Thanks for listening and the quiet escape.
I owe you one.”
I owe you one.”
“Go out to dinner with me.”
Where the hell did that come from?
She wasn’t ready to take him seriously yet. He’d agreed to be her friend. She wouldn’t
be swayed easily.
Where the hell did that come from?
She wasn’t ready to take him seriously yet. He’d agreed to be her friend. She wouldn’t
be swayed easily.
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