Chapter 383

Ryan stepped out of his car, dressed in a crisp white shirt, his hair perfectly styled. He had the look of a charming rogue who came from a good family. The roses in his hand popped against his white shirt, making for a scene you just couldn't ignore. Watching it all, I felt a little dazed, like I was caught in a dream. The tension between Jared and Nathan was thick, but the moment Ryan stepped out of his car, it was like time froze. While they were still stunned, I turned and bolted toward the apartment complex. By the time they snapped out of it, I was already inside.

I planned to stick around here for a while, so the last thing I wanted was to have everyone in the neighborhood watching my drama. The memory of the last time all three guys had dinner at my place was still haunting me—talk about awkward. Now they’d bumped into each other again, and I didn’t want to pick sides or get caught in the middle. Honestly, bailing was the smartest move.

When I got home, I went out to the balcony and checked the street below. Jared and Nathan had already taken off–their cars were nowhere to be seen. Soon after, I heard someone knocking at the door. My chest tightened as I stared at the door, anxiety creeping in.

‘God, please don’t let it be all three of them,’ I thought.

I walked over and peeked through the peephole. All I could see was a vivid bunch of roses. The next moment, I heard Ryan calling out from the other side of the door. “Victoria, open the door.”

I opened the door, and there was Ryan standing outside. The roses he’d been cradling before were now clutched in his hand, the stems trailing down as if he’d forgotten all about them.

“Why didn’t you leave?” I asked him.

He lifted the roses again, but as he did, a few petals fluttered to the floor. Ryan bent down, picked up the fallen petals, and glanced at me. “I just got here. I’m not leaving yet.”

Then he stepped inside, set the petals down on the white table, grabbed a vase nearby, filled it with water, and started unwrapping the roses, making himself right at home as he arranged them. I watched him finish all that, my brows knitting together. “I’ve had a few drinks, and now my head’s spinning. I really don’t have the energy to play host right now.”

Ryan finally looked up at me. “I’m not a kid, Victoria. I don’t need you to look after me.”

Is he really playing dumb? I’m obviously trying to show him the door, I thought.

“You said you had a headache. Let me rub your temples–I actually picked up a few tricks from a doctor. Whenever my grandpa got headaches, I was always the one to help him out,” Ryan said in a low voice.

I laughed. “It’s just the booze getting to me, that’s all.”

“Headaches are no joke,” Ryan said, stepping right up to me. My eyes drifted to his shirt—up close, that silk fabric looked so smooth, and I could just make out his chest muscles underneath. Why does he have to look so good even when I’m feeling like crap? I thought.

“Come on, sit down,” Ryan said, grabbing my wrist and firmly sat me down in the armchair.

The dizziness was making everything fuzzy, and I tried to stand up, but Ryan slipped behind me and held me down by the shoulders so I couldn’t get up. Guess I’m not going anywhere, I thought, feeling my mind slow to a crawl.

“Relax, I’m not going to try anything,” he said, probably thinking I was worried he’d make a move. Like I’d actually be worried about that, I thought.

I leaned back in the chair, but the hair tie at the back of my head was tugging painfully. So I just pulled it out, letting my thick hair tumble down over my shoulders. Ryan’s fingers gently pressed against my temples, applying just the right amount of pressure as he massaged them. Almost instantly, I felt myself start to relax.