Ryan couldn't believe what he was hearing. Keeley, the quintessential New Yorker, was the last person he'd expect to move. And all to avoid a guy? She wasn't one to run; she faced problems head-on. Her ex-boyfriend must be a serious problem if she couldn't handle him like she handled everything else.

He didn't want her to leave. Keeley had been a constant presence in his life for nearly seven years. He couldn't imagine life without her random texts demanding he come over. If she lived hours away, that spontaneity would be impossible.

Unfortunately, she was right: New York City lacked genetics programs. A degree from NYU was unlikely to land her a job at Columbia, forcing her to look elsewhere if NYU didn't retain her.

"Have they really said nothing about keeping you on?" he asked.

Keeley shook her head. "I'm afraid to ask. If I want to continue my research, I need a postdoctoral research assistant position. I'd need a mentor and further training for a tenured position someday."

"Why not work at a research lab? Surely you could find one that accepts your area of study. Showing your research helps with job hunting. There has to be a lab here interested in gene therapy."

"The only ones I know of are at NYU and Columbia."

It seemed New York wasn't the best place for a geneticist. If NYU didn't keep her, she'd have no choice but to leave, unless she accepted a job below her qualifications—which she'd never do. Keeley was stubborn; if she couldn't research what she cared about, she wouldn't do it at all.

He wondered about her single-minded obsession with cystic fibrosis research. Someone she cared about must have had it; that was the only explanation. A family member? Her mother and brother were deceased, but he knew nothing else about them. If one had died from it…Ryan couldn't blame her for only accepting a job that would help her achieve her goal.

If she left New York, he might leave too. He had friends here, but making new ones was easy; finding someone to love wasn't.

He smiled and changed the subject. "Want to play Egyptian Rat Screw?"

"Sure," Keeley said happily, relieved to avoid discussing her move.

As they played, Ryan's mind wandered. That ex-boyfriend was rooted in New York. He was a vice president at a major corporation; he couldn't leave. Keeley might forget him if he wasn't in the same city. This could be a good thing.

She laughed when she had a good hand, and he smiled indulgently. She didn't really care about him, did she? She must be confused because he was always around. He'd seen firsthand his negative impact on her life. She was avoiding him to live in peace. At a glance, Ryan could see how domineering he was. He was all wrong for her.

Keeley was bright, happy, and spirited. A cold, controlling person would destroy her—had destroyed her once, if that appletinis-fueled night was any indication. It was unfortunate they were both in the wedding party. Ryan wasn't, so he couldn't protect her then. The least he could do was fend the guy off during the reception. Then it would be over.

Keeley slapped down a set of doubles, delighted to win the round. "You really need to pay more attention," she said with a dazzling smile. "It was wide open, and I still got it."

"Right, sorry."

The next time the slap rule applied, they both went for it simultaneously, and Ryan slammed her hand onto the table. She rubbed it, saying "ow," and making a face. He apologized, secretly glad he'd touched her hand, however briefly.

He was truly distracted—Keeley won all the cards in less than fifteen minutes.

"Did you let me win to make me feel better?" she demanded.

"No. Your reaction time is better than mine."

She eyed him suspiciously. His reaction time was good enough for him to win at Spit twice.

He put on his most innocent expression. He hadn't let her win; his head was in the clouds worrying about her ex. It was dismaying that she still spent time with him after clearly disliking him initially.

Had his name been Aaron? He'd grown on her like a weed if she was willing to hang out with him. She was oddly patient with him on Valentine's Day but distant at the engagement party a few weeks later. Something must have happened between them.

What exactly did he do? Did he make a move to win her back? What a scumbag.

Ryan hated when cheaters changed their minds after realizing what they'd lost. His sister's ex-boyfriend had done the same. Thankfully, his sister hadn't fallen for it. Keeley, however…

She used to curse Aaron out. What had changed her mind?

(The final promotional sentence has been removed as it is irrelevant to the text cleanup.)