Page 55 of Ring Rust

Winnie wiped her mouth and placed her napkin on her plate. “Me too?”

“Go ahead,” Beni said. “Winnie, can you make sure the bedroom is set up with everything you two might need?”

“Sure. Let’s go, Nina.”

“I need to finish packing,” Beni said.

Stevie scoffed. “I can’t believe you’re not finished yet. I’ve been packed for a week.”

“I know. You’ve texted me about a dozen times this week letting me know you need something that’s already packed away.”

“Sorry for keeping you up to date on my life,” Stevie said.

“I love hearing about your life, babe. Just not panicked texts about how you think someone stole your underwear.”

“It really happened once!”

“Yeah, when we lived in an apartment with a public laundry room.”

“Ladies,” Ryan said, laughing. “Go ahead. I’ll handle the dishes.”

“Thank you. Jasper, come with me. I’ll show you where I posted the kids’ schedules.”

Jasper nodded and followed Stevie out of the room, leaving Beni and Ryan alone at the table.

“You’re sure about this?” she asked.

Ryan shrugged. “What choice do I have?”

“You could have split up the days, like I suggested.”

“That’s more work than necessary. Plus,” he said, leaning towards her, grinning. “I have a plan.”

“A plan?” she said, leaning in closer. “What kind of plan?”

Ryan lowered his voice. “I’m going to convince Jasper he made a mistake. I’m going to make his life so good the next two weeks, he’ll wonder what he was thinking.”

Beni’s face fell. “Ry, no.”

“Beni, yes.”

She stood from the table. “I can’t support this. You’re going to get hurt.”

“No, I’m not. How can I even get hurt worse than before?”

“He’s made it clear he doesn’t think he made a mistake. I’ve talked to Stevie about this. It’s not going to happen. He’s not… he doesn’t want that.”

“He might.”

“He doesn’t, Ry.”

Ryan crossed his arms. “He brought me a pill organizer I haven’t used in six months.”

“He felt bad about your eye. That’s what Stevie told me.”

“Agree to disagree.” Ryan stood and gathered the dishes, carrying them to the kitchen without another word to Beni. She followed him and touched his shoulder.

“I have to go say bye to Nina and head home to finish packing. I’m sorry if I upset you.”