Page 43 of Secrets in the Deep

“Thanks.” Ryan started to move, slipping through the crowd, eyes only for Emily.

When he reached the high table, he stopped beside her.

Her eyes widened when she looked up, a slight glaze over the deep hazel. “Hey. What’re you doing here? Wait, don’t tell me! Zac called.” She glanced toward the pool table. “Your friends have been watching meveryclosely.”

“They’re worried.”

“About me? Why? I’ve goteverything. Money. Fame. A career people would kill for. What’s there to worry about?” She lifted her drink and swallowed a big gulp of the liquid.

“What’s going on, Emily?”

“Just havin’ a good night. Appreciating the life that’s beengiftedto me.”

Preston’s arm swung around her shoulders. “Everything okay here?”

She glanced at him, a slow smile curving her lips. “Just reminding Ryan howluckyI am.”

“Fuck yeah, you are. We’re the rich and famous, baby.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed on the arm around Emily’s shoulders, then he returned his attention to the idiot who owned it. “You drinking too?”

“Are you for real?” He looked at Emily. “Is he for real?”

“Very real. And very good at making decisions for people.” There was a slight slur to her words. She swallowed the last of her drink. “Time for another.”

She stepped out from beneath Preston’s arm and headed toward the bar. Ryan followed, making sure he was close enough so that if she swayed or tripped, he’d catch her.

“Your mother paid me a visit,” he said once they’d reached the bar.

“Well, she’s a bundle of joy, so that must’ve been fun.” She looked at him, but there was anger in her eyes now. “Let me guess—she was looking for me? She was angry that I left and for once made a decision for myself.”

He inched closer and lowered his voice. “What happened?”

“She lied to me. Shetrickedme. But that’s not even the worst part. The worst part is, I let her.”

Dusty stopped on the other side of the bar. “What can I get you?”

“Vodka soda, please. No, two. Saves me a trip back when I finish the first.”

Dusty looked at Ryan, who gave a subtle nod. Emily could have her drinks, but he’d make sure she got home safely.

As Dusty turned to prepare the drinks, Ryan looked back at Emily, angling his body toward her and making sure his words only reached her ears. “What did she lie to you about?”

“Do you know she blames the fact that she never had an acting career onme? Because she was pregnant with me? Does she even know how many ridiculously famous and talented actors were discoveredafterhaving kids? If every actress could only work until she got pregnant, Hallmark movies would have an extinction event.”

“Emily—”

“Here you go.” Dusty set the drinks on the bar, and Emily rummaged through her purse, but Ryan handed money over before she could pay.

She frowned. “Why’d you do that?”

“What did your mother do?”

She lifted one of her drinks and handed him the other. “Drink with me.”

“Em—”

“Actually, I have a better idea.”