Page 28 of Choosing Us

Ryan

Fair enough—and yes, I’m a nerd too. It’s one of the reasons you like me so much.

I laugh out loud and have to cover my mouth when it turns into a cough. I am forced to step away from the counter and refill my tumbler with fresh ice water. The flu sucks, but at least my cough seems better today than yesterday. A few sips of cold water and I pick up my phone to respond, only to see that my brief absence was noticed.

Ryan

Was that too much?

Ryan

Did I lose you?

Me

No, sorry, I was literally laughing out loud, and it turned into a cough attack.

Ryan

Are you ok? Do you need cough medicine? I can have some delivered.

This man. He is at least forty-five minutes away in Forrest Falls, and I just know that if I said yes, he would have cough medicine delivered to my front door simply because he thinks I need it.

I don’t need more cough medicine, but I’m starting to wonder if what I really need—and want—is more of Ryan in my life.

Me

I’m good, the soup is wonderful though. Thank you so much. How did you know this was my favorite? Did Viv tell you?

Ryan

No, you did.

Me

What? When?

Ryan

When we met.

Me

And you… just remembered?

Ryan

Yep.

Me

…Why?

Ryan

I was intrigued by our conversation, so I made a note in my phone to try the restaurant next time I was in Nashville.

Me