Page 66 of Untying the Knot
“Doyouwant peanut butter to dip them in?”
“Obviously.” I grab the peanut butter and scoop a large amount into a bowl and deposit it in front of Ryot as well as the pretzels.
Together, we each grab a pretzel and dip it in the peanut butter.
“Wow, okay, that shit is good.” He grabs another pretzel and dips it. “Really fucking good.”
“You can thank me with jars of peanut butter.”
“On it.” He turns toward me and says, “Okay, what kind of rock painting are we doing?”
I hand him a flat river rock the size of my palm. “I like to paint rocks to drop off at the Children’s Hospital. They use them to decorate the plants around the hospital, as well as in the gardens and playground. They’re supposed to bring color and joy, a reminder that the future is bright.”
He studies me for a moment and asks, “Really? You’re painting rocks for the Children’s Hospital?”
“Yup. Keeps me busy, makes me feel like I’m doing something, and allows me to be creative.”
“Are you a creative person at heart?”
I nod. “Always have been. Not much of an artist, but I’m great with colors. I have an eye for design, and I like keeping my hands busy with different crafts and projects.”
“Like what?” he asks as he picks up a paintbrush and dips it into some orange paint that I have on a paper plate.
“Well, you see our coffee table?” He glances over his shoulder into the living room. “I made that.”
“Really?” he asks, seeming impressed. “It looks expensive, like you got it from a fancy store.”
“It’s a Pottery Barn dupe. What should have cost me nine hundred dollars only cost me sixty-three dollars and thirty-three cents.”
“Wow, that’s impressive.”
“You know how to say all the right things, Bisley.”
“It’s the truth. You impress me.”
“Not sure how. It’s not like I have the second-best batting time in the professional leagues.”
He chuckles. “Second-best batting average in the Majors, and everyone is impressive in their own way.”
“Okay, so tell me how I’m impressive?” While he decorates his rock with orange paint, I continue to snack on pretzels—dipped in peanut butter, of course.
“For one, you’re painting rocks for the Children’s Hospital on your day off. You are loyal, hold strong to your morals, look for the good in people, and don’t take shit even from one of the most popular baseball players in Chicago.”
“Doesn’t seem impressive to me. Seems pretty average.”
His hand connects with my chin, and he gently turns my head to look him in the eyes. “It’s impressive, Myla. Not many people can say they hold strong to what they believe in, or that their loyalty is impenetrable. Very fucking impressive.”
I will tell you something right now. When I woke up this morning and decided to paint rocks, the last thing I expected was for Ryot Bisley to sit across from me, taking time to help me see the value I offer to this crazy world.
But on top of that, with those dangerously handsome eyes of his, I never expected for my heart to flutter, my mind to whirl, and my soul to take charge—andthat this would be the moment I start to fall for Ryot Bisley.
* * *
“Okay,so where are you from again?” I ask as I cuddle up on the couch with Ryot only a few inches away from me. We painted three rocks together, ate half a bag of pretzels, and guzzled two glasses of water. An eventful afternoon if you ask me. And for some reason, after we cleaned up, I didn’t want him to leave, so I asked if he wanted to stay for dinner. He said yes with one of his nipple-melting smiles, so we ordered Chinese for delivery.
“Bright Harbor, Maine. It’s a small town on the coast. Have you ever seen those Lovemark movies, the Christmas ones that everyone raves about every year?”
“Uh, have I heard of them?” I raise my hand. “Avid watcher over here.”
