Oh my God.I’m doing it again.
I really need a boyfriend.
“I’m just making conversation,” she says, hiding innocently behind her coffee.
I’m starting to think that Riley might be influenced a bit too much by those O’Connors.
“Ryan’s just an insecure man, trying to find his path.”
“Ryan’s not even a man, Riley. He’s a condescending, spoilt little boy…”
“See, youdoknow him,” she comments, smugly. “But you’re talking about what you see on the surface. Behind his walls, there’s more to him – trust me.”
“Well, it’s not up to me to find that out. I have no interest in doing so. I’m thirty-two, Riley. I have a sixteen-year-old son, a job that takes up all my free time, a horrendous dating history with guys just like Ryan, and I don’t have time to play silly games. And he’s the worst kind of player.”
“I get it.”
“I’m not looking for anything, I’m not desperate for a man. And if Ididwant one, I’m certain it wouldn’t be one like Ryan O’Connor. No offence.”
“None taken. I know exactly what you’re talking about.”
I sigh and lean back against my chair.
“I’m tired of playing around, Riley. I just want to be with someone who really sees me, someone who wants me – warts and all. I don’t know if you know what I mean.”
She reaches her hand towards mine across the table.
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’m not going to go chasing him down,” I tell her, determined. “He isn’t for me.”
“Okay, then I’m sorry. I just thought that…oh, forget it.”
“Mmm?”
“I’ve known Ryan for a while now and I thought I saw something – but I probably just got the wrong idea.”
I smile at her, before standing up.
“I have to get back to work now – sorry.”
“Of course. Thanks for the chat.”
“No problem, you know I enjoy it. You’re part of the furniture here now!”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll see you later,” I say, waving before heading back behind the counter, with her words pulsing through my mind and the heaviest weight in my stomach.
