Finally, I asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're either stupid or you're lying." He leaned back in his seat. "The only question is…are you lying to me? Or to yourself?"
When I answered with nothing but a hard look, he added, "Youdoknow you're lying, right?"
It was a big topic, and if he really wanted to go there, he would need to narrow it down. Grudgingly, I asked, "About what?"
"She didn't 'dump' you because you're rich. Youdoknow that, right?"
"Yeah, well…trust me, it didn't help."
Unfazed, Ryder kept going. "She dumped you because you were pretending that the two of you are the same."
"Bullshit."
"I'm not talking about who you are day-to-day," he clarified. "I mean the rest of it." He gave me a rueful smile. "Lemme guess. She learned about your dad."
Something soured in my gut. "He's not my dad. He's an asshole."
"Yeah, arichasshole."
"So?"
Ryder shrugged. "So, like father, like son."
A low, ugly heat rose in my throat. "Bullshit," I said yet again. "I'm nothing like him."
"You look alike."
So fucking what?Through clenched teeth, I said, "I meant on the inside."
"Yeah, well…you act alike, too."
My pulse spiked like I'd just taken one hell of a hit. "Fuck this." I shoved back my chair and turned to go.
Ryder stood. "Hang on, will ya?"
I felt like decking him. "What?"
"I don't mean personalities. Or hell, ethics. I just mean…you're both pretty ambitious – came from nothing and still came out on top."
"Oh, yeah?" I stepped closer and said in a tight voice, "The only difference is, I'm not a fucking vulture. And ifIhad a kid…" I stopped short. "You know what? Forget it."
I moved to the balcony door and yanked it open.
Ryder's voice, low and awestruck, carried from behind. "Shit, man. You really are in love."
I froze.Was I?
But I already knew the answer. Sure, I hadn't said it. But Ihadfelt it.
And now?
The only thing I felt was pissed off.
I flipped him the finger and walked through the door, leaving Ryder on the balcony alone as I strode through his suite and made for the exit.
Just as I was heading out into the hall, Ryder called out, "You know I'm right."
