Cameron saw that Ryan’s attitude had softened, and his irritation faded a little. “Good, then.”
Ryan gave a soft, ambiguous laugh. “You can rest easy. Leave Cassandra to me.”
Cameron thought Ryan meant that he had just been helping take care of Cassandra while Cameron was busy these past few days.
Cameron felt genuinely grateful. “Ryan, when all this is over, you have to come over for dinner. I’ll have Cassie make her grilled sea bass. Nobody does it better.”
Ryan looked surprised. “She can cook fish?”
“Of course. Her mother’s from the south. She learnt it from her.”
“Did she cook for you often?”
Cameron shook his head. “Not often. Just two or three times. But the taste is exceptional, as good as any professional chef’s.”
Two or three times. Ryan made a mental note.
“Oh, by the way, what brings you to the hospital today?” Cameron asked.
Ryan held up the fruit basket. “It was just a hospital visit. Annabelle might not be your wife, but that baby is still your child. As your friend, I figured I should show up.‘
Cameron frowned. “What about Cassie? Was she upset when she got back yesterday?”
“Not at all. She was lively as ever, honestly, bouncing around like a little prawn fresh out of the water.”
Cameron looked lost and a little sad. “You don’t have to sugar–coat it for me. I’ve been with her for 15 years. I know exactly what she’s like. The news about Annabelle’s pregnancy must have been a huge blow, and my parents only made things worse…”
Ryan’s gaze flickered, and he said quietly, “Maybe you should let go. Right now, you’re the only one holding on to this marriage.”
“That’s not true! She still loves me! She’s just shocked and hurt. Once all this is settled, she’ll come back to me.”
Ryan shook his head. “I wouldn’t be so sure.”
“I am sure!” Cameron said, his eyes brightening a little as he lowered his voice. “She’s picking out shirts for me, you know. I heard her myself.”
Ryan looked unconvinced. “Are you sure it’s for you?”
“Absolutely. I heard her tell Daisy to get the size to fit me.”
2/2
Ryan smiled, the corners of his lips curving upward. “You and I are about the same size. What if she’s buying it for me?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Cameron scoffed. “You two have never gotten along. She’d never buy you a shirt.”
Ryan didn’t argue and only smiled wider.
Why not? She really was buying it for him.
But he thought he’d let Cameron bask in this happy misunderstanding for a while. There was no need to reveal the truth just yet.
Cameron said, “Enough about me. How are things going with your girl?”
Ryan’s eyes sparkled. “Pretty well, actually. Things are moving along nicely.”
Cameron clapped him on the shoulder. “I’m genuinely happy for you. After all these years, you’re finally seeing your perseverance pay off. It won’t be long now before I’m toasting at your wedding.”
“We’ll see,” Ryan replied. “She recently just got divorced, so I doubt she’s in any hurry to get married again.”
“Her ex–husband wasn’t good to her?” Cameron asked.
Ryan’s smile grew sly. “He was a real mutt.”
Cameron, oblivious, was still talking. “Well, she’s one of us now. If she needs someone to teach her ex–husband a lesson, just let me know I can always find someone to sort him out.”
“No need,” Ryan said lightly. “If anyone’s going to handle him, it’ll be me. She’s mine. I’ll deal with her past myself.”
Just then, Ryan’s phone buzzed with a message. He reached for it.
Cameron teased, “Is that her texting you?”
Ryan gave a proud, almost boastful smile. “What can I say? She’s quite clingy.‘
But as soon as he read the message on the screen, his smile instantly vanished.
“What happened?” Cameron leaned in. “Don’t tell me she’s breaking up with you?” “No,” Ryan said, his expression turning grave.
Chapter 67
