Langley Canfield hated confrontation. Sometimes, though, there was no choice.
Leaning back in the car’s seat, she stared at the sleeping city through the
windshield. It was a ridiculous time of the morning, but she was catching the
first flight out of Tampa International, and Ryder had to report early.
Thinking of him had her turning her head, taking in his profile. The dashboard
offered meager light, but she had his face memorized—the strong square jaw, full
lips, high cheekbones, sleepy hazel eyes, and longer-than-regulation, tousled
dark hair. Her lips curved. Ryder Pienkowski was half Italian, half Polish, and
all gorgeous. She wished she could add all hers to the list, but honesty
prevented it.
Her gaze drifted forward again. They needed to talk. Seriously talk. She loved
him, and after more than a year together, she was seeing forever. Langley wasn’t
certain Ryder shared that vision. Her hands tightened around the strap of her
purse.
“You okay?” Ryder asked, voice husky.
She swallowed a sigh. Damn it, he was too observant. She’d hoped that between
the dark and the early hour that she’d be able to work things through in her
head before broaching the topic. She should have known better. While Ryder
wasn’t a morning person, ten years in the army had honed his observational
skills to a sharp edge, and sleepy or not, it shouldn’t have surprised her that
he’d notice even the smallest detail.
Shifting in her seat to see him better, Langley said, “Yes, just thinking.”
“About what?”
After a split-second hesitation, she said, “Sarah’s wedding.”
It wasn’t a lie. Sarah’s wedding was what had started her questioning Ryder’s
commitment to their relationship.
“What about it?” Ryder glanced over briefly.
“Something feels off,” she offered slowly, “and I didn’t like her fiancé when we
talked on the phone. He seemed…slick. I didn’t trust him and I was uncomfortable
the entire conversation.”
“He might not be good on the phone. Some people aren’t.”
Logical, but this was about feelings. “Sarah and I are like sisters and have
been since we roomed together in college. We text each other at least a few
times a week, call each other frequently, and she never once mentioned Mitch
Armstrong. When she was going out with this Brett guy, she talked about him
constantly.”
“So? Maybe she didn’t bring up Armstrong because he was too important to her to
chatter about.” The light went green and Ryder’s focus returned to the road.
“Right. She’s been dating this man for two years and never once referenced him,
even in passing?” Langley shook her head. “They’re engaged for heaven’s sake. It
was Mitch who asked me to be her bridesmaid, and what was the reason? Because
she didn’t want me to have to spend money on a dress and fly across the country
to San Diego. Please.”
Ryder took another quick glance at her. “That does seem strange. She has to know
that you don’t have a job to worry about, and that you have enough money to
stand up to a thousand weddings.”
Langley looked at him squarely now, but his face was inscrutable. “I wanted to
fly out last week. She wouldn’t let me. I had to argue with her to let me come
out four days early. Sarah wanted me to arrive the day before the wedding.
Nothing about this feels right, and I think it has something to do with her
creeptastic fiancé.”
“Talk to her when you get there. You’ll get a better idea what’s going on if you
can see her face.”
With a nod, she said, “I intend to.”
Silence settled in the car again and while Ryder looked relaxed, Langley’s
tension increased. Talking about Sarah hiding Mitch’s existence reminded her of
Ryder and his behavior.
After more than a year, he’d never invited her anywhere that risked them running
into anyone they knew. Like he was embarrassed to be seen with her. Would he
keep her a secret if he loved her? Wouldn’t he want her to meet his friends?
Taking a deep, steadying breath, she said, “You know, you could still attend the
wedding with me. You’d only need to take a day of leave if you flew out on
Friday.”
He shook his head.
“I have enough frequent flyer miles that you wouldn’t have to buy a ticket.”
“Sorry, can’t do it.”
Langley felt her lungs constrict, forcing the oxygen from her body.
That could be the truth. She knew Ryder well enough to realize his Special
Forces team had a mission coming up. Something about him always seemed more
honed when he was close to leaving for an assignment. “Okay.” Langley feigned
easiness and stayed quiet for a moment before asking, “My parents are having a
Labor Day barbecue, and I’d like you to go with me.”
“No, thanks,” Ryder said, and his voice was neutral.
A huge weight settled on her chest. “There’s a gala to raise money for the
Paladin League, I’d love to have you as my escort.”
“Can’t make it.”
“You don’t know when it is.” Langley froze and locked down her emotions. She
wouldn’t create a scene. Even if it was becoming abundantly clear that while she
was good enough to sleep with, he didn’t want anything deeper than that.
“I don’t think so, Langley.”
There was a note in his voice that suggested Ryder didn’t want to hear one more
invitation. Well, she had her answer, right? He didn’t want to spend time with
her family or friends, and he’d already demonstrated that he didn’t want her to
spend time with his friends either. Who kept someone they loved cut off from his
life? But someone who was nothing except a female body? Yes, that woman might be
kept isolated.
Don’t make waves, don’t make waves. But sometimes there was no other choice. She
loved Ryder, but she couldn’t let him keep using her. The sign for the airport
had never been more welcome.
“I think,” Langley said slowly, struggling to keep her voice level and
unconcerned, “that we should stop seeing each other.”
“What?” The word was sharp as a knife and his head jerked her direction, his
gaze boring into her until someone honked at them and he looked back at the
road, returning the car to its lane.
“We both knew our relationship wasn’t forever.” At least Langley knew it now.
“It’s been fun, but it’s time to move on.” She gestured to her right. “Delta’s
over there.”
With no regard for traffic, Ryder cut over to the curb and braked hard. “You’re
dumping me?”
She opened her car door. “Please pop the trunk so I can get my bags.” Her voice
was tighter than she wanted, but Langley was fighting to hide her devastation.
Without waiting, she walked to the rear of the car. She retrieved her carry-on,
but they both reached for the handle of her suitcase. The warmth of his callused
hand over hers nearly dropped her to her knees. You’re an ambassador’s daughter,
she reminded herself. You don’t make scenes. She pasted a smile on her face. “I
have it, thank you,” she said as politely as she’d greet the prime minister of
Australia.
Ignoring her, he lifted it out and put it on the ground, pulling up the
telescopic handle for her. “We can talk about this when you get home.”
Langley shook her head. She had to get away from him before she fell apart—she
wouldn’t let him see her cry. “There's nothing left to say. Stay safe, Ryder,
and have a good life.” Without another word, she turned and walked into the
airport.
