CHAPTER EIGHTY–SIX–How Long Can They Run?
“What about this one?” Ryan asked, emerging from the dressing room in a navy blue tuxedo with black lapels.
Tim stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I don’t know, man. It’s missing something”
“Yeah?” Ryan frowned, examining his reflection. “Like what?
“Like a
a cape,” Tim said solemnly. “Every groom needs a cape.”
Laura burst out laughing. “Oh yes, and don’t forget the top hat and monocle. Essential wedding attire.”
Ryan shook his head, grinning. “You two are the worst. I’m starting to think I should’ve brought Julia instead.”
“And miss out on our expert fashion advice?” Tim gasped in mock offense. “Never!”
As Ryan disappeared back into the dressing room, Laura found herself genuinely enjoying Tim’s company. His quick wit and easy- going nature made the afternoon feel more like a fun outing with friends than a pre–wedding chore.
“So, Laura,” Tim said, leaning in conspiratorially. “What’s your take on bow ties versus regular ties? This is a debate Ryan and I have been having for weeks.”
Laura pretended to consider the question seriously. “Well, it’s a tough call. Regular ties are classic, but bow ties have that certain… je ne sais quoi.”
Tim nodded sågely. “Ah yes, the elusive je ne sais quoi. Very important in wedding attire.”
“Exactly,” Laura agreed. “Though personally, I’m partial to bow ties. They have character.”
“Ha!” Tim exclaimed triumphantly. “Did you hear that, yan? Laura’s on Team Bow Tie!”
Ryan’s voice floated out from the dressing room. “Laura’s just being nice. Everyone knows regular ties are superior.”
“Keep telling yourself that, buddy,” Tim called back.
Laura was still chuckling when Ryan emerged once more, this time in a classic black tuxedo. The laughter died in her throat as she took in the sight of him. He looked… Incredible.
Tim let out a low whistle. “Now we’re talking. That’s the one, man.”
Laura nodded, not trusting herself to speak just yet. Ryan turned to examine himself in the mirror, a pleased expression on his face.
“Yeah, I think you’re right,” he said. “This feels good.”
As Ryan continued to inspect his reflection, Laura noticed something off about the fit. Without thinking, she stood up and approached
him.
“The shoulders aren’t sitting quite right,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Reaching out, her fingers grazed the nape of Ryan’s neck, sending a shiver down his spine. “Here, let me…”
Her hands moved slowly, deliberately, smoothing the fabric over his shoulders and down the broad expanse of his back. The warmth radiating from his skin seeped through the thin cotton of his shirt and into her palms.
Laura’s breath hitched as she realized how close they were, her body almost brushing against his. She tilted her head up, her gaze meeting Ryan’s in the mirror.
Time seemed to dissolve. The room faded away, leaving only the two of them suspended in a shared space of unspoken tension.
Laura’s awareness narrowed, focusing on the subtle pressure of her hands against his back, the faint scent of sandalwood and cedar that clung to his skin, the way his eyes, dark and intense, seemed to bore into hers.
The warmth in her chest blossomed into a full–fledged ache, a longing she had tried for so long to deny.
Her fingers drifted lower, tracing the curve of his spine, lingering at the small of his back A soft sigh escaped her lips, almost inaudible, but Ryan heard it. He leaned back, just slightly, into her touch, his muscles flexing beneath her fingertips.
His own breath grew shallow, his gaze locking with hers in the mirror. He could see the flicker of desire in her eyes, mirrored in his
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. The air crackled with unspoken emotions, the silence charged with a potent mixture of longing and apprehension.
Then, with a ragged intake of breath, Laura jerked her hands away as if she’d been burned. The spell was broken. She stumbled back a
CHAPTER EIGHTY SIX – How Long Can They Run?
step, her cheeks flushed, her heart pounding against her ribs.
“Thanks,” he said, his voice slightly rough. “It does feel better now.”
Laura nodded mutely, retreating to her seat. Tim, who had been uncharacteristically quiet during the exchange, gave her a curious look but said nothing.
The rest of the fitting passed in a blur. Laura tried to act normal, laughing at Tim’s jokes and offering opinions when asked, but internally, she was in turmoil. The latent feelings she had harbored for Ryan, which she thought were long buried, had come rushing back with alarming intensity.
As they left the store, tuxedo chosen and ordered, Tim pulled Laura aside.
“Hey, it was great meeting you,” he said warmly. “We should all grab drinks sometime soon, yeah?!
Laura managed a smile. “Absolutely. It was great meeting you too, Tim.”
She watched as Ryan and Tim said their goodbyes, her mind still reeling from the afternoon’s events. The walk home seemed to take forever, each step bringing her closer to the reality she now had to face.
When Laura finally reached her apartment, she found Jessie lounging on the couch, laptop balanced on her knees.
“Hey,” Jessie called out. “How was the tux fitting?”
Laura dropped her bag and collapsed onto the couch next to her roommate. “It was… complicated.”
Jessie raised an eyebrow, closing her laptop. “Complicated how?”
With a deep sigh, Laura recounted the events of the afternoon, including the moment with Ryan in front of the mirror. As she spoke, Jessie’s expression grew increasingly concerned.
“Oh, Laura,” she said softly when Laura finished. “That’s… that’s a lot.”
Laura buried her face in her hands. “I know. I thought I was over him, Jess. I really did. But today, when I saw him in that tux, when we were standing so close… all those old feelings came rushing back.”
