Capturing the Moment

Chapter 5

Sidney

Ryan Chase looms in the narrow entryway to his kitchen, watching my every move.

We aren't at odds anymore. Now that I'm inside his house, I already won; but he's not letting this go. He doesn't want me to be happy until I'm gone. Except I'm not leaving anytime soon.

I give him the most genuine smile I can to smooth things over. If Conner needs some convincing once I pitch my big idea, it would be nice if his brother didn't actively hate me. Besides, the more people on my side the better.

Ryan keeps staring me down like I'm an actual criminal. Shooting my a look so intense it could kill and make me flush and feel weak.

Good thing I am sitting down.

On his very masculine dark gray sofa in his very masculine living room, full of industrial metal and reclaimed wood. Conner made space for me beside him on the couch, and I think he's flirting with me.

Maybe.

I can't tell.

I've been with Logan so long I have almost forgotten what real flirting feels like.

I lean away from Conner just in case, searching for the kindest possible way to put him in his place if I have to. To let bhim know exactly what kind of visit this is supposed to be.

Business only, NO exceptions!

Putting people in their place was easier when I was engaged to Logan. Flash the ring, drop his name - problems solved. Now I have to be more intentional.

My thumb drifts absently to the base of my now empty ring finger, searching for the platinum band I took off days ago. It was a nervous habit I needed to break anyway, fiddling with the ring. Now it's an emergency. Now accidentally reaching for that engagement band only makes me feel worse. Every. Single. Time.

I squeeze my hands into fists instead. Because that's something normal people do right? Make fists all the time like a teenager with anger. That would be a new nervous habit, a real tension breaker.

"Sorry to show up unannounced," I direct my apology toward Ryan as I unclench my fists and breathe. His demeanor doesn't soften. I'm already the enemy, and there's no turning back. "But I had something to run by you Mr. Chase. Straight business, of course."

"Call me Conner."

He flashes a dazzling smile, but I still can't tell what he's thinking. If that was supposed to be a seductive gesture, or if he wants to be my new best friend.

Conner Chase.

The man who is wearing footie-pajamas has not filmed one movie this year. The guy with dark circles under his eyes, like he's been up all night. Santa may have shown up last night.

He's a little too glad I am here, but maybe that's a good thing. It's better than the resentment pouring off his older brother. My gaze flicks to Ryan. I've glanced his way a lot in the past five minutes, though I'm not sure why.

He wasn't what I expected, maybe that's it. I knew Conner had an older brother, but I pictured him differently.

Usually when you meet the non-famous siblings of movie stars, it's obvious as to why they aren't famous too. They aren't as charismatic. The camera doesn't love them as much. But Ryan is different.

He's a little shorter than his movie star brother, but not by much. He makes up for it with a stronger build, the muscles in his chest and shoulders testing the fabric of his soft black Henley.

It's not only the muscles, though. It's not his tousled brown hair or sea green eyes that are doing me in. The trim beard I am not supposed to like or how tan he looks in that shirt. He has a general aura about him, that's the problem. Something I'm drawn to that I can't explain. A pull I can't ignore, even when I try.