Robyn Carr - A Summer in Sonoma

At work, he went the extra mile in other ways—ways the guys could appreciate. He kept the equipment spotless and organized; he was powerfully strong and the first one up the ladder, to the rescue.

The sexy man she’d fallen in love with was gone, replaced by this Neanderthal who couldn’t care less about her feelings. He’d been so great when he was trying to get her into bed, then trying to get her to stay in bed, then trying to get her to the altar—because he was an Italian Catholic and needed a wife to take care of his household, to have his kids. When they were engaged, they talked about having two or three kids, but she quit after Jason. She just didn’t have the energy to work, keep the house civilized and take care of a bunch of kids, Joe being one of them.

She didn’t think she loved him anymore…and she was beginning to wonder how she could stay with him…

“Marty!”

She lifted her head to see Ryan Chambers grinning at her. He picked up his beer and wandered over to her. Oh, God, she thought. This is the last thing I need right now.

“How you doing, baby?”

“Fine, Ryan. How are you?”

“Great. You meeting someone? Having dinner here?”

“No, I’m just going to pick up some takeout. I’ve had a long day, so I thought I’d have a glass of wine. How about you?”

“I thought about a pizza, but I don’t know. I’ll just have a beer, then decide.”

“How’s Jill?”

“Jill?” he laughed. “Marty, Jill and I are over…”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t know.”

“Yeah, that’s okay—you’re not expected to keep up with the love life of an old boyfriend. It happened about a year ago.”

“A year, huh? So, who is it now?”

“No one, as a matter of fact,” he said, sitting on the stool next to hers. “I thought I could use a breather.”

“ You’re not dating anyone?” she asked, stunned. He usually dated several women at a time.

“Oh, I’ve been out a couple of times, but it didn’t amount to much. I’m getting a little old for all that playing around—kind of tired of the whole bachelor scene. I think I finally worked through it. I’m looking for something different now. Something a little more stable. Reliable.”

“Really?” she said, leaning on her hand, not believing him for a second.

He looked into his beer and shook his head with a little silent laughter. “Really. I might finally be growing up.” He lifted his eyes. “At thirty-one, I don’t think it’s premature. Do you?”

“Hardly. Still, it’s the last thing I expected to hear out of you.”

“I deserved that. Did I ever apologize for that? Because if I didn’t, I should…”

“Don’t bother,” she said. “Long ago and far away.”

“How’s the family?” he asked.

She immediately looked away before she said, “Great. They’re great.”

When she looked back at him, he said, “Oh, yeah, sounds great. What’s the matter? Having some trouble?”

“Nah,” she said, “it’s nothing. Definitely nothing I feel like talking about.”

“Okay, let’s change the subject. Who have you seen lately?” he asked, and she knew he meant from their old gang.

So she told him about who was at the party she and Joe had hosted and lunch that day with the girls, but all the while she was thinking about their past. Ryan was her first love. He was a couple of years older, the big jock at school. Good-looking, flirtatious, funny, smart. He was also unpredictable, had a short attention span and a roving eye. She fell for him at fifteen and they were on and off for about five years with long breaks while he stole other virginities. He’d always come creeping back after four or six or eight months—sorry, repentant, seductive—and she couldn’t resist him. They’d have another few months of bliss, then he’d do it again—get sidetracked by another girl. By the time she was about twenty, maybe twenty-one, she had finally had enough and wouldn’t let him back. But of course, she never really got over him.

Funny, Ryan and Joe didn’t have any of the same flaws. Joe was incredibly married; he didn’t even flirt. In the looks department, they were pretty equal, though completely different. Ryan had a dimpled smile and twinkling eyes that could just make a girl wet herself. Joe was a damn fine-looking man when he was cleaned up, but Ryan took impeccable and fashionable to the next level; he could be a model. Joe had an incredible, strong, toned body—pecs, biceps, a narrow waist and six-pack such that when he wore that F.D. T-shirt pulled tight across his chest and shoulders, women went weak in the knees. Ryan was so adorable and good-natured; of course, he could look you in the eye, smile that heart-splitting smile and lie through his beautiful, straight, white teeth. Joe had darker good looks, almost black eyes, a shorter fuse, but he was the most honest man she knew.

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