It Ends with Us

Jesus. He has to stop saying things like that. I press my
palms into the table and pull my leg down. “Naked truth
coming.”

---

He leans against the table next to me and says, “All
ears.”
I hold nothing back. “I’m very attracted to you,” I say.
“There’s not much about you I don’t like. And being as
though you and I both want different things, if we’re ever
around each other again, I’d appreciate it if you could
stop saying things that make me dizzy. It’s not really fair
to me.”
He nods once, and then says, “My turn.” He places his
hand on the table next to me and leans in a little. “I’m
very attracted to you, too. There’s not much about you I
don’t like. But I kind of hope we’re never around each
other again, because I don’t like how much I think about
you. Which isn’t all that much—but it’s more than I’d
like. So if you still aren’t going to agree to a one-night
stand, then I think it’s best if we do what we can to avoid
each other. Because it won’t do either of us any favors.”
I don’t know how he ended up this close to me, but
he’s only about a foot away. His proximity makes it hard
to pay attention to words that come out of his mouth. His
gaze drops briefly to my mouth, but as soon as we hear
the front door open, he’s halfway across the room. By the
time Allysa and Marshall make it to us, Ryle is busy
restacking all the crates that fell. Allysa looks down at my
ankle.
“What’s the verdict?” she asks.
I push my bottom lip out. “Your doctor brother says I
have to stay off of it for a few days.”
She hands me my water. “Good thing you have me. I
can work and do what I can to clean up while you rest.”
I take a drink of the water and then wipe my mouth.
“Allysa, I’m declaring you employee of the month.”
She grins and then turns to Marshall. “Did you hear
that? I’m the best employee she has!”

---

He puts his arm around her and kisses the top of her
head. “I’m proud of you, Issa.”
I like that he calls her Issa, which I’m assuming is short
for Allysa. I think about my own name and if I’ll ever find
a guy who could shorten it into a sickeningly cute
nickname. Illy.
Nope. Not the same.
“Do you need help getting home?” she asks.
I hop down and test my foot. “Maybe just to my car. It’s
my left foot, so I can probably drive just fine.”
She walks over and puts her arm around me. “If you
want to leave the keys with me, I’ll lock up and come back
tomorrow and start cleaning.”
The three of them walk me to my car, but Ryle allows
Allysa to do most of the work. He seems almost scared to
touch me now for some reason. When I’m in the driver’s
seat, Allysa puts my purse and other things in the
floorboard and sits in the passenger seat. She takes my
phone out and begins programming her number into it.
Ryle leans into the window. “Make sure to keep ice on
it as much as you can for the next few days. Baths help,
too.”
I nod. “Thanks for your help.”
Allysa leans over and says, “Ryle? Maybe you should
drive her home and take a cab back to the apartment, just
to be safe.”
Ryle looks down at me and then shakes his head. “I
don’t think that’s a good idea,” he says. “She’ll be fine.
I’ve had a few beers, probably shouldn’t be driving.”
“You could at least help her home,” Allysa suggests.
Ryle shakes his head and then pats the roof of the car
as he turns and walks away.

---

I’m still watching him when Allysa hands me back my
phone and says, “Seriously. I’m really sorry about him.
First he hits on you, then he’s a selfish asshole.” She
climbs out of the car and closes the door, then leans
through the window. “That’s why he’ll be single for the
rest of his life.” She points to my phone. “Text me when
you get home. And call me if you need anything. I won’t
count favors as work-time.”
“Thank you, Allysa.”
She smiles. “No, thank you. I haven’t been this excited
about my life since that Paolo Nutini concert I went to
last year.” She waves goodbye and walks toward where
Marshall and Ryle are standing.
They begin walking down the street and I watch them
in my rearview mirror. As they turn the corner, I see Ryle
glance over his shoulder and look back in my direction.
I close my eyes and exhale.
The two times I’ve spent with Ryle were on days I’d
probably rather forget. My father’s funeral and spraining
my ankle. But somehow, him being present made them
feel like less of the disasters they were.