The Right Move (Windy City, #2)

by Liz Tomforde

when it comes to Zanders, I’m happy I was completely wrong about the guy. He lights my sister up like I’ve never seen before, allowing her to own who she is with confidence. Hard to hate the guy when he’s the best thing to happen to your favorite person.

“Not mad. Just disappointed. Would it kill you to care about someone or something other than this orange ball?” “I care about you,” I

Daily update—if you make me move in with your brother, I will sexualize him every chance I get. I will text you every single day and remind you that he is the hottest man I’ve ever laid eyes on. Daily, you will hear just how badly I want him to do dirty, dirty things to me.

Every kind of motivational or self-help book you could imagine lines the shelves and they’re organized by…Are you kidding me? Alphabetical order of the author’s last name.

This guy is a monster who probably runs marathons for fun and passes out nutrition bars on Halloween.

“Coffee? It’d be nice to get to know the person I’m living with. Who knows, maybe we’ll even be friends?” His eyes narrow. “Okay, no friends.” I hold my hands out in defense. “No friends. No food. No fun. Got it.”

I’m not easily distracted, but if I could manifest my perfect distraction, it’d look a lot like her.

“Why?” Her brows furrow. “Why what?” “Why are you so emotional?” “Why are you so cold?” I switch gears because she’s not getting that answer so easily. “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong is my life has gone to absolute shit, okay? Sorry, I can’t control my emotions because my shitty boyfriend of six years cheated on me with some chick from his office! And I was the one to lose my apartment because of it. I can’t afford to live on my own in this city, and now I’m sitting in my best friend’s brother’s apartment who doesn’t want me here either! Do you think I want this? I don’t! I want my old life back.”

“No, you’re not.” “Excuse me?” “You’re not moving out. I’ll have a spare key made for you, Indiana.”

Daily update—why the hell is this room the color of a baby duckling?! I wish your bed was still here. Zanders is rich enough to buy a different one for your guest bedroom. Oh, and your brother is a dick. Stevie Well, at least that’ll keep you from wanting to sleep with him! When did I say that? I’m a romance reader. I have a thing for assholes.

“We aren’t into bras?” “We? I personally don’t love wearing one with my pajamas, but you do you.” I hold my hands up in surrender. “Judgment free zone.”

“I love coffee. But I don’t drink hot coffee. I’m waiting for it to cool down, then I’ll add some ice. And creamer. Lots of creamer.”

winter?” “It could be negative twenty, and I’ll hold an iced coffee in my hand while I wear my winter gloves.”

“Ever hear the phrase ‘she’s not like other girls’?” He gives a small nod of his head. “Yeah, that’s not me. I’m just like every other chick. As basic as they come. I had an Uggs phase. I had a skinny jeans phase. I like my books

with romance, my coffee with more creamer than caffeine, and I even take aesthetic pictures of my food anytime I’m at a restaurant.”

“You’re pretty…bold for someone who just got here yesterday and still hasn’t signed a lease. And you ask a lot of questions.” “You think I’m pretty?” “You heard the first two words and tuned out the rest, huh?” He raises an eyebrow, unimpressed.

“My favorite color? So glad you asked. Lavender.”

“You should never have to beg someone to be ready for a future,” he says, and the words come out more tender than I think he anticipated. “Regardless of your apartment décor, life isn’t always black and white, Ryan.”

“It is when it comes to love. Either you want each other, or you don’t. Six years and a lifetime of memories is more than enough time to figure it out. He was stalling. You need to move on.” “Jesus. A little harsh there. I’m trying.” “No, you’re not. Not really. You were crying last night because of him. You can say it was because I’m an ass and what I said was mean, but it was because of him. You’re living here because of him and that hurts your feelings. He didn’t want you. He proved that by waiting six years to propose, and he practically screamed that from the rooftops when he decided to fuck someone else in your bed. So, yes, Indiana, it is black and white. You need to move on. He doesn’t deserve shit from you, including your tears.”

“Your real name is Indy?” “Indigo, actually. But I prefer Indy.” “Indigo? Like the color?” “Yes, like the color. My parents had an interesting phase when I was born. They had one kid and went with ‘Indigo.’”

“Sure thing. I’ll stop with the nickname, Blue.” “No. Absolutely not. It’s Indy, just Indy.”

takes my now room temperature coffee and pours a bit in the sink before turning back to the fridge and filling my mug with ice. Pulling a small carton of milk from the refrigerator, he sets them both down in front of me. “I don’t have any creamer, so hopefully milk will do. You’re not lactose intolerant too, are you?”

Well, I’ll be damned. Ryan Shay has a sense of humor.

I’d hate them, but this is Ryan Shay we’re talking about. I wish I were you.” I turn back to Zanders. “To answer your question, he made me cry.” “I’ll kill him,” Rio decides. “Settle down there, tiger. I don’t know that it was necessarily Ryan’s fault. I think I’m just having a tough time in general.”

“Rio, you really are in love with my future brother-in-law, aren’t you?” “Undoubtedly.” He shifts his attention to Maddison. “How does it feel knowing he lives under you?”

It’s decided. I’m going to bring some color into Ryan Shay’s life if it’s the last thing I do.

It’s mine. And it’s from Ryan. For someone who doesn’t care about anyone or anything, this sure is thoughtful.

How much did it hurt to buy something that wasn’t black or white? Almost killed me. Is this your love language? Gift-giving? Nothing about this situation has to do with love, Blue. You needed a bed. Don’t think too much into it.

Mm-hmm. Watch out, Ryan. You keep doing nice things for me like cooking me breakfast and buying me bedding and I’m going to think you want me to stay or something. Gotta get to practice. Nice avoidance, big guy. Clean your room, it’s a safety hazard. My cheeks hurt from the splitting grin on my face. Ryan Shay doesn’t totally hate having me here.

Sure, he didn’t realize that I was wide awake most of the night wondering why my new roommate wasn’t home yet, but I was.

“Shay, you are the luckiest man alive. Please tell me you’re hitting that.” My head whips around to my teammate. “Watch your fucking mouth.” “Well, if you don’t try, I will.” “Dom,” Ethan warns, trying to hold back his laughter. “Ryan is about to combust, so I’d tone it back there, buddy.”

“Stop looking at her,” I warn. “Go hit the showers or get to the airport or just about anything other than look at her. She’s not available.”

“So, you are hitting that.” Dom nods in approval. “No, I’m not hitting that. And neither are any of you. Stop looking at her or she’ll be the last thing you ever fucking see.” “Ooooh. Protective Shay is here, and his sister is nowhere to be found. Someone write this date down. History is being made, people. Ryan Shay gives a fuck about someone other than Stevie and something other than basketball.”

“Dom, you’re about to get your ass kicked. If not by Ryan then by me.” Ethan shakes...

Is it serious? It’s seriously delusional just like me because I’m a fucking idiot thinking I could pull this lie off.

“Oh, it’s all him. Sweetest man I’ve ever met. And emotional! Did you know he was so emotional?” “I had no idea. Shay is always so composed around here.” “Oh, he’s emotional all right! Huge crier too. He sobbed the first time we made lo—”

“Do you want me to get on my knees and beg or something?” “Now that you say it.” She cocks her head to the side, eyes roaming my length. “I wouldn’t mind knowing what you look like on your knees, Shay.” “Indy, please.” “This is ridiculous. We can talk about it when you get home.” “Perfect. Great. All I’m asking for is one night.” “Go get me your key so I can go crash in my new expensive bed.” “What an amazing guy to buy you a bed. Probably makes you want to return a favor. He seems like a wonderful person.” Indy rolls her eyes. “He’s on my shit list at the moment.”

What am I doing? I pulled her out of bed so I could get my apartment back to normal and here I am asking her to make more of a mess by offering to water her fucking flowers?

What she’s going through resonates with me, and if Indy having some flowers in my apartment will make her happy, well then, I guess I’m growing a green fucking thumb.

“Hug me back, Ryan,” she mumbles into my shoulder.

“Your curtains can stay. And the plants and your pillows and blanket. But you’ve got to get your naked men off my bookshelf.” Her back vibrates with a laugh. “Deal. Although, you could learn a thing or two from my book boyfriends. You do have that broody, mysterious thing going for you already though.”

will be a downgrade from NBA superstar Ryan

Shay.” I hold a hand over my chest. “Blue, you flatter me.”

“Indy, please. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch—” “Ew. Don’t say it like that.” “Fine. You do me a solid, I’ll do you one. I’ll be the best fake boyfriend you’ve ever had.” “My one and only.”

“Blue—” “Do you know how to growl?” “What?” “Yeah, I don’t really know what that’s supposed to sound like, but every one of my book boyfriends is big into growling. Oh! And can you darken your eyes?” “Darken my eyes?” “Yeah. When you pretend to get angry or act really turned on, can you darken your eyes?” “No, I can’t fucking darken my eyes. What the hell are you reading?” “Don’t hate on my books. You could learn a thing or two from them. And they’re much more entertaining than your shelves of masochism.”

hope you do,” she says softly. “You’d be good to someone. You’d make someone happy. I can tell.”

I’m sure I have something in my closet. And here I was about to offer my expensive girlfriend the opportunity to take my credit card out for a spin. Now that you say it, I’m pretty sure my entire wardrobe got lost in the move. That’s weird because your bedroom door still won’t close thanks to all the clothes sitting on the floor. Oh, that’s where it all went! Lucky you, I’m covered for this one.

tried! I really tried to keep them alive, but I think I watered them too much and drowned them. Then when I went down to the flower stand today to buy the same ones in hopes you wouldn’t notice, they didn’t have them. So I bought you some called Black-eyed Susan? Which is the weirdest fucking thing to call a flower.

“You’re a normal person, Blue.” Her lip