The Right Move (Windy City, #2)

by Liz Tomforde

quirks. “Very observant tonight, Shay.” “Being normal is special. I won’t be the reason

you lose your privacy. Especially over something as trivi...

“I get that you want to be left alone, and you’re worried about me.” She pats my chest. “Cute, by the way, but I like people. I’m excited about this. You’re not forcing me. I want to go.” “Indy—”

No one cares about me. I’m not you, Ryan. It’s you they worship. So, please, let me go be a social butterfly because I’m starved for attention.” Her eager brown eyes lighten with humor. “You cross-stitch?” “Proudly.” “You grandma.” She smiles at that, matching the now relaxed grin on my lips. “Are you sure?” “I didn’t shave and moisturize every inch of my body to go back home. Yes, I’m sure.”

The guy could be out partying every night, getting away with any and every thing, but instead, he’s at home taking care of his son as a single dad.

“Okay, that seems like enough of a handshake there, buddy.” I separate them, putting my body slightly in front

don’t need him showing Indy those smiles especially when I don’t give her enough of mine.

“Yeah,” he sighs. “And he’s looking for a mom.” “Jesus Christ.” I huff out a laugh. “Try to be a little more fucking subtle why don’t you.”

“Hanover? As in Hanover, New Hampshire?” Indy asks, turning towards Ron. “Did you attend Dartmouth?” His brows lift. “I did.”

“Daily update for you, Vee.” “No thank you.” “Your brother is hot as hell, and I'd happily let him bend me over this bar top.” I pull my drink to my lips, keeping my attention on him.

“I’m pretty sure he’d notice.” Zanders’ chest bubbles with an arrogant laugh while holding his phone out to me. Ryan Keep an eye on Indy for me. She has no clue that these guys are eye-fucking the hell out of her in that goddamn dress.

“Rio, come on. Let’s go dance before the Raptors lose two of their best players tonight. One to murder and the other to a prison sentence.”

cock my head with a thoughtful smile. “Regardless that we love to give you a hard time, one day, someone is going to be very lucky to land you.” That olive skin tints with a shy smile. “Thanks, Ind.”

“Are you okay?” I ask. He swallows, looking over my shoulder as we continue to sway along the dance floor. “I’m pretty sure your fake boyfriend wants to very real kill me.” I still. “Geez. Does everyone know it’s fake?” “Stevie told Zanders and Zanders told me because, Indy, I was freaking the fuck out.”

He scoffs, his head jolting back. “I’m not talking about you. I thought one of my closest friends was dating Ryan Shay. Ryan freaking Shay. You know how I feel about him.”

Rio’s eyes continue to flicker to my roommate. “As much as it’d be an absolute honor to be punched in the face by Ryan Shay, I don’t know that a fundraiser is the best place for that.”

My roommate stands, slipping out of his suit jacket and slinging it over my shoulders. “Ryan—” “Your dress has had its moment. Trust me, no one has kept their eyes off you, but you’re shivering. You’re taking my jacket.” I’m not shivering because I’m cold.

“Well, I’m not. You’re the only man I’m seeing. Pretend or otherwise.”

know this isn’t real, but this is the first date I’ve been on.” “You mean since the breakup?” “No, I mean ever.” Eyes widen. “How is that possible?” “Alex and I had just kind of decided we were together one day. There was no first date or any date really. When we went out it was with all our friends. Sure, we lived together, but this is my first proper date, one-on-one. Ironic that it’s fake, huh?”

“Indy—” “Please, Ryan, don’t say anything. I know everything you’re thinking right now.” “No. That’s not how this is going to go. When you’re with me, I want you exactly as you are. That includes letting people know just how fucking smart you are. You’re not going to cater to anyone’s toxic masculinity bullshit. You’re not going to be quiet and appeasing when you’re with me. If Ron, or anyone else for that matter, has an issue with you being smarter

There’s a strong prick in my eyes, a quick burn of my nose because Ryan is right. He’s never met him, and yet, he knows everything I tried to ignore. “Don’t.” Ryan sits forward. “Don’t you dare cry.” I suck in a breath, shaking my head and stopping any emotions before they really start. “Sorry. We’re at your work event.” “Indy.” Both his large hands cup my face. “I don’t give a fuck where we are. You could cry all you want at this fundraiser. You could scream, laugh, throw a temper tantrum in front of these people for all I care. I don’t give

fuck, but you’re not crying over him, here or anywhere else.”

This isn’t one of my romance books. This isn’t a fairy tale. And even if it were, I’d be the worst main character because I am nowhere near able

to feel anything other than broken even for this man who is sexy and controlling in his own way. “Ryan,” I say, breaking the spell I wish I could allow myself to fall under. “Hmm?” “You’re really good at pretending when no one else is around. Now we need to work on it for when we have an audience.” Ryan sits back in his chair, creating a needed distance between us. “Right,” he says before finishing off his whiskey. “I’ll work on it.”

On the other hand, her mom is a petite woman, but that blonde hair and those warm brown eyes make me feel at home in the

same way I do with her daughter who shares the same attributes.

think selfishly I’ve wanted Indy to be here since the first night she slept in my spare room. Why else would I buy her a bed to sleep in and add vegetarian substitutes to my order every time I get groceries delivered? “Yes, sir. Always.”

You never know with her. Emotional girl, my roommate.

She balls her hand, but her pinky stays straight up then rubs her hand in a small circle over her heart. “’I’ for Indigo and my dad says I’m his whole heart.” She repeats her sign name. “Indy.”

“How would…” I hesitate uncomfortably. “How would an adult learn the language?” Her head snaps around to me. “You want to learn how to sign?” Oh fuck. Those glossy brown eyes are back. Indy, the romantic. “I want to be able to speak to your dad without you having to translate. That way I can let him know when his daughter is being a pain in my ass.”

made you coffee before I left for practice and put it in

the fridge to cool so it wouldn’t get watered down when you added ice.”

I just want the fridge to be stocked with things she can eat. I want her to feel at home here because it’s her home too. The realization rams into my chest. I want her here. I want her to want to be here. Fuck, when did that happen?

“Zee, you’re being sappy as fuck about this,” I laugh. “Spit it out.” “Ryan Taylor Shay.” Zanders gets on one knee in front of me. “Will you be my brother-in-law?” “You’re an idiot.” “I’m kidding.” He retakes his seat, laughing. “But I would like to know how you’d feel my asking Stevie to

marry me. You’re one of my best friends, but I also want both of you to be my family. Officially.”

Now, the only time emotions hit me is when my sister is involved. She’s my gray area in a world of black and white. I want her happiness more than I want my own and knowing the guy across from me makes her happier than she’s been in her whole life causes a slight burning in my eyes.

“And keep your teammates in check. If I hear that one of them tries anything with her again, I’m coming to you.” Zanders folds over his steering wheel in laughter. “Ryan, my guy, you’re so completely fucked, and you can’t even see it.”

was thinking about you the whole game.” “Aw, Ry.” A hand splays over her chest. “I’m flattered. Truly.” “I’m not kidding, Blue. I don’t want you picking up and driving random strangers around.” “Well, that’s not really your say, is it?”

Her voice is kind. “You’re what, Ryan?” “I’m…worried about you, Ind. I was worrying about you the whole game.” Her lips lift mischievously, her tone teasing. “Ryan Shay, do you care about me?” “No.” “You care about me.” “No, I don’t, but I’d rather you not get kidnapped while I’m playing a fucking basketball game.” She moves her shoulders, dancing around the island. “Ryan Shay cares about me!” “You’re annoying.”

“Yeah, but you still care about me.” Shaking my head, I try my hardest not to laugh. “I’m going to bed.” “Say it.” “Not saying it.” “Well clearly, words of affirmation are not your love language.” I turn around to face her, continuing to walk backwards to my bedroom. “None of this has to do with love.” “Ryan Shay cares about me!” Hands on her hips, she circles them, continuing to dance in my kitchen.

“None. I’m high on life, baby!” “You’re not paying rent anymore, by the way. So that should solve the whole driving random strangers home from the bars thing.” Her dance moves halt. “Ryan!” I roll my eyes. “I was saving it for you anyway. So just…put it towards whatever you’re saving for.” “You don’t have to do that.” “I know I don’t.” I lean back on my bedroom door, not quite going inside yet. “Knowing you’re not out there alone driving drunk dudes home at two AM is worth far more to me than five hundred dollars a month.

You don’t get much better than Indigo Ivers.

Indigo Ivers is the type of woman you keep forever, and even though I can pretend to be her boyfriend, there’s no way in hell I could pretend that one night with her wouldn’t completely fuck me up.

“Well, currently I’m housing this flight attendant who is terrible at cleaning up after herself. Total charity case. Tragic story, really.” She lightly smacks my arm, laughing. “Shut up.”

don’t think you’re great. I have no opinion about this whatsoever. I. Feel. Nothing.”

Call me old-fashioned, I don’t care, but I have yet and will not let her open her own door. Rounding the car, I unlock it on the key fob and open the passenger side to find Indy wearing an unimpressed expression. “You’re so weird about that.” “I’m not weird. You’ve just never had someone take care of you before, so you may as well get used to it.”

Cooties are not what I’m worried about. Indy loves to give me shit that I’m afraid of girls, but the truth is the only woman who has ever truly terrified me is her. Her intelligence, charisma, and sharp little attitude are the most frightening things about her, because I’ve never felt as weak as I do when I’m around her.

“Let’s go help with dinner before they think we’re in here fucking.” She raises a brow. “Trust me. If we were fucking, they’d know. I’m not very quiet.” Instantly,

“Jesus, Blue. Not funny. Are you trying to make me go have dinner next to my GM with a goddamn hard-on in my pants?” “That’s one way to convince him you’re into me.” She giggles mischievously. No one needs to be convinced. It’s fairly fucking obvious.

Daily update—I just want you to know, I saw the outline of your brother’s dick and I very much want to have sex with him. But I’m not going to. Aren’t I such