Free Yours to Hold: Ribbon Ridge Book Two by Darcy Burke Page B

good. I look doughy.” He smiled to take the sting out of his self-deprecation.
    “You also look happy and accomplished.” Kyle gestured toward Maggie. “This is Maggie. Maggie, this is Andy.”
    “Nice to meet you,” she said.
    “Ditto. Watch out for this jerk,” Andy said, jabbing his thumb toward Kyle. “He’s a smooth talker.”
    She smiled, her eyes lighting with mirth. “So I’m learning.”
    Kyle reluctantly pulled his gaze from her sexy stout-colored eyes and lush, peach-hued lips. He could just sit and stare at her for a long time, he realized. And that wasn’t weird. Mentally shaking himself, he looked at Andy. “This place is fantastic. You should be really proud.”
    “I am, but it’s a ton of work. I hear you’re opening a place in Ribbon Ridge—your family’s renovating that monastery?”
    “It was my brother’s plan.”
    Andy grabbed his shoulder. “I’m such a douche. I was really sorry to hear about Alex. You okay?”
    Kyle glanced at Maggie, who’d stopped eating and was watching their conversation. “Yeah, I’m okay. It’s been a little rough, but we’re working through it. The project helps—gives us something positive to focus on.”
    “That’s great. Keep me posted, okay? I’d love to come up and take a look some time.”
    “Sure thing. We haven’t started construction on the restaurant yet, just finishing up the plans and waiting on permits now.”
    “Sounds awesome. I can’t wait to see what you cook up.” He winked at Kyle. “Gotta get back to the kitchen. Don’t be a stranger. Maybe you can be my guest chef some night.”
    Kyle smiled at his old friend, a little surprised at how satisfying it felt to see someone he hadn’t spoken to in years—Facebook notwithstanding. He’d done such a thorough job of closing off his life here when he’d gone to Florida that he’d all but forgotten the good things he’d left behind. “That’d be fun.”
    “Pleasure to have met you, Maggie—see you later.” Andy retreated to the kitchen, and Kyle retook his seat.
    “Nice guy. Seems like you were maybe close?” she asked as Kyle poured more wine.
    “Once. Before I . . .” He shrugged. “Before.”
    “Before the gambling became a problem.” She cocked her head to the side, drawing his gaze to her dark hair, which he was seeing down for the first time. It was long, reaching to just past her shoulders, and curly, which he loved. He had an urge to thread his fingers through the locks and relish the texture. “You can tell me to mind my own business, but is that why you left Oregon? The gambling?”
    “Yeah. I’m surprised Alex didn’t tell you that.” Since he’d obviously known about Kyle’s gambling, which was news to Kyle.
    “Most of what he said about you was quite complimentary. He never mentioned your gambling.”
    Because no one knew about it, save Dad and Derek. Kyle yearned to ask for details but didn’t want to push, particularly given the ethics of it, and he knew she held her responsibility to her patients in high regard. He liked that, even if it had pissed him off at first. “Thanks for sharing that. Alex wrote each of us a letter, but we don’t get them until some predetermined time.”
    Her eyes widened. “Really? That must be hard, having to wait.”
    He shrugged. “I’m not as bothered by it as some, namely Tori.” Mom, Dad, Derek, and Sara had already received theirs. “I appreciate hearing that he had good things to say about me.”
    “He had a lot of nice things to say about all of you. Okay, except one person.” She looked down at her plate and scooped a bite of quinoa. “Never mind.”
    His curiosity was piqued, but he didn’t pursue the issue. Maybe she’d tell him in time. Did that mean he planned to see her again? He hoped so—regardless of how the drug investigation panned out. He liked her. She was smart, funny, and damn if she didn’t turn him on like crazy.
    “You never actually answered my question,” she said.