A Date I Didn't Want

Ryder's POV

I froze with my hand still on the doorknob. I didn't know what to say or what to do... My head had completely gone blank, and the right excuses wouldn't form in my head.

"Ryder, what are you doing at my brother's door?" Lira began to come closer, but she didn't sound like she was suspecting me or even worried, just curious.

"It's complicated," I finally said, taking my hand off the doorknob and turning to her.

"What's complicated? Is anything wrong?" Now she was worried, and just like the universe was by my side, an idea popped in.

"It's, uh... about the wedding date," I stuttered, walking closer to her.

"What about it?" Her eyes were filled with concern.

I took hold of her hands and pressed them gently. "I learned this morning that our wedding was in the next seven days."

"Yeah, that's mess—"

"So I panicked," I cut her short. "I got nervous, so I went to my father and asked him to extend it to a month, which he agreed."

"Okay? So why are you entering my brother's room? You don't know where my—"

"I was on my way to your room, then I grew afraid of telling you. I didn't know if you were the one that gave the date, and I didn't want to make you feel that I don't like you any less. So I wanted to speak with your brother and hopefully, he would give me better ideas on how to share it with you."

It worked!

Lira's expression softened, and then she pulled me into a hug, rubbing her boobs on my chest. "That's very thoughtful of you."

"Is it? Seems like cowardice," I answered, pulling out softly from the hug.

"You were not afraid, you were concerned about how I might take the news, and that's empathy, and I admire it."

If only what she was saying were true.

"Thank you for not being mad with me." My lips pursed into a little smile.

"I can't even be mad with someone this gorgeous, even if I wanted to." Her cheeks flushed.

"Me? Gorgeous? Have you looked at yourself in a mirror?" I teased.

"Oh, please. Don't flatter me, Ryder."

"I'm not. You're beautiful."

"Thank you, my darling..." She blushed again. "Well, for what it's worth, I didn't tell the media that I wanted to marry you within seven days. I don't know how that speculated."

"Yeah, I think we have my father to blame. You don't seem like that kind of person," I said, hoping she didn't take offense.

"Right... Plus, I don't even know who you are, Ryder. I don't know your likes, dislikes, and you might even surprise me and turn out to be a murderer."

"What?" A huge laugh escaped my lips. "Do I give off such vibes?" I was still laughing.

"I don't know... There's no playbook, is there?" She joined me in the laughter.

Still with a smile on my lips, I removed a strand of her blonde hair from her face. "You're really beautiful, Lira. And your eyes, they're comforting."

I wasn't lying. Lira was indeed beautiful, and I meant everything I said, only that I didn't complete the sentence. I should have ended it with, But I'm not the right man for you...

"Thank you. You know what..." Her eyes lit up, and I knew she was about to do something crazy.

"What?" I smiled.

"Why don't you take me out on a date, and then you can compliment me all you want?" She winked.

"Just compliments? Thought you wanted to find out if I was a murderer."

"And who said we can't do both?" She wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Ohh... I don't know. Why didn't I think of that?" I said nervously.

"Because you're a shit—"

I leaned in and pressed my lips on hers for a kiss. Lira had the softest lips I had ever kissed, and the rhythm, it was perfect.

Did I feel anything? Yes. But was it compared to what I felt with her brother... Not even close.

"I see some people are in love, or is this fake?" Darian's voice broke out. Shit.

Lira and I stopped kissing, and I grew very nervous.

I shot Darian a hard glare, trying to understand what he was about to do. Was he going to out me? Why did he say that?

"Wow," Darian tilted his head slightly with that sly smirk of his, "You two looked cute. Why did you stop? Is it because I showed up? Wait, did I scare you?"

"What?" Lira laughed nervously, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Don't be silly, Darian. You only startled us."

He stepped closer, his eyes meeting mine and then back to his sister. "I heard you're getting married next week. Is that true?"

He stepped closer, his eyes shifting between us. "I heard you're getting married next week. Is that true?"

"Yeah… we were surprised too," I cut in. I couldn't tell where Darian was heading with this conversation, but I needed him to stop.

"More like shocked..." Lira added. "We don't even know each other. But that's why we're about to eat out. And I think you should come with us."

My heart jumped. What?

"No, no... I don't think that's a good idea." A deep furrow formed between his brows.

"Why?" Lira pressed.

"You're the one marrying him, not me."

"Oh, don’t be stubborn," she teased, tapping his arm. "Ryder and I will have loads of personal dates later, but today, I want us all to have a long talk. It won’t hurt to get to know each other better. You are his brother-in-law; shouldn't you guys bond or something?"

Then her bright eyes landed on me. "You don’t mind, do you, Ryder?"

"Of course not." I smiled, though I was burning inside. My heart raced, but I had to force myself to look calm.

"Yay!" She squealed and clapped her hands softly. "I'll be going to dress, and I think you both should do the same. So let's say twenty minutes?" She paused, stared at our faces, and then smiled. "Don't keep me waiting."

Lira spun on her heels and headed off to the stairs.

Darian and I stood at that spot longer, just staring at each other.

We didn't utter a word to each other, but everything was said in that look.

His gray eyes were sharper, questioning mine... while mine were defensive.

"Darian, I can—"

I opened my mouth to talk, but he stopped me halfway.

"Save it. I don't want to hear a thing. See you in twenty." He threw an ugly glare at me and went back into his room.

Shoot!