“Oh,” I murmur in surprise. That’s not exactly what I expected him to say. Ever since I ended things with Ryan, I stopped volunteering too. I didn’t want to do anything that reminded me of him, and since I’d been avoiding him, I didn’t want to go anywhere I’d run into him. I’ve really missed it. There’s nothing better for my soul than spending a few hours making an actual difference.
“He asked about you, actually. He was worried since he hasn’t seen you in a while. If you’re not busy, why don’t we go and help him out tonight? I was gonna go by myself, but since you’re off work now anyway… the more helping hands, the better.”
I study him for a moment, trying to assess if there’s more to his request, but he seems genuine. I have a hard time saying no to things in general, but saying no to charity work is near impossible. “Sure,” I end up saying. “I’m free tonight.”
He smiles at me and walks out of the elevator when we reach the garage. “I’ll see you there then. I just need to run home to get changed.”
I nod, and he rushes off, leaving me staring after him in confusion. He truly doesn’t seem to have any ulterior motives today. Have I been judging him too harshly?
I head straight to the beach, and just like Ryan said, it’s littered with plastics of all kind. Mitchel waves at me when he sees me.
“Alanna! It’s so good to see you, kid. I had to save a turtle from some plastic earlier today, and it’s got me even more eager to get this trash cleared out as soon as possible. How have you been? I was worried about you, but you seem good. You look healthy and happy.”
I smile at him as I take the tools he’s handing me. “I am. It’s good to see you too, Mitchel. I’m sorry I haven’t been in a while.”
He smiles at me and claps me on the back, but before he can say another word, someone shouts his name. “I hope that’s not another turtle,” he mutters. “I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”
I nod and wave him off, working in solitude for a while. I love volunteering at soup kitchens and doing charity walks, but there’s something about being on the beach, sand between my toes and a breeze dancing on my skin.
“You’ve got that same expression on your face,” Ryan says, and I look up to find him standing a few steps away. He walks toward me, his expression complicated. “You looked just like this when we first met. I don’t think I’ll ever get that image out of my mind.”
I grimace and look away, suddenly uncomfortable. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid. I don’t want to reminisce with him.
“How is it that we work in the same office and still don’t get to see each other?”
I purse my lips, unsure how to handle him. “It’s a big company,” I end up saying.
He nods and works quietly alongside me, the way we used to. Ryan and I were pretty good friends before we started dating, but I wonder if any of that was real. Would he truly have come here today if I hadn’t agreed to join?
“Are you okay, Alanna? You’re not usually this quiet. Is Silas overworking you?”
I look up, startled out of my thoughts. “No, not at all.”
Just hearing Silas’s name fills me with equal parts longing and guilt. What would happen to Ryan and Silas’s bond if he ever found out what I did? From what I understand, things are already strained between them, and this could be the final straw.
Ryan sighs and looks away. “Just tell me if he is. I know there’s nothing you can’t handle, but when it comes to my brother, I can definitely help. I’m worried he’s targeting you because of me.”
I instantly want to defend Silas, but I know no good will come of it. “He’s good to me, Ryan. He’s a fair boss, and he treats all of his employees well.”
Ryan stares at me, his expression pained. “Just be careful, okay? I know how charming my brother can be, and you’re spending so much time with him now. I saw a photo of you two in The Herald last week, and the way he looked at you didn’t sit well with me. I know employees of the ψ division often attend corporate events with him, but I don’t know… I don’t think you’d ever betray the love we shared in that way, but still. Silas can be hard to turn down. Just remember that he’s always got an ulterior motive, and there’s only one girl he’s ever truly loved. Ray.”
I look up in surprise, the name sounding oddly familiar. “Who is Ray?” I ask, my heart squeezing painfully.