“I… didn’t know you were back,” she managed to say, her voice wavering.
Ryan offered a small smile, the kind that didn’t quite reach his hazel eyes. “Yeah, I moved back a few months ago. Work brought me here.”
“What kind of work?” she asked, curious despite the swirl of emotions his sudden appearance stirred in her.
“I’m a financial controller now,” he said, leaning casually against the counter. His leather jacket shifted, revealing a pressed shirt beneath, open at the collar. “I took a position with a company downtown. It’s been a lot of long hours, but it’s good to be back.”
Avery raised an eyebrow, struggling to reconcile this version of Ryan with the boy who had made her high school years so difficult. “That’s… impressive. I didn’t expect you to end up in finance.”
Ryan chuckled softly, his gaze steady. “Yeah, well, people grow up. I had a lot of growing up to do, especially after I left for Korea.”
She nodded, unsure of what to say. There was so much history between them, but this version of Ryan seemed almost like a stranger.
The air grew heavier as Ryan’s expression shifted, his confident demeanor softening into something more serious. “Avery,” he said, his voice low, “I wanted to say… I’m so sorry about Shawn. I saw the news. It must have been—”
“Don’t,” Avery interrupted, her voice tight. She looked away, the pain still too raw to discuss. “I can’t talk about it right now.”
Ryan nodded, respecting her boundaries. “I get it. I just… I wanted you to know I’m sorry. He seemed like a great guy. And I know how much he meant to you.”
Her throat tightened, but she swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “Thank you,” she said softly, her tone edged with vulnerability.
Ryan hesitated, then straightened, his confident smile returning. “If you ever need someone to talk to—or even just a distraction—I’m around.”
Avery tilted her head, studying him. Ryan Hayes was not someone she had expected to see again, much less someone offering support. She wasn’t sure how to feel about it, but there was a sincerity in his voice that was hard to ignore.
“Thanks,” she said cautiously.
Ryan smiled, a boyish charm peeking through his otherwise composed demeanor. “How about this: do you want to grab coffee sometime? My treat.”