From Lies To Love

Chapter 4

Emily stood outside Ryan Blackwood’s office, heart pounding.

The takeout bag in her hand felt ridiculous now.

Why was she even here?

She had spent the entire morning trying to ignore the fact that Ryan had called just to check if she’d eaten. That was not normal. That was not him.

And yet, here she was. Standing outside his office like a fool, debating whether to walk in or turn around before she made a mistake.

Her fingers tightened around the bag.

It’s just lunch, Emily. No big deal.

Except it was.

Because nothing with Ryan Blackwood had ever been simple.

She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and finally pushed the door open.

Ryan sat behind his desk, reviewing a document, his sharp blue eyes flicking up the second she entered.

Something flickered across his face surprise? Amusement?

"Emily," he said smoothly, setting his pen down. "Didn’t expect to see you here."

She shut the door behind her, marching forward and slamming the bag of food onto his desk. "I figured I owed you lunch since you bought me one."

His lips twitched. "How thoughtful."

She crossed her arms, suddenly very aware of the tension in the air.

Ryan studied her like he was waiting for something.

And before she could stop herself, the words were out

"Why are you being nice to me?"

His brows lifted slightly. "I thought we already had this conversation."

"Not really," she countered. "You deflected. And I’m tired of being played with, Ryan."

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "So, you think this is a game?"

"Isn’t it?" she snapped. "You were a nightmare when I worked for you. You pushed me harder than anyone else, you barely acknowledged me outside of work, and now you’re what? Checking in on me? Buying me lunch? Looking at me like"

She stopped herself just in time, face burning.

Ryan’s gaze darkened. "Like what, Emily?"

She clenched her fists. "Like I mean something to you."

Silence.

A charged, suffocating silence.

Then, Ryan slowly stood from his chair.

He didn’t move around the desk. He didn’t close the space between them.

But he didn’t have to.

His presence alone was too much.

"You think I didn’t notice you back then?" His voice was lower now, rougher. "That I didn’t pay attention?"

Emily swallowed, trying to ignore the way her pulse jumped. "You had a funny way of showing it."

Ryan exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "You have no idea, do you?"

She frowned. "What?"

"How much you got to me."

Her breath caught.

Ryan’s fingers tapped against the desk like he was holding himself back from doing something reckless.

"You were the only one who ever challenged me," he admitted. "The only one who didn’t back down, who pushed back no matter how much pressure I put on you."

Emily’s chest tightened.

"You think I was just being cruel?" Ryan went on, voice dangerously quiet now. "I was trying to keep my damn distance, Emily."

Her heart slammed against her ribs. "That’s a pathetic excuse."

His lips curved slightly. "Maybe. But it’s the truth."

Something in his eyes made her believe him.

Made her want to believe him.

And that was exactly why she needed to leave.

She stepped back, shaking her head. "No. You don’t get to do this."

Ryan’s expression hardened. "Do what?"

"Mess with my head," she snapped. "Make me question everything."

"Emily"

"No," she said firmly. "You don’t get to act like this after all those years of pushing me away. You don’t get to tell me now that you were struggling to resist me or whatever bullshit you’re trying to sell."

Ryan’s jaw tightened. "It’s not bullshit."

"Well, it’s too damn late," she hissed.

And before he could say another word, she turned on her heel and stormed out.

Emily barely made it through her front door before she collapsed onto the couch, groaning into a pillow.

Her entire body was on fire not from anger, not entirely but from the unbearable tension that had thickened the air in Ryan’s office.

He had looked at her like he was starving.

And worse?

She had wanted it.

"Ugh," she muttered, rolling onto her back and staring at the ceiling.

This was a disaster.

She had stormed into his office thinking she could get some clarity, but instead, she’d walked away more confused than ever.

And just when she thought she might get a moment to breathe

Her phone rang.

Emily groaned again, grabbing it off the coffee table.

Her mom’s name flashed across the screen.

Oh, great.

Bracing herself, she answered. "Hey, Mom."

"Emily!" her mother chirped, far too cheerful. "I was just thinking about you."

Emily closed her eyes, already sensing where this was going. "Uh-huh. And what exactly were you thinking?"

"That it’s been weeks since you mentioned your boyfriend," her mom said pointedly. "When are you bringing him over for dinner?"

Emily nearly choked.

Ryan. Dinner. At her parents' house?

Nope. No way.

"Uh, we’ve been busy," she hedged.

Her mother hummed. "Too busy to visit your own family?"

Emily winced.

She should have seen this coming. The moment she agreed to Ryan’s ridiculous plan, she knew it would lead to something like this.

Still, she tried to stall. "Mom, you know how work is. Ryan’s really"

"Ryan?" Her mother perked up instantly. "You’re on a first-name basis now?"

Emily cursed under her breath. "I yeah, obviously, since we’re dating."

Her mom gasped. "Oh, my goodness! I knew it! I knew this was serious!"

"Mom, it’s"

"That settles it!" she cut in. "I want to meet him. This weekend. No excuses!"

Emily’s stomach dropped.

This was bad.

"Mom"

"You’re the one who said you didn’t want me setting you up on any more dates," her mother reminded her. "And since you have a perfectly good boyfriend, I don’t need to anymore. But I do need to meet him."

Emily pinched the bridge of her nose, her mind racing.

If she said no, her mother would never let it go.

If she said yes…

She would have to ask Ryan to go along with this.

And after their heated argument today? That was the last thing she wanted to do.

"Fine," she muttered.

"Wonderful!" Her mom beamed through the phone. "Saturday at seven. Don’t be late!"

Emily barely had time to respond before the call ended.

She groaned loudly, throwing her phone onto the couch.

Saturday. Ryan. Dinner.

This could only end in disaster.