The Stalked Assistant (Chapter-28)

I sit there at my kitchen counter staring down at my phone for a few seconds, lost in thought and fear until I hear Amanda saying 

"Finally. I got it open. I have been buying this same wine for years and never had so much trouble opening up a dang bottle." She huffed out as she walks back towards her seat next to me and begins pouring wine into both of our glasses.

"What's wrong? You look like you're going to be sick. Too much wine? Do you not want another glass?" She asked as her face, started to look worried.

Hell.

What I'm about to say I'm definitely going to need another glass, maybe 5.

Before I can open my mouth and get the words out, my phone dings again and my heart literally skipped a beat. It can't be unknown again, he usually gives me time to get this shit done, I try to tighten my hands so that Amanda doesn't see them shaking and I pick up my phone from the counter.

My eyes quickly scanning the screen, making sure it's nothing concerning my parents and I let out a slow steady breath as I see its Ryder.

Thank goodness. I can't take much more from Unknown tonight.

Clicking on his name, the message pops up.

Ryder- Someone is headed over right now to change your door locks. His name is Sam. He actually does security for the company. 

Thank God.

"Ryders, sending over someone to change the locks. He's on his way." I tell Amanda, as I type Ryder back.

"Thank goodness. I was a bit worried about being tipsy without them locks changed" Amanda says.

Me- Okay great. Thank you.

Ryder- Is Amanda there yet?

Me- Yes. We are drinking Wine. Don't worry, we won't be drunk for work tomorrow.

Ryder- How much have you had to drink so far?

Ryder- 👀

Did he just send a freaking emoji?

Why in the heck do I think that's so cute coming from him?

I may need to stop drinking.

Me- We on our second bottle.

Me- 👀

Oh god. I practically toss my phone down onto the counter like it's on fire and turn to Amanda who's googling something and sipping slowly on her wine.

Now is the best time to do it.

I just need to spit the words out and she will react however she reacts.

Thank God we decided to drink tonight, or I may not have the balls to actually spit this out.

"I think I may need to tell you something" I whisper out, nerves clawing their way inside me.

"What? I didn't hear you. Sorry I was reading something" she giggled but placed her phone down and turned her body towards me giving me her full attention.

"I need to tell you something" I say louder, wishing we were both a little drunker than we are, then maybe she wouldn't remember it in the morning.

"What is it girl?" She asked.

I'm sitting here hesitant about telling her, what if she says something that's going to ruin our friendship? I mean, I know people are allowed their own opinions, but what if she doesn't agree or what if she doesn't like it? 

"You can tell me anything. Come on." She says reaching her hand out, placing her hand over the on top of the counter giving it a little squeeze. "What is it?"

"I think I may have a little feeling for Ryder" I whispered softly before bringing my other hand to my glass of wine and downing the contents.

Ah, that tasted good. 

Maybe I should pour me another glass, it wouldn't hurt, that way maybe we both will get past drunk, and both forget the conversation we are about to have.

"Oh, really?" She asked, a smirk starts to play on her lips. "I know" 

Wait.

What? She does?

"You-you do? How?" I stuttered out.

I couldn't have been that obvious about it, not when I was arguing with myself inside my head to not look like a fool.

She doesn't say anything for a moment, instead that smirk is still plastered on her face, and she pours us another glass of wine.

Good lord. She is trying to pry more information out of me, I just freaking know it. I groan inside my head while she makes me wait for her to answer my question.

"I could just tell, when you think nobody's looking at you, you're looking at him. I can just tell. The face you made when you came out of his office after finding him with Ginger. I just knew. I wasn't going to say anything until you told me." She shrugs, like it's not a big deal. "And for what it's worth, I think he likes you too."

"Wait. Do you?" I jerk my face towards her, I had been staring hard into my wine glass as she poured more wine into it.

"Of course. Did you not see how pissed off he got at the cop this morning? He was fixing to lose his mind and it wasn't just because you were his employee, no he was going to lose his mind because you were scared, and the cop was acting like an ass." 

She stares at me, and I stare at her not knowing what to say back to that. He likes me. 

I think he does. Oh my god.

How could I have not seen it, has been showing me small, tiny signs but I have been dismissing them because I thought I wasn't good enough for him to see me that way, but he does.

At least I think so.

I hope so.

His having my door locks changed.

He hauled his ass to me this morning because he knew I was scared.

That night of Amanda's parents' anniversary party when he joined me outside, he grabbed my hand and wouldn't let it go. 

I think it kinda looked like he wanted to kiss me.

He defended it against Ginger and her father knowing he had been working on the deal for months and I know he said it wasn't all for me, he defended me against them.

Holy hell.

Maybe he does have little feelings towards me too.

"You should talk to him about it, and why did you look so worried to tell me?" Amanda finally asked, breaking me out of those happy thoughts.

"I was scared" I mumbled now realizing that I shouldn't have been scared at all, I should have known I could talk with Amanda. I feel horrible for assuming she wouldn't think it was okay or that I was not good enough for Ryder. "Scared, you wouldn't think I was enough. You know I'm a country girl and Ryders, well, Ryder."

"Scared? You shouldn't have been and I'm a bit offended that you were. You're my friend, so is he. You shouldn't be scared to tell me anything. I have your back, and I think that it would be a good thing that yall got together. He is always so serious maybe you can get him to have some fun." She rushes out, looking at me like I'm crazy for even thinking I couldn't tell her. " Don't worry, don't. I forgive you for not telling me sooner."

"I just really realized it. I didn't have a crush on him from the beginning, it just I don't know slowly developed into more." I shrugged, but inside I'm happy-go-lucky because she didn't react the way I thought she would.

"Talk to him" she says before taking a sip of her wine and I take a big sip.

Huge sip.

I don't know if I'm actually ready for that.