Not What I Expected

Part 12

"Actually, I don't have any patients now until 3:30," Beth replied, "Is everything ok?"

"I don't know," Ryan replied, "Look...We are in a bit of a recess right now at the courthouse, probably until about 3:30 as well. Do you think you could meet me for coffee in the next half hour or so?"

"Absolutely," Beth answered, curious about what he had to talk to her about, "I'll meet you at the Starbucks on the corner of Granville and Robson Street in 30 minutes."

"Sounds great," Ryan replied, "See you then."

Beth hung up her phone and put it on the table and stared out the window. She had no idea what to expect when she met up with him, but if it wasn't something important, Ryan wouldn't have called her.

"Hey," Nicole said as she walked into the lunch room, scaring Beth from her thoughts, "What's going on in that mind of yours? It looks like you have a lot going on in there."

"Yeah...I'm not really sure," Beth replied, not wanting to tell her about her phone call and meeting with Ryan just yet, "I have a meeting to get to, but I should be back in a couple hours. I will definitely be back for my next appointment though. Did you want anything?"

"No thanks, I'm good," Nicole replied with a small smile, "Beth...are you ok? You seem off."

Beth wished that she could tell Nicole what was up, but until she knew the answer she didn't think it was fair to make Nicole worry unnecessarily. She smiled at Nicole, hoping that Nicole wouldn't press her any further for answers.

"I'm just fine Nic," Beth replied as convincingly as she could, "I will fill you in later tonight if I find out anything. Come over for dinner?"

"Absolutely," Nicole replied sweetly, "I just have to go to my parents and pick up Hudson, but I should be there around 6:00."

"Perfect," Beth stated as she stood up and put her untouched food back in the fridge, "I'll see you then."

Beth quickly hugged Nicole before grabbing her bag and making a hasty exit. She didn't want to be late meeting Ryan. The curiosity of why he wanted to meet her was killing her.

Beth and Ryan arrived at the Starbucks at the same time a little while later. Ryan smiled at Beth and gave her a quick hug before he opened the door and held it open for her.

"After you," Ryan said nicely.

"Thank you," Beth replied as they both made their way to the counter to make their orders, "I'll have a venti Americano please."

"Make that two," Ryan said to the barista, "This one's on me."

Beth and Ryan waited for their coffees and then found a table at the back of the shop and sat down. They both sat there quietly for a moment before Ryan started.

"Thanks for meeting me on such short notice," Ryan stated clearly unsure of where to start, "I don't know how to approach this situation. I saw something today that was very unsettling and, to be honest, put me in a rage. But I wanted to talk to you first."

"What's going on?" Beth asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I saw Chad today...being dropped off at the courthouse by your sister," Ryan stated uneasily, "And the kiss they shared was pretty damn intense if you ask me."

Beth's heart sank at the information that Ryan had just shared with her. She knew that Chad and Anna were seeing each other again, but the fact that they were so public about their relationship truly disturbed her. Beth took a deep breath and looked down at her hands, unsure of what to say next.