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And if I’d had any doubt she was referring to me, she added, “Let’s just say, your question is very timely tonight.”
I couldn’t let her go on another second thinking she was about to lose me. I needed her to know how much I loved her, how much she had me.
I typed frantically.I love you so much, Eden. I’m so sorry I haven’t said those words before tonight, but I’ve felt it for a very long time. You’re my person. And you’re not going to lose me—not for any job, not for any other woman, not for anything in this world. You are a gift from God who came into my life just when I needed you most. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much I cherish you. Please forgive me for taking so long to realize that I cannot live without you.When she finally noticed the comment, the look on Eden’s face wasn’t what I’d been hoping for. It was an expression of shock…confusion…maybe disgust?
Then it hit me.
Fuck.
Fuck!
Fuck!
I’d just professed my love for her logged in as AssLover433! She had no way of knowing it was me—probably thought I was a whack-job stalker.
Nice, Ryder.
Nice!
I rubbed my hands over my face. Okay, think.
I typed.Eden, it’s Ryder. Please don’t hate me, but I created this account so I could watch you without you getting nervous about it. It’s me—been me all along, fucking with you from this account. (Was gonna tell you about it eventually so we could have a laugh. Never got around to it. Whoops!) I got a little ahead of myself and forgot I wasn’t logged in as ScreenGod just now. I’m losing my mind because I needed to tell you how much I love you before you spent another second thinking we were in trouble. I know why you were worried. And you were wrong, Eden. It’s not her. It’s you. It’s always been you. I love you. I meant every word I just said. I love you so much. So fucking much, baby. You have no idea.I immediately purchased a thousand coins and dumped them into the pot to request a private chat.
Eden’s hands were shaking as she covered her mouth.
Her voice trembled. “I’ll be right back, everyone.”CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT* * *EDENWhat the what?
I couldn’t switch over to the private chat room fast enough. My entire body was trembling.
When Ryder’s gorgeous face lit up my screen, the look in his eyes matched the beautiful sentiments he’d just typed.
I couldn’t wait to say the words. “I love you, too. Oh my God, Ryder. I love you so much.”
“I love you,” he said again. “I love you. I love you. I love you. I’ll never be able to say it enough.”
“Say it again.”
His eyes were glistening. “I love you, Eden Shortsleeve.”
I wiped tears from my eyes. “You really shocked me tonight.”
“Mallory told me what she said to you at the wake, and now I realize that’s what’s been bothering you. You’ve been holding your breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I also realize now that you had no reason to have confidence in me, because I never gave you a solid reason to believe in my feelings for you.”
I had to know. “What happened with her tonight?”
“She came by and told me she wanted me back, that she loved me—everything you were expecting. I felt almost nothing while she was pouring her soul out to me. I was numb, and that’s because every inch of my heart is filled with you. It’s been slowly filling up from the moment I laid eyes on you.”
I started to cry harder.
“Are you okay?”
I sniffled. “Yes. I’m just really happy.”
“I know your mind is probably going a mile a minute, still wondering how we’re gonna make this work. But we will make this work. When something is worth fighting for, you don’t wait around to figure out logistics. You say yes, you accept the gift you’ve been given, and you figure out the rest later, because life is too damn short to be unhappy.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying, fuck the job, fuck everything else—I want to be with you. That’s my priority. And I want to be a part of Ollie’s life, too. Not just from a distance, but every day. And not just as a friend but as family. Because that’s how I feel about you—both of you. You’re my family, the only family I have.”
I wiped my eyes again, overwhelmed with emotion. Then I started to laugh as the reality of what he was saying set in. “What? You’re gonna move into my tiny house?”
“Yeah, maybe. Fuck it. That’s for the three of us to figure out. It won’t happen overnight. But in the meantime, I’ll come visit more often, and the goal will be deciding where we’ll settle, whether that’s L.A. or St. George. Maybe both. I know you don’t want Ollie to leave his school. We’ll figure it out, even if I have to commute every weekend for a while or indefinitely—that would be worth it. There is nothing that matters more to me than you, Eden. Nothing.”
