Page 117 of All I Feel

And I’d brought Ryan’s sweatshirt with me to give back to him. He’d told me I could keep it, but I insisted it was no longer mine.

Still holding his hand, I said, “You and I weren’t meant to be, but I’ll always be grateful for what you did to protect me a week ago. I’m so sorry you were hurt, and although I know she meant something to you at some point, I hope Georgia gets the punishment she deserves. Because no matter how upset I was with you for your betrayal, you don’t deserve to have someone like that destroying your life.”

For now, Georgia and her accomplice were being held in prison until trial. They’d both racked up a slew of charges, and from what we’d been told, it appeared they’d be lookingat some jail time. Being the mastermind behind it—and the one who ultimately pulled the trigger—Georgia was facing far worse charges and would likely receive more jail time than her accomplice.

Ryan squeezed my hand, appreciation leaking onto his features. “I hope you know it was the truth.”

“What?”

“When I said you were the best thing that happened to me. I meant it.”

I smiled, squeezed his hand back, and released it. “I know you think that now. But you’ll feel differently when you meet the woman who’s right for you.”

“Let’s hope that woman wasn’t you, or I’m going to be screwed,” he teased.

I let out a soft laugh. “Trust me, I’m not that woman. But I believe she’s out there, and I hope you find her. Despite everything, Ryan, I want you to be happy, too.”

“I appreciate that, Tessa. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, and I’m truly sorry for what I did to you. But I’m grateful for your compassion.”

One half of my mouth quirked. “Well, you did take a bullet for me, so I figure it’s the least I can do.”

His eyes roamed over my face, and I could see the regret in his stare. Me continuing to be here wasn’t going to help him.

So, I said, “Well, I should get going. I’m so glad you’re on the mend.”

He nodded. “Thanks. And thanks for visiting. It means a lot to me.”

I smiled. “You’re welcome. Take care of yourself, Ryan.”

“You, too. Goodbye, Tessa.”

“Bye.”

I walked out of the room, looked to my right, and met the shining eyes of the man who had my heart.

“All good?” he asked.

I’d been surprised when we showed up that he was willing to give me the time to talk to Ryan alone. Of course, I suspected he could hear everything we said being just outside the door, but it was nice of him to give Ryan the opportunity to talk to me without my boyfriend in the room.

“All good,” I said.

Ace and I walked down the hall and toward the elevator, my hand in his. “Hungry?”

“Starved.” I pressed the button to call the elevator. “What do you want me to make for dinner?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

He shook his head just as the door opened. We stepped onto the elevator, where I pushed the button for the main level, and the doors shut. “I was thinking I’d like to take you to First Tracks.”

“You want to go to the diner?”

Ace shrugged, his lips twitching. “I thought you might enjoy a Belgian waffle with loads of syrup and powdered sugar.”

I licked my lips. “That sounds amazing.”

My guy released my hand, but only so he could throw his arm over my shoulder and curl me into his body. He kissed me until the elevator doors opened.