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“Gabe?” Ryan calls out.
“In here.”
“Who's pants-less now?” She laughs as she walks in, sees me in boxers and a t-shirt, and sets her things down at the foot of my bed.
Chuckling, I wiggle my fingers for her to come over. “Help me with my shirt, please.” Ryan carefully helps me remove my shirt, her eyes traveling over my body. “Miss me?”
Her eyes snap up to mine. “So much.” Ryan rests her forehead over my heart as she wraps her arms tightly around me like I might disappear at any second.
With my hand on the back of her neck, I softly say, “Hey, what's the matter?”
“Nothing,” she answers, her warm breath hitting my skin. “I was pissy with your mom when she came to my door. Then she told me you were hurt, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. You scared me to death, Gabe. It could have been so much worse and then I wouldn't have ever told you I loved you because I was too damn stubborn to answer your calls. I just-”
I move my hand to her chin, a tear falling onto my hand. “Look at me,” I interrupt. Ryan lifts her head, and my thumb wipes away her tear-streaked cheeks. “I'm okay, Ryan.” Cupping her cheek as she leans her head into it, I add, “I'm right here with you. I'm fine, so don't worry about the 'what could have been'. Besides, I already knew you loved me. All I was worried about was making sure you knew I loved you too.”
Ryan frowns. “How did you know? I never told you, unless...” Her eyes widen. “You heard me? You've known all this time?” She doesn't sound angry, but she does seem a bit upset.
Nodding, I explain. “I was nearly asleep, but when you started talking, it woke me up. I'm sorry. It wasn't until you left me that I realized exactly how I felt about you. You not knowing killed me as much as you ignoring me. I didn't want to be just another person in your life who has let you down. You deserved better than that, and I wanted to make sure I could be what you deserved, someone worthy of you.”
Another tear falls, and I swipe it away, waiting for her to speak. “I love you, Gabe.” It seems like she can't find more words than that. Ryan smiles and adds, “I brought dinner. We should go eat before it gets cold. And just so you know, I expect a kiss every time I do something to take care of you.” Ryan smiles.
“Oh yeah? I may end up being a little helpless then.” She gives me one of her sexy laughs that I've missed so much. “Thank you for being here,” I add.
“There's nowhere else I'd rather be.” Ryan tilts her head, watching me for a moment. I wait to see if she's going to say something else. “You owe me a kiss, Officer.”
Without waiting even a second longer, I lean forward to press my lips against hers. That happy sigh comes immediately as I part her lips, slowly exploring her mouth as if I've never been there before. It's as passionate and heady as before, but this time it's infused with care and love. Ryan digs her fingers into my hair, nibbles on my lower lip, before deepening our kiss one more time.
When I pull away, my favorite sight is before me. Ryan's eyes are closed as she tries to savor what she felt for a few more moments. Her eyes open, and I grin.
“Let's go eat.”
We go to my kitchen and while Ryan is taking the burgers out of the bag from the fast food restaurant, a hint of a red heart tattoo can be seen through her thin white shirt. I reach out and run my fingers over the spot. Ryan stops, looks down at my hand, and then back to me.
“Why did you get this? All your tats mean something to you, but you never said anything other than you found it online and loved how it looked.” The more I think about it, th
e more curious I am. Ryan doesn't just get inked. There's always a meaning with each one, but I don't know what this heart means.
“I know I told you that if you were to get one, I didn't want you to get anything related to me because it should mean something to you, but you were a reason I got it and you do mean something to me.” I still don't understand, but Ryan continues in a ramble, something I've undoubtedly missed. “When I saw the heart, I was feeling vulnerable over you, and all I could think about was love. Love this and love that. It was annoying as hell, Gabe.
“But I needed this heart. At first, I thought it was because I needed a pretty and perfect heart next to my own not so pretty, not so perfect heart. Now though, I think I wanted it because I love you. You are the one person who I can tell anything to without worrying about expectations and even if it scared me, I could put my heart out there for you to see because I knew you would take care of it. It's a symbol of how I am with and because of you,” she finishes.
I smile. “You were always that way, Ryan. You just didn't know it yet.”
Epilogue
Ryan
Three Months Later...
I took care of Gabe, just as I said I would, until he was completely healthy again. He kissed me every time I helped him and even when I refused. He started asking for ridiculous or impossible things, cracking me up with his creativity, and every time I said no, he kissed me. It kind of sucked when he got better and didn't need me there as an excuse to help anymore. I stayed with him the entire time and with him healthy, I went back to staying at my apartment.
My parents and I remain at a standstill, but that's okay. I've started working at a convenience store with an awesome boss who works with me being in school. Earning my own money and spending that is such an awesome feeling. I try to spend my parents' money instead of my own. This way I can save it for whatever I do after college, and I can officially stop being dependent on my parents.
When I'm not working or in class, I find time to spend with Gabe. We've visited three more museums and a few galleries. I've been shooting with them too, and Gramps has become my biggest fan. Larry, Gabe's father, has even given me pointers on how to shoot better when Gabe was talking to one of the guys. Owen still harmlessly flirts here and there, which really irritates Gabe. Turns out he's a bit possessive over me, even with his own baby brother. It cracks me up sometimes. Owen has found a confidant in me, texting me with questions about girls. It's sweet that he thinks I give good advice.
Best of all, his mother loves me. We've had lunch together a few times, which she insisted upon. She wanted to know me like her son does. Camilla is almost a mother figure to me now. It's kind of weird if I think about too much, so I don't. His entire family has become family, really. They've accepted me as one of them, and that has been a wonderful experience.
“Are you coming or not, Ryan?” Gabe calls from my bathroom where he's waiting for me in our bubble bath.
