“Looks like we don’t have to wait much longer.” My dad is smiling a wide, unnaturally gleeful smile for the present circumstances. “He’s here.”
Like an old sitcom, the lot of us scramble to the window and peek out.
A strangled squeak bursts from my throat. Ryder’s black Range Rover pulls up behind Drake’s car. The very sight of him has my pulse racing. I’m one quivering stack of nerves when I wheel around and burst out the front door.
“Hey, Avie,” Drake starts.
I ignore him and sprint straight for Ryder. He opens his arms, ready to catch me when I jump on him. Legs locked around his waist, arms around his neck, I have him in a boa constrictor chokehold.
“You can’t disappear like that.”
“Sorry,” he whispers, kissing my neck. “I left my phone behind. I didn’t mean to freak you out.”
I swat his back, burying my face into the top of his shoulder. “You did.”
“I had to go think.”
“Better not have thought a word about what that jerkoff said.”
“Nope,” he says. His big palm slides up and down my spine in reassuring circles. “I went to think about you.”
“I don’t know if that’s sweet or scary.” I lift my head.
“Only good things, Tweets.” He gives me one of his sexy half grins. “I was thinking of you because you know what I realized?”
“What?” I press my brow against his.
“There is one opinion that matters to me. Yours.” Gently, Ryder sets me on the ground.
My forehead wrinkles. I rest my hands on his waist, my brow on his.
His fingers trace the line of my jaw. “You loved me without conditions from the first day I met you. I’m not good at expressing words.” He tilts my chin so I look at him. “But I love you. I love you so much. You are the light in the dark. You are the one who matters; you taught me how to let people in. When I saw that today, it didn’t make me wonder if I was worth anything. For the first time, Mitch’s words were blotted out by a snarky, bossy woman whose voice is always in my head.”
“I’m not snarky.”
“You can be.”
“Maybe a little.”
Ryder grins. “I’m not ever going to be worthy of you, Ava. But I plan to spend every day trying. Instead of pushing you away, I’m running to you now. Because I don’t want to go another day without knowing you’re mine. I decided I want a wedding. With you.”
“Great, which chapel? Vegas has plenty.”
“You think I’m joking.” With slow movements, Ryder unravels from my clutches.
My smile fades when Ryder leverages onto one knee. At my back, someone gasps. I’m guessing my mom.
“Ryder, what . . . Ryder—”
He kisses my palm. “I love hearing my name from your mouth, but are you good if I talk first? It’ll just take a second.”
I nod vigorously and drag my bottom lip between my teeth, afraid the ugly sobs will start any second. No one wants to sound like a dying hippo when a man is down on one knee.
“Ava,” His voice cracks. “I planned to do this ten years ago.”
“Better late than never.” Words are tumbling out against my will.
Ryder grins, his cheeks red. “True. But life had different plans. One thing never changed, you’re my every tomorrow. You always have been.”
