Page 80 of Selfless

I enter the open kitchen and just happen to look out the windows. I smile when I see him standing outside on the beach.

I take my wedges off and make my way out the back door. I take a deep breath as I smell the ocean and the fresh air. I can see the waves rolling and hear them crashing into the shore.

“Ryder?” I ask as the wind blows my dress around. I try to hold my hair, afraid the wind will mess it up.

He turns around and smiles when he sees me. “I didn’t know how much longer you would be,” he says as he reaches his hand out to mine. He wears a pair of black slacks and a dark purple button up with a black skinny tie. His sleeves rolled up and his hair is spiked to perfection like always.

“I’m ready if we need to go,” I tell him as I slip my hand in his. He looks around as if he’s looking for someone. “Who are you looking for?”

“No one.” His eyes are back on mine as a smile spreads across his face. “I have a gift for you.”

I frown. “You know how I feel about gifts.”

He chuckles. “I couldn’t help myself, sweetheart.” He digs into his pocket and pulls out an oversized square Tiffany box.

“Ryder …” I say in warning even though my heart beats wildly in my chest. The box is too big to be a bracelet or a ring. Not that I expect a ring. Or anything for that matter.

“Open it,” he orders softly.

I take it from him and take a deep breath before pushing it open. I gasp, placing my right hand over my mouth when I see what’s inside. “Ryder,” I breathe as the sun hits the gorgeous diamond and makes it sparkle.

“Do you like it?” he asks.

My eyes meet his, and he stares at me nervously. “Do I like it?” I ask as tears start to fill my eyes. “I love it,” I say, lowering my hand from my mouth and running my finger over the large heart-shaped diamond that sits on a silver chain. “It’s absolutely gorgeous.”

“May I?” he asks, gesturing to the box.

“Please,” I say, nodding my head, my throat closing at this beautiful and thoughtful gift. I turn, giving him my back, and pull my hair up as he fastens it.

I turn around to face him. “Perfect,” he whispers, looking down at it, and then his eyes meet mine. “Just like you.”

I look at him through watery eyes. “Thank you,” I say softly.

He cups my cheek. “You’re very welcome, gorgeous.”

“I love it,” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat. Why does he do this to me? “But you shouldn’t have,” I can’t help but say. He’s already done so much for me.

I let out a shaky breath. He leans in and kisses my forehead. “Let’s get going.”

**

We pull up to another mansion that is right on the beach about five miles from where we’re staying. And we get out of the car as the valet gets in and drives it off. Ryder takes my hand, and I watch him smile and make small talk with people I’ve never seen before as we walk down a long hallway. He catches me staring and gives me a wink then goes back to his conversation with a gray-haired old man. And I think how did we get here? Almost two months ago, we were complete strangers ready to jump each other for a one-night stand, and now here we are. I can’t help but imagine a future with him. I see us laughing while we roll around in bed. I see him rubbing my belly as he speaks to our unborn child, and I see us sitting on a rocking chair watching the waves crash on the beach. It terrifies me as much as it excites me.

He brings me to a stop in front of a white door. He knocks on it. “Knock, knock,” he says, not even bothering to wait for someone to answer it.

We enter, and I see a woman sitting on a white loveseat in a white wedding dress. She sees him, and her eyes light up with surprise. “Ry,” she says, jumping to her feet. Her black hair is up in a pretty updo, and her makeup is flawless. She has soft brown eyes and is smaller than I am, very petite.

He lets go of my hand and walks over to her. He pulls her in for a big hug, and I watch her smile and then sniff. “What are you doing here?” she asks, pulling away.

“You thought I would miss this day?”

“You never RSVP’d,” she says, placing her hands on her hips.

He scratches the back of his neck. “Well, here I am.” He looks over his shoulder and raises his hand. “Sweetheart,” he says to me as he gestures for me to take his hand again.

I walk over to him and take it. “Melissa, this is Ashlyn. My girlfriend.”

I can’t help the smile that I wear. It’s brighter than the woman who is about to get married.

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