Page 96 of The Bodyguard

“RYDER,” I EXCLAIM, taking in the rose petals on the ground leading to the hot tub, which is bubbling away.

The cake is two tiers and on top it says “Congratulations Golden Globe nominee.” Max leaps up and tries to lick the cream cheese topping and we both swat him away, laughing.

No one has ever done anything like this for me.

I glance around and, as the sun is dipping in the sky, the fairy lights begin to sparkle, making the setting look romantic and special.

Like I’m special.

Not to millions of people...just to one.

“This is as close to what I promised you in NYC as I could get,” Ryder says, handing me a glass of the gold bubbles. “Just no Cheetos.”

I place the beautiful flowers down and swallow back my tears. I’m so overwhelmed I’m struggling to take it all in.

“I don’t have my bikini.”

“Part of my plan.” He smirks.

“Of course it is.” I giggle, then we undress and climb into the hot tub and sit grinning at one another.

“I can’t believe you did all this.” I take the champagne glass from him again.

He holds his up in a toast. “To one of this year’s Golden Globe best actress nominees. And to many more.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, and tears prick my eyes as our glasses clink.

“Now you can cry,” Ryder says.

So I do.

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RYDER

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HOW FUCKING NEGLECTFUL have her friends and family been?

Their loss. My gain.

If I could keep her.

Which I can’t.

This weekend I’m going to show Savannah just how special she is. Not because she is a movie star. Because she’s a beautiful person inside and out and deserves to have people celebrating her.

Tears fall down her face and I want to get in my car and drive to her parents’ houses and shoot the fuckers.

“No one has ever done anything like this for me, Ryder. This is...”

“Crazy?”

“Amazing.” Savannah shakes her head, taking in the fairy lights and playing with a rose petal on the edge of the hot tub.

Honestly, if those fucking things get in the filter it’s going to be an absolute nightmare to sort. But I knew she’d love it.

I stand up and reach for the pieces of cake I sliced, and hand one to her as I splash back down in the water.

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