Page 157 of The Right Move

“You deserve the grand gestures, the big moments. I’m not great at making a show. I don’t like the attention, but if that’s what you need to understand how much I want you in my life, I’ll do it. Fuck, I should’ve done this in front of a crowd or standing in the rain or something romantic instead of hiding away and saying it. God…” I chuckle without humor. “I’m telling you you’re the best thing to ever come into my life while hiding in a random room with terrible carpet and shitty wallpaper—”

“Ryan!”

I swallow. “Yeah?”

Her lips lift, a smile overtaking her face. “I never thought I’d say this, but you can stop talking now.”

A small chuckle rumbles in my chest as she closes the space between us. Hand wrapping around my neck, she pulls my eyes to meet hers.

“You didn’t have to say anything. I already know. And I’m the talker in this relationship, in case you forgot, but today, I only have three words I need to say.”

She leans up on her tiptoes, her mouth level to mine as she whispers the loudest words I’ve ever heard.

“I love you.”

Her brown eyes bounce between mine. “If you would’ve answered a single one of my calls this week, I could’ve told you exactly what I told Alex. My home, my heart, all of it, is with you. There was never a moment of doubt for me, Ryan. The only reason you heard me crying on the phone after that conversation is because I finally felt free, and more than that, I felt clarity. I don’t want you to change. I don’t need you to shout from rooftops or show me off. I just need your quiet love because those moments are the loudest declarations I’ve ever heard. I want you for exactly who you are. I’m in love with you, Ryan Shay, and I don’t need the entire world to know that for it to be true.”

A sharp exhale of relief shudders through me, but besides that, I’m stunned silent.

In all these weeks, I had convinced myself it would take Indy time to get on the same wavelength to feel about me as I do her. I never thought she’d be the one to admit it first. I had intended to stay quiet, continuing to love her through my actions until I was certain the admission wouldn’t scare her off, but here she is, my romantic girl, sweeping me off my feet.

Nervousness washes over her from my silence as she leans back on her heels.

Her throat works a swallow. “I know I said I like your quietness, but now would be a good time to say something.”

I chuckle. My confident girl, vulnerable and nervous.

Pushing her hair behind her ears, I cup her cheeks and ensure her focus is on me. “I’m glad you finally got on my page.”

A smile slides across her mouth.

“I’m sorry someone let you believe you were hard to love, because, Blue, it’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done.” I shake my head. “God, I love you. I think in a way, I’ve loved you since our first breakfast together. You brought me back to life, Ind, and I will love you as long as you’ll let me.”

“Promise?”

Pulling her in, I take her lips with mine. “I’ll even add it to the fridge.”

Indy has tried to stay by my side during the reception, but almost anytime we’re alone, the bride decides she needs her.

She and I start dancing, Maggie needs help with her dress.

She takes a seat on my lap for cake cutting, Maggie needs her help to reapply her makeup.

We also weren’t seated together for dinner, but that didn’t stop us from eye-fucking the hell out of each other from across the room even while she shared a table with her ex.

The drastic measures her friends have taken to get the two of them back together is laughable. It would’ve started a pit of jealousy in me before today. But today, Indy loves me.

She loves me.

I need this wedding to be over so I can take her home. Indy is over it, that much is clear. I can see the visible shift she’s taken from separating who she is now from her previous life. I guess I should be thanking Alex for that. If he hadn't given her that closure, I’m not sure how long it would’ve taken my girl to fully move on.

Her friends are so busy keeping her occupied and away from me, as if we don’t live together, that I have plenty of time to thank him in person.

“I’ll have what he’s having,” I tell the bartender, leaning my elbows on the bar top.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Alex whines next to me.

A couple of his buddies are on his other side, slack jaws.

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