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"Did you see anything you want?" he asks.

"No, I was just looking around. You know, window shopping.”

“Okay, well, if you want to wait in the car, I’m just going to pick up these few things, and I’ll be right out.”

He hands me the car keys, and I head out to the car and let myself in. After a few minutes, he slides into the driver’s seat.

“Ready for the ride home?” he asks.

“Sure,” I say. “I can’t believe how quickly the weekend flew by.”

Ryan is quiet, but he has a funny smile on his face. I let it go, but I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking about.

“Okay, what’s going on?” I ask. “You haven’t stopped smiling since we left the store. Did Marianne slip you her number?”

He laughs and turns to me before looking at the road again.

“I was trying to save it for dinner tonight, but I can’t wait that long.” He reaches into the bag from the antique shop, pulls out a small white box, and hands it to me.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“Let’s call it a souvenir.”

I open the box, and inside, wrapped in tissue paper, is the hair comb I had admired.

“Oh no, we have to go back,” I say. “This was too much.”

“No, it’s just right. I saw you looking at it. I even saw it in your hair. It’s yours. It’s beautiful. Just like you.”

I twist my hair up and put the comb into my hair.

I’m done. It doesn’t matter how much I thought not having sex with him was going to protect my heart. I can’t deny how I feel about him any longer. I reach up and delicately touch the comb, then turn and smile at him. His hand slides over, and he weaves his fingers with mine.

I love him.

CHAPTER 22

Carina

With Grandma at the hospital overnight for observation, I decided to invite Ryan over for dinner.

This is going to be the night. I’m tired of pushing it off and worrying about what’s right or what’s wrong. And I’m tired of making myself feel guilty for wanting to have sex. This has nothing to do with what I’m doing for Alex. This is only about two people in a relationship.

I try to make the place look romantic with lit candles and twinkle lights, and I even start the fireplace since it’s a chilly spring night.

Instead of my usual pants, I wear a dress and tell Ryan to dress up as well.

I race to the knock at the door and open it up to see Ryan in a perfectly tailored suit. My mind wonders why a plumber would own something like that, but I close my eyes and push the thought out of my head.

Nothing is going to ruin tonight.

While my eyes are closed, Ryan kisses me. His firm lips part my mouth as his tongue moves along mine. I grab onto him, not wanting him to stop, when he suddenly pulls away.

"I'm sorry. I tried. I can't help myself anymore."

He picks me up and carries me the short distance from the entryway into the living room. He leans down and blows out the candles on the cocktail table before kicking it out of the way and laying me on top of the plush rug in front of the fireplace.

Frantically, we paw at each other's clothing. Because I fumble with his shirt buttons, he yanks his shirt open and takes it off. I almost forgot what an incredible body he has. His chest is muscular and strong, and when I unzip his pants, I see he has those hip bones that are so sexy on men.

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