Page 53 of Endless Love

“Really?”

“Yeah, really. Let me put it on you.”

My skin prickled as he expertly hooked the breathtaking necklace around my neck.

He smiled, his eyes drifting down from the pendant to my half-exposed breasts.

“It looks beautiful on you. Go take a look in the mirror.”

My eyes darted around the sprawling room in search of one. And then I found it. Hung above a set of drawers in the far corner. On the chest were dozens of photos of Allee and Ryan. Having not noticed them before, my throat constricted as a sudden rush of insecurity overcame me.

“What’s the matter?” asked Ryan, sensing my unease.

“Ry-man, I can’t accept this gift.”

“What do you mean?”

“You still belong to her.” My watering eyes stayed fixed on the photos.

Following my gaze, Ryan muttered, “Shit. I should have put those photos away.”

“No, Ryan, I understand. If my father married someone new, he could never hide the photos of my mom nor the portrait of her in our entryway. Nor could I.”

Ryan’s anguished expression softened. He stroked my face, brushing away the few tears that had escaped. “Willow, Allee will always be part of my life. She lives in my heart. Dr. Goodman told me that’s why love never dies. Please try to understand that.”

Undying Love.Biting down on my bottom lip, I nodded. Ryan’s blue orbs burned into mine.

“Willow, what can I do to prove that you’re the only one for me now?”

I shrugged. How could I ever replace Allee? My eyes stayed on him as he glanced down at his hands. He drew in a sharp breath, and then to my shock, he tore off his wedding band.

“Ryan, what are you doing?” I gasped as he set it on the nightstand and gripped my bare shoulders. I trembled at his touch as he held me fiercely in his gaze.

“I’m no longer married to Allee. I want to move on. Be with you. Wake up to you and go to sleep with you. Hold your body against mine. Smother you with kisses. Taste your lips on mine. Make love to you every way I can.”

I couldn’t help but burst into soft sobs. Ryan took me into his strong arms and held me until they subsided. He gently tilted up my chin.

“You okay, butterfly?”

I nodded.

“Say it. I need words.”

“I’m good.”

“Good.” His gaze dropped to the trick or treat bag, still on the bed. “There’s something else in that bag.”

Curious, I reached my hand back inside it, withdrawing a plain white business envelope. A birthday card? It didn’t look like one. Ryan confirmed that, apologizing that he didn’t have time to buy one.

“Open it.”

I unsealed the envelope and slipped out the folded sheet of paper inside it. I silently read the handwritten words: Come fly with me, butterfly! Below them was a drawing of a butterfly whose wings looked like two connected hearts. Perplexed, I unfolded the note. Again, my eyes grew wide.

“What is this?” I asked.

“A round-trip ticket to LA.”

Stunned, I let him continue.

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