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“Really?” I watch as the tension leaves her body.

I move toward her, and my father turns and heads back into the restaurant.

“Really, baby.” I take her into my arms and tip her head back so I can place a soft kiss on her lips. “I think that’s enough stress for the day. Tell my dad you’re leaving so we can get out of here.”

She shakes her head. “No, I have a shift to fulfill. I’ll see you at my house after work.”

“Not happening.” I follow her back inside and sit in the kitchen, helping my dad when he needs it. After she finishes her shift, I follow her home.

Chapter Eight

LYNAE

Sitting in Ryker’s truck, I’m still shocked by what happened tonight. I can’t believe he fired Tonya. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about him cheating on me like Sayler did. Not that I wasn’t glad Sayler was finding sex somewhere else, but I don’t want that with Ryker.

I’ve struggled with my emotions since last night when Tonya told me she was dating Ryker. My heart hurt, and I was pissed, but now I’m relieved and upset with myself for believing it. He watched me all night tonight and hasn’t left my side.

He followed me back to my house, where we left my car. Now, we are crossing the vineyard to where his house is located. When he pulls up, I remember seeing this house from across the lake during one of my walks with Isla. He parks, and I glance around, noticing how the stars reflect off the calm lake. He walks around the truck and opens my door. I reach out my hand for him to help me out, but he bypasses it and grabs me around my waist. He lifts me out and sets me on the ground next to him. I love how small and petite I feel beside him. He takes my hand and leads me up a set of stairs to the front door. It opens into a large room, beautifully decorated in soft grays and creams. Thewalls are a slightly bluer shade of gray, and I’m shocked by how homey and comfortable it all feels.

“Wow.”

“Yeah, my mom and Isla decorated it after it was built. Are you hungry?” He walks to the large kitchen in the open concept area, and I shake my head.

“Your dad fed me well. I’m fine.”

“Come on, I’ll show you around.”

He takes my hand and leads me upstairs. There are two bedrooms up here, one bathroom, and a loft that overlooks the living room below us. He then shows me the downstairs. There’s a room decorated in a soft blue, with floral accents.

“This is Isla’s spare room. She stays here a lot.”

“Oh, okay.” I smile as we move on.

I glance around the large game room. It has a huge television, a sectional sofa, and a pool table. He guides me outside next, and the lake is right there, with a boat tied to a dock.

“This place is amazing.”

“Come on. I have one more room to show you.” He tugs on my hand, and we head back inside. As we turn down the hall, he points out a small bathroom and the laundry room. Ryker stops at a door, then turns to face me. “This is our room.”

“Ours?” I look at him.

“When you realize I’m not going away—and that we are meant to be together forever—you’ll move in.”

He opens the door, and I’m overwhelmed with emotion. “Ryker, we can’t do this just because we are having a baby together.” The room is dominated by a large bed and done up in soft gray colors.

Ryker turns me to face him before dropping to his knees in front of me. My breath catches.

“Ly, I know you just got out of an awful marriage, so I’m not going to push. But expect me to ask you several times, because Iwant our child to be born into our family.” He takes my hands in his and kisses the backs of them. “I care about you a lot. I knew the moment I saw you across that bar, you were mine. I tried to find you, so the baby has nothing to do with how I feel.” He kisses my bump, then rises. “I don’t expect a yes yet.” He kisses my forehead before turning to walk out the door, leaving me alone in the room.

I walk to the bed, barely able to step up to sit on it. I look around the room, replaying his words in my head. I want a family. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. But he didn’t say he loves me, and I’m scared to trust my feelings yet.

When Ryker takes me home, he walks me to the door and kisses me softly on the lips.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. We’re shopping in Flagstaff for baby stuff, and then Sunday is dinner at my parents’.”

“Um.” I want to tell him no, but I can’t. “Okay.”

“Lock up, little vixen.” He watches me from beside his truck.

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