Page 94 of The Rancher's Unrequited Love

"Can it really be that easy?" I ask jerkily.

"Maybe not for others," Aidan acknowledges evenly, "but when it comes to the two of us? It's always been that easy, baby."

I squeeze my eyes shut, but the tears keep falling, and my heart...it's still a crazy mess, but it's definitely beating harder and faster, and it's all because of him.

Because...I love him.

The tears rush faster, but I'm also smiling so widely that when I hear it—-

Click! Click! Click!

I don't even care if the Internet thinks I've lost my mind. All I know is that I'm done. I'm truly done pretending. I'm truly done believing I don't deserve more just because I already have the moon and the stars. I want the fucking sun, too, and Aidan is that for me.

He's my sun, and...and...

Let's do this, Raffi.

I open my eyes, and it feels like the whole world's changed. It's just brighter and prettier now...or maybe I'm the one who's changed, and I've finally allowed myself to see that life can still stay beautiful even if I don't have all my ducks in a row.

"Gimme a minute," I hear myself say as I hurry out of the cafe, "and I'll call you back." I hang up before he can answer, book myself a ride, and I hit theCallbutton the moment I'm in the backseat of an Uber.

"That's been more than a minute, baby."

There's just the slightest bite in his voice, and the sound of it makes my heart skip a beat. "Are you missing me already?"

"What do you think?"

"I miss you, too," I say sweetly, and I can't help laughing when I hear him snort. "I'm on my way back—-"

"Coming from where?"

"Somewhere?"

There's a slight pause, and then he asks very calmly, "Do you remember what I said about not being understanding?"

He's obviously jealous, and my heart just can't take it. "I'm sure you've seen the photo of Jack and me—-"

"It's a video actually, and I have it saved in my phone."

"Sadist."

"I'll beat him for you if you want, but I'd rather not."

I pretend to be outraged, demanding, "Whyever not?"

"Because he's already lost you, and there's nothing worse than that."

I cover my mouth...and then I let myself squeal.

"I still heard that."

Shit.

I'm about to make up an excuse when I realize my Uber has already reached my apartment building, and I'm about to tell Aidan I need to hang up again when someone suddenly opens my door.

Oh!

Aidan helps me out of the cab and smirks at my shock.

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