Page 64 of Love Letter Lost
Dear Ridge,
I’ve written so many of these letters this last week, but I have to get this one right. I have to finally spell out exactly what I’m thinking and feeling. I love you. If only speaking the words out loud was as easy as writing them down.
Mal
CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE
I entered the gym,freshly stocked refreshment trays in hand. I would find Chloe and Audrey, let them know I was okay, and then track down Ridge. A microphone screeched, drawing everyone’s attention to Aunt Jenna, who stood by the three-tiered cake covered in layers of peach buttercream.
“Thank you everyone for coming to celebrate Livvy and David’s big day. We are so excited to have David join our family. If we could have everyone gather over here”—she waved to the cake table—“we’re going to cut the cake, followed by dancing, in just a moment.”
People pushed up from their chairs and moved towards the cake. I quickly deposited my trays of cookies and moved to join everyone, finding Chloe and Audrey in the crowd. Livvy and David carefully cut the cake and fed each other a bite, despite catcalls for them to smear the cake in each other’s faces. The happy couple couldn’t hold my attention as my gaze combed the crowd, searching for Ridge. As the couple finished, music began to play, and Uncle Ben stepped up to take Livvy’s hand while David went to find his mother.
I watched for a moment, enjoying the joy and peace on Livvy’s face. Then the song switched and David took Uncle Ben’s place. Livvy’s smile grew, and she snuggled into his chest. An involuntary sigh escaped my lips as I watched the scene. It was completely chick-flick worthy.
“They’re so cute!” Chloe gushed, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “How do I find a love like that?”
“Beats me.” Audrey grabbed Chloe’s arm. “Do you think a slice of cake might be part of the answer?”
Chloe laughed. “Maybe. It’s worth a try.”
I bowed out of joining them, refocusing on my mission.
“They look happy,” a deep voice rumbled next to me, and I looked up to find Ridge watching me.
“They do.” I nodded my head. “I hope to be that happy someday.”
The music changed once more, and a different slow song filled the air. I looked up to see multiple couples dancing in the limited space between tables while Livvy and David continued to sway as if nothing had changed.
“I guess that’s our cue.” Ridge gave a sweeping bow and held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”
“Where’s Amber?” The words left my lips before I could think better of them.
“She had to take a phone call.”
I bet she did.My mind flashed to the words I’d overheard.
“I don’t see the point in missing out on a perfectly good slow dance because she’s not here to share it with me.” Ridge offered me his hand once more. “Though I promise not to kiss you in the moonlight when we’re done.”
I bit my lip, knowing I wouldn’t protest if he tried. “Then I’d love to dance with you.”
Ridge placed one hand on my waist and continued to hold the other as if we were about to break into a waltz or some other formal dance. Instead, we swayed in a circle, rocking back and forth to the music.
“You know, Mal, it’s been good to see you again.” Ridge spoke before I could. I looked into his face, watching as a grin toyed at his lips. “I forgot how much I liked being around you.”
“I must not have made much of an impression if you could forget so easily,” I teased.
“No, you definitely made an impression.” He shook his head. “I used to beg Kyle to invite you over. Everything was more fun with you around.”
“Ridge, I…” I trailed off, not sure where to start, but knowing that I had to get the words out before something else could get in the way. Pushing back slightly, I looked up into his eyes. “I lo—”
“Rigdon.” Amber’s voice interrupted me. I looked over to find her glaring at me, an expression that clashed so fully against the first time we’d met and her kindness following the fender bender. “I can’t believe I almost missed dancing with you. Well, good news. I’m all yours for the rest of the night. Mallory, you don’t mind me cutting in, do you?”
I opened my mouth to protest, but Amber didn’t give me a chance. Instead, she pushed her way between us, wrapping her arms around Ridge’s neck and pulling him down for a kiss.
“Amber.” Ridge gasped when she finally let him up for air. “You just saw me not even ten minutes ago.”
“But I missed you the entire time.”
