Page 18 of Save Me

“If you say I have a great personality, I’m hanging up.”

“Why? What’s wrong with a great personality?”

“It means I’m not attractive and you know I already struggle with that too.”

“And again, I don’t know why. You are beautiful, Ryleigh. Everyone sees it but you.”

Earlier, Ryker had called her beautiful, but that was just him being flirty. He probably said that to every woman he hit on.

“I have mirrors, Ivy. I know what I look like,” she said miserably.

“Then get some new mirrors because believe me, you’re beautiful. You intimidate guys because you’re the total package. You’ve got looks and brains.”

Groaning, she threw her head back against the cushions. “They’re all just so boring! I swear, I haven’t been out with anyone interesting in like…forever.”

“Okay, who was the last interesting guy you dated?”

“Um…” She racked her brain and couldn’t readily think of anyone.

Ryker.

Yeah. That had been a shocker.

While they had shopped for milkshake supplies, he was sweet and funny and a little charming. When they got back to his place—which was a seriously impressive mid-century modern house just a block away from the beach—he was a complete gentleman. He made them each a shake while talking about nothing overly personal. He talked mostly about how he loved having an untraditional house—something non-beachy—so close to the coast. In her eyes, it made him a little quirky.

Like her.

It was possibly the most enjoyable “date” she had in years.

And it was painful to have to admit it.

So she wouldn’t.

At least, not out loud.

“This is a problem,” Ivy said, interrupting her thoughts. “You need to seriously think about what you want, Ry. Maybe if you knew and could articulate it, your mother would know what kind of guy to look for.”

“That’s just it! I don’t want her looking for anyone! It’s my life and I should be able to find a guy on my own! And…and…maybe I don’t even want one! I mean, there is nothing wrong with being single. Not everyone wants to be part of a couple and fall in love and get married and have babies and do all that happily ever after crap.”

A soft sigh was Ivy’s initial response. But then…

“You and I have known each other since kindergarten. I think that whole little speech is a defense mechanism and it makes me sad.”

“Why would I…?”

“You haven’t found the right guy for you and I get it, it sucks. No one’s saying you need to fall in love and get married and have babies right now…”

“That’s not what my mom’s saying.”

“But…I know you, Ryleigh. And I know that you do want those things. You’ve always wanted those things. And I know that the right guy is out there. You just need to be patient.”

She hated how tears stung her eyes and she was glad she was home alone so no one would witness them.

“Thanks, Ivy.” Sighing, she felt no more at peace than she did before their call, but it was what it was.

“So, tell me how great of a kisser Ryker is,” Ivy said to lighten the mood.

And after a good laugh, she did.

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