Page 70 of Billion-Dollar Attitudes

I chuckled. "Yeah. It was quite the surprise."

She smiled. "Did you want to make an appointment to try on dresses?"

I shook my head. "Actually, I think I already know what dress I want."

"I thought you might," she said with a grin. "When I saw the engagement, I set it to the side for you. Just in case."

She brought the dress out, and I looked it over one more time. "That's it. That's what I want."

She hung it on the rack behind the counter. "Perfect. Did you want to do a fitting?"

I shook my head. "No. When I tried it on, it was exactly right."

"It was. It was like it was made for you. So I'll have it steamed and perfected, and when it's done, you can come in and try it one last time before you take it home. Just in case."

"Perfect," I said, pulling out my credit card.

I made the purchase and wrote down my cell and Ryder's just in case they couldn't get ahold of me. The bell on the door behind me rang out, and a kid walked up with an envelope. "I'm supposed to deliver this to Amber?"

Confused, I turned to him. "That's me."

He nodded. "Here you go. He said to tell you it's from Ryder."

The boy left, and I took the receipt from the woman before heading to the car. Inside, I pulled out the letter, not knowing how in the world he knew I would be at the bridal salon. I hadn't told anyone, and there were no appointments that day with Sicily.

I pulled the paper out and read the note. "Yesterday was more than perfect, and I couldn't let that go. So let's continue that feeling in private. Meet me at the condo for lunch. Ryder."

I smiled, folding the letter back and putting it in the passenger seat of the car with my purse. So he actually wanted to spend private time together. My heart pattered in my chest, and while I knew it was a bad idea to let those kinds of feelings through, I was exhausted from hiding them. It seemed maybe he felt the same way too. So, I threw caution to the wind and headed to his apartment building.

I didn't have a key to the elevator, so I went to the front desk. Mr. Gold, the building manager, was sitting behind the counter. I had seen him several times, and he was lovely. He stood up immediately with a bright smile. "Miss Amber, what a surprise. It's so nice to see you. Congratulations on your engagement. My wife and I have been married 32 years, and I think she'll hold Ryder's proposal against me for the rest of my life.”

I laughed. "Ryder sent me a message and asked me to meet him at the condo for lunch. But I don't have a key."

"Let me call him," he said, picking up the phone. "If he's up there, he will answer."

After several moments, Mr. Gold hung up the phone. "He's not answering. Hmm."

I set the letter on the counter. "Ryder sent me this."

"Well," he said, chuckling with red cheeks. "Seems he misses you already. No worries. I know you, so I'll escort you up myself."

"Thank you," I said with a smile.

We headed up to the top floor, and when the doors opened, I could see the condo door was cracked open for me. He nodded as I stepped off, hearing the doors shut behind me. My heart was wildly beating in my chest, and I knew it was because I was finally allowing myself to feel the feelings I had for him. I knew I could get hurt, but everything in my life had always been so planned and structured. It was time I took a small risk.

I pushed the door slowly open and smiled, seeing a trail of rose petals on the ground. I slipped off my heels and hung my bag by the door before walking forward. "Ryder, I'm here."

I turned the corner and stopped, looking around for him. The rose petals had stopped too, but I didn't really notice then. "Hello? I got your note, and I think I feel the same way. Yesterday has not left my mind."

I gasped slightly, feeling an arm rub around my waist, with another gloved hand covering my mouth. I put my hands up over the gloved hand and chuckled. "I thought you liked my scream, Ryder."

I could feel a warm breath on my neck, but instead of heat, nerves began to run through me as the person whispered into my ear. "This isn't Ryder."

His hand gripped tighter around my mouth as I tried to scream out. Throwing my elbow back, I walloped him in the stomach, simultaneously stomping on his foot. He groaned and loosened his grip, allowing me to push away from him. I ran several steps and turned around, my eyes going wide. Fear swallowed me, and I tried to scream out, but nothing came. Instead, there was a tall person, cloaked in black, wearing some sort of tribal mask. In their right hand, the person held a hunting knife.

He began to walk heavily toward me, and I stepped back, grabbing the vase from the counter and throwing it at him. He dodged and reached out, grabbing my arm. I pulled and tugged as he jerked me toward him, holding up the knife.

"No," I yelled as the blade hit my forearm, cutting into my skin.

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