Page 177 of Faking It With the Small-Town Bad Boy

buildings. It just used to be an empty lot out here with a trail that

leads to a stream in the woods behind the main street.

It’s always been so quaint and cute, and I have to hand it to Farrah.

It’s perfect for a wedding.

Someone whistles, and I jump, turning to see Ryan coming down the

trail to meet me. He’s grinning ear to ear, wearing a navy suit with a

navy tie. He looks better than he did on our prom night, and I’m

almost a little surprised to see him clean up so nicely.

“You look good,” he says, beating me to the punch.

We look over the staff putting together hundreds of chairs against the

backdrop of bare trees and a rushing, cold river. It’s a soothing sight,

probably better in the summer, so I’m a little confused about the

haste.

“I heard you wanted to talk to me,” I say.

He nods, watching the rushing waters below. “Yeah, I did. This whole

situation got out of hand so fast, and I never saw any of this coming.

I thought we were taking a break, you and me, and then I had a little

fling with Farrah. And it turned into something way bigger than I

thought it would.”

“Yeah, I agree,” I admit, rubbing my stomach slowly. “It’s been a

whirlwind for sure.”

Ryan can’t keep his eyes off my belly. “I wish we had a second

chance, you know?”

I shake my head at once. “I don’t know that, Ryan. I don’t want that.

I’m happy with Percy.”

“Farrah told me some things about him. I just want to make sure

you’re okay.”

I swallow his words and try not to choke on them. “What do you

mean, exactly?”

“He has a drinking problem, right?”

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