People may say there’s no such thing as love at first sight.

But those people have never met Ryder. And certainly never seen me with him. And the truth is, a few days ago, I wouldn’t have believed it either.

But now I look down at this man, a man twice my size, his heart so fucking big, I realize just how little I knew before the auction. Certainly nothing about love.

And now I know.

Now I know that the way I feel about Ryder, it’s more than infatuation or lust. And maybe that’s unbelievable to anyone who hasn’t experienced it, but it’s not my job to prove to anyone else that you can fall in love over the course of the day.

But you can.

Because I have.

I looked down at Ryder. A man holding out a diamond ring, kneeling before me in the green grass, and I know he loves me too.

Some people thought the auction was the craziest thing I’ve ever done, but I already know what they’re going to say about this. That it isn’t real. That it won’t last.

But that means they don’t know me very well.

I don’t do anything halfway.

And I certainly don’t set my mind to something I don’t intend to follow through on.

“Of course, I will be your wife.” I lean closer, holding his face with my hands and kiss his mouth again, breathing in the strong man, this man who will be my husband.

“Justine,” my mom says, already shaking her head, doubting me. Assuming I’m doing another reckless thing. As Ryder holds me in his arms, I look over at my mother.

She keeps speaking, and her words, surprise me. “You’ve always known what you wanted,” she says, reaching for my father and clasping his hands. “And I’m sorry for ever doubting you, but I promise I won’t doubt you again.”

“It’s okay, Mom. You were worried about me. I’m glad that people care. That my family cares.”

“We do, baby,” Jim says. “We care so much. And by the looks of it, there are more people in our family to care about now.” He looks at Ryder, tears filling both their eyes, and I can’t believe I’m seeing these strong men cry.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve all this,” Ryder says slipping the ring onto my finger. “And maybe I’ll never know, but I’m going to hold on tight. I swear I’ll never let go.”

The ring fits perfectly, and I feel honored to be wearing it when he tells me it was his mother’s.

“This is crazy,” I say with a grin. “Ryder, we are totally crazy.”

“You know that magazine Exposé is going to have a field day with us, don’t you?” Vicky says.

“They can say what they like, Mom. In fact, I’ll give them an interview.” I wrap my arms around Ryder, kissing him again.

“Crazy, maybe, but there are worse things to be,” Ryder says. When he speaks, his eyes pierce mine, slaying me with emotion. “Like alone.”

“You’re right,” I say, smiling at the truth. We did find each other. And we don’t have to be alone.”

“Are you going to leave California and move to Alaska, or should I pack up my cabin and head south?” he asks.

“You would move to California for me?” I shake my head at his words. “I can’t picture you living in Los Angeles. Like, at all.”

“I’d do anything to be with you, Justine. I mean that.”

“Justine’s been talking about Alaska since she was a little girl,” my dad says.

It’s true. I’ve always been drawn to this state and have been up here a handful of times for various projects. It’s a place I would love to call home.

“If you want to stay, I won’t fight you,” Ryder says. “I was thinking I could be more involved in HAHA. My mom would have liked that.”

“That’d be wonderful,” I say.

Ryder looks at me, his hand cradling my face. “And Justine, you should be on the board too. I’m guessing Luther’s spot is going to be free.”

I lean into Ryder, unable to believe what has happened between us. That our love has blossomed and grown into something strong, so quickly.

My parents’ phones begin to ring. “It’s Eileen,” Mom says.

Dad flashes me his phone. “The police want you both at the station.”

Ryder exhales and lifts me to stand. “I’ll get your clothes from upstairs, okay? I don’t want you to go back up there.”

“Can you give us a second?” I ask my Mom and Dad. They nod, and head to the car to wait for us.

“Everything okay?” Ryder asks, holding my hand tight. “You’re not overwhelmed?

I smile. “What would I be overwhelmed about?”

Ryder grins, running a hand through his hair. God, he looks so good when his arms flex and when the hem of his tee-shirt is lifted. And this man is mine. Forever.

It’s kind of insane.

I press a hand to his rock hard chest. “Are you talking about the fact that we told my parents about our sex life or how we fell in love in less than twenty-four hours? I mean, it could always be because I have a freaking ring on my finger and I just learned your last name this morning.”

Ryder smiles, his arms instantly around my waist, his hands cupping my ass. “Too fast?”

I shake my head. “Not too fast for me. For me, it is perfect.”

“You think your parents are freaked out?”

I laugh. “My parents are used to me digging in my heels once I’ve made up my mind. They know better than to doubt me.”

“I love you, Shortbread.”

“And I love you, Ryder.”