Chapter 23
Ashley
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I sit outside on the back porch, on the loveseat with Bluebelle curled up beside me. Her head is in my lap and she’s not as hyper as usual. Absently, I stroke her head. “You’re so good to me, sweet girl.”
My eyes feel puffy, and my throat is raw from crying for the past hour. There’s no one I can talk to about it, no one who will listen.
Over the past few years, I made Dean and then my business my world. Only Bluebelle and Ryan encouraged me to come out and fully embrace life again.
My phone buzzes and I glance at the screen, then sigh deeply. Maybe talking to my bestie will help. Who am I kidding? Talking with Laurie always helps. Plus, if I can distract her with questions about her trip the Biltmore, she can distract me with answers.
“Hey you,” I begin in my most cheerful voice. “How’s Boston? I can’t wait to visit you and Justin.”
“What’s wrong?”
I love how well she knows me, but my heart hurts too much for me to admit that it’s breaking. “Nothing.”
“You are such a liar.”
My chest tightens. “I know.”
“Have your brothers kicked his ass yet? Better yet, I’ll kick Ryan’s ass for them.”
I laugh, but there’s no joy in it. “Thanks, but he’s not worth the effort.”
“I don’t know about that. Seriously, though, what happened?”
“I found out he’s going to Boston but not from him, so I ended things before he could.”
“Oh honey, I’m so sorry.” She pauses. “Are you sure he was going without you?”
“No,” I admit. “I didn’t want to know... in case I was right.”
“That’s not how love works.”
“Who said I was in love with him?” I’m so in love with him it hurts.
“Tell that to someone who isn’t your best friend.”
I laugh weakly. “It hurts so bad, Laurie. I have a Ryan-shaped hole in my heart.”
“Talk to him. Have an adult conversation about your future together. It might still hurt, but at least you’ll know for sure and won’t always wonder about what could have happened.”
“Is that your professional opinion?” I tease, even while tears start falling again.
“Doctor’s orders, honey.”
I sniff. “I wish you were here.”
“I know. I wish I were, too.”
Bluebelle raises her head, listens with a cocked ear to something I can’t hear, then takes off for the back gate. “I swear... if Dean is back, I’m gonna kick his tail all over again.”
“Oh my Lord. He had the nerve to come to your house?”
I stomp across the yard. “Yes.”
“I hope you told him off.”
“I punched him in the nose... and then accidentally on purpose shut the car door on his leg. Twice. Does that count?”
“Heck, yeah. Let the ginger loose, girl.” She giggles. “I am so proud of you.”
With a grin, I stop just shy of the gate. “Let me go. I need to see who’s here.”
“K. Love you. Call me. Bye.” We end our call as I lift up the latch.
“Did you really do all that to him, sweetness?”
My breath catches in my throat. “Ryan?”
“Open the gate and let’s talk.”
“I told you I don’t want to date you anymore.”
“And I agreed with you.” He reaches over my tall fence, fumbling for the lock at the top and unlatching it on the second try. The gate swings open, revealing his sexy face and body. “I want more.”
He steps into my yard, closing the gate behind him. I step back, searching for another exit. “This really isn’t a good time.”
“Please, Ashley, hear me out.”
“Why, so you can tell me all the reasons you’re going to Boston without me?” I cry as I turn away. So much for adult conversations. I’m such a coward.
“Talk to me, sweetness.” He catches me by the arm, tugging me to him, and this time I stand my ground. I refuse to be a coward any longer.
I face him and the possible hurt he’ll bring me. “I can’t be left out this time. I want to be part of the decisions you make, unless you don’t feel the same way about me. So, please, be honest with me.”
“Ashley, if you’ll let me explain, I promise to include you in everything.” He lifts my chin, his dark eyes tender and loving.
Wait, that can’t be right.
“I want to tell you all the reason you are going to Boston with me, but right now I can only think of two,” he admits with a sheepish grin.
“With?” I stutter. “Reasons?” Apparently, I’m only capable of speaking in one-word questions through the haze of confusion settling over me as my anger starts to ebb.
“Two of them... I love you, Ashley Margaret Mitchell, and I want you to be my wife.” He gets down on one knee, holding up a diamond ring.
“You love me?” Please say yes.
“Yes.”
“And you want to marry me?” This is the total opposite of what I expected, and I can barely wrap my head around it. My heart has already accepted it, though, and it feels full to bursting.
“Hell, yes.” He stands. “That’s why I don’t want to date you anymore. I want to make you mine. I want to take you off the playing field.”
“Ryan?”
“Yeah?”
I give him a tremulous smile. “I have two replies for you.”
“And those are?”
“I love you, Ryan Shea Turner, and I would be honored to be your wife in Boston, in Raleigh... wherever life takes us.”
Ryan picks me up, grinning, and spins me around. “My wife.”
Laughing, I kiss him and he stops spinning us. “Thank you.”
“For what?” he asks, kissing my forehead.