by Jayne, S. L.
I threw my head back laughing. Trust Adam to not like the attire.
“Don’t talk bollocks, Adam, you know you look hot,” Meaghan said, laughing. “Rylee, don’t you think this place looks all posh?” she asked.
“Bollocks? Posh?” I asked, not sure of the British slang she used.
“Yeah, posh means all sophisticated and done up, and bollocks means a lot of things, it can be a man’s balls, something can look the bollocks if it’s fantastic or it can mean shit, too.” she laughed.
I nodded and laughed, turning to Ava to tell her about the word posh, and that I agree it looks fantastic in here. She had managed to pull it off exactly the way she wanted it, with the decorations and sparkling twinkle lights giving the room that extra romantic ambiance.
“C’mon, dance with me,” Matt said, winking at me.
I nodded and he pulled me over to the dance floor, Ava and Ryan followed behind us. The song changed to a slow one, one that I had heard before but didn’t know the artist or song title. Wrapping my arms around Matt’s neck as he held onto my waist. I looked up at him, the black mask he’s wearing with a small trail of silver down each side makes him look mysterious and sexy.
“You just need a cape now and you’ll look like a superhero,” I teased.
His mouth lifted one side, giving me half a smile. “Nah, baby, I’m not a superhero, they save everyone… I can’t save everyone.”
“You saved me from getting lost in my own head.”
He cupped my cheek with his hand and brought his mouth inches from mine. “You’re my princess, it’s my life mission to save you.”
I didn’t respond with words, I kissed him instead. Our lips moved together and his warm tongue teased my bottom lip, I opened my mouth and gave him the access he was silently asking for. The music and the people around us slowly reduced to nothing, I could only focus on Matt’s mouth on mine and his hands gripping my hips, pulling me closer as he deepened the kiss. When our kiss stopped, I pouted at him, letting him know I didn’t want it to end and was hoping he’d carry on.
“Put your pout away, Princess, it’s too fucking cute,” he smirked.
Shaking my head, I laughed at him saying the same thing as he said last time I pouted to try and get my own way. I turn around and see my mom and Max dancing, she has her head laid on his chest and his arms are wrapped around her. They look so happy together, it makes me smile seeing my mom being held that way, it’s something I’ve never seen before. My old life back in Boston is becoming such a distant memory now, so many new memories have moved into my head and gave my thoughts a better place to live.
The whole evening went smoothly, better than I had imagined. The buffet spread that was put on was outstanding, there was so much variety. We had all sat down to eat together- talking and laughing amongst ourselves about anything and everything. We listened through a couple speeches from some of the board members of Sanders and Sons, I couldn’t tell you what was said because I was distracted by Matt whispering in my ear that he couldn’t wait to get me out of my dress.
“I’m up next, guys. I’m nervous as hell, but I’ll try and make it quick so it doesn’t bore you too much,” Ryan smiled as he gets up from the table.
Clever guy.
Ava stood and gave him a hug. “You’ll do great, babe,” she smiled at him.
We all made our way to the front of the stage where Ryan would be making his speech. My heart was beating fast and excitement started to bubble up inside of me. I grasped Matt’s hand and he squeezed mine, letting me know that he knows how I’m feeling.
As Ryan stopped center stage, he gave Matt a look that I couldn’t read.
“I’ll be back, he needs me. Go hold Ava up,” he kissed my head and walked off.
Standing next to Ava, I see a look of pride on her face as Ryan takes the microphone and clears his throat. After thanking everyone for coming and thanking Ava for organizing it all, he keeps his eyes locked on her.
“Baby, I know I could have talked to you down there, but I wanted everyone to hear this. I want the whole damn room to know how much I love you,” he said with a beaming smile.
We all fell silent, focusing on the stage. I didn’t want to look at Ava in fear of giving anything away or her reading my face and knowing I knew all along.
“What is he doing?” Ava whispered, leaning into me.
I elbowed her lightly. “Shhh, I want to listen,” I whispered back.
She turned her attention back to the stage, muttering something about killing me under her breath.
"Every day with you, my girl, is a dream come true for me. I swear to you all, I don’t deserve this woman, but by some miracle she loves me back. You’re in my head, my heart and my soul. There is only you, and there will always be only you, baby.”
A few soft aww’s came from people standing close to us.
“Only your fingers fit perfectly in the space between mine, your eyes can see into the deepest part of my soul. I told you in my letter that seeing you, holding you, kissing you, all of that and more is what I breathe for, baby… it’s true. I want to watch you sleeping and I want to fall asleep to the sound of your breathing next to me every night, for the rest of my life.”
He stopped, took a deep breath and looked at Matt beside him. Matt nodded back at him, silently encouraging him.
“Ava Lawson, I promise I will love forever and stay by your side for eternity. Will you be my wife, and the other half of me, forever? Will you marry me?” The beaming smile that has broken out across Ryan’s face is priceless.
As soon as he said the word wife, I heard Ava gasp as she grabbed my hand and squeezed it until he had finished. Now she is stood frozen on the spot.
“Ava, go up there and get your man!” I cried, nudging her out of her frozen state.
She turned to face me, realization dawned on her and she threw her arms around me. “Holy shit, Ry, he wants to marry me!” Tears filled her eyes, then she let go of me and rushed off in the direction of the stage.
Tears sting the back of my eyes and I feel Matt’s arm rest across my shoulder, pulling me into his side. He doesn’t talk, but I know he’s watching me as I watch Ava throw herself into Ryan’s arms. My unshed tears fall as I watch tears streaming down her face as Ryan steps out of her embrace and drops to one knee, holding a ring between his finger and thumb. A huge smile breaks out across his face as she nods, unable to form words. Making his way to his feet, he places the ring on her finger, pulls her into his arms and kisses her- not caring about the hundreds of spectators. The entire room erupts into applause, breaking them out of their bubble.
Witnessing your best friend’s happiness, and a dream come true for them play out in front of you is a feeling you can’t explain. But I understand now how Ava felt all those times she told me that me being happy made her happy because right now, even though I’m not responsible for the happiness she’s feeling, I could burst. She has spent so long making sure I’m happy, adjusting her life to suit me or others, she deserves the best future and I know Ryan will give her that.
Chapter Nineteen
Last night, we had continued the celebration of Ava and Ryan’s engagement through to the early hours of the morning. They decided to wait a couple of weeks to have an engagement party because they needed their families to plan the trip over from Boston.
Ava and I didn’t feel up to going to the beach, but Adam had promised Meaghan that he would take her before they headed back home, Josh and Sophie had gone with them which left Ava and I to lounge on the couch. Matt and Ryan stayed behind, too, they said they didn’t feel like being left out with the others being coupled up; apparently their bromance isn’t what we think it is.
“I’m getting married… I’m really getting freaking married,” Ava repeated to herself for the thousandth time.
“Yes! You really are. Have you called Disney yet and asked them to clean out Cinderella’s castle for you?” I quipped.
Laughing, she flung her hand
out and swiped my arm with her fingertips. “Shut up, Ry, I don’t have to have a castle… I can marry my prince on a secluded beach somewhere or in Vegas, it doesn’t matter where as long as I marry him.”
“You’re right, it doesn’t matter where as long as it happens,” I smiled.
“Wow, Rylee Blake, are you softening up on the whole romance thing,” she said jokingly.
I screwed my nose up at her, but couldn’t hold in my laugh. “I don’t have my head in the clouds like-”
She cut me off. “No, you have a Matt bubble that you’re lost in…”
Quickly glancing over at them, I see them engrossed in the game they are playing rather than listening to us talking. I nudge Ava and chuckle, showing her they aren’t aware of our presence, they have an Xbox controller in their hands, so that means they’re only here in body.
“What’s that about me?” Matt asked, looking over his shoulder at us.
I guess I was wrong.
“Rylee was just telling me how much she loves you, Winks.”
Matt chuckled and grinned at me. “Liars, but I love you too, baby.”
We both burst out laughing; we really aren’t the best liars in the world.
“I’m really looking forward to a boring couple weeks, so much has been happening at lightning speed these past few months, I’m welcoming a mundane routine with open arms.”
“I’m up for that, sweetie. We could all do with a bit of a breather and a few relaxing days,” Ava replied.
***
After Adam and everyone else left yesterday, we spent the rest of the evening brainstorming over wedding ideas, but not actually settling on any in particular. Ava and Ryan both have ideas that they would like included in their wedding, but he told Ava that his ideas weren’t really an issue. All that matters to him is that Ava gets her dream wedding as his number one priority is to make sure she is happy.
Sitting at my desk after being with Max in his office for the past two hours, discussing topics of conversation that included my mom moving in with him, I feel slightly unnerved. She’s a grown woman and can make her own choices, but I do worry if it’s too soon… is it too soon when they have known each other for half of their lives and were madly in love once? Maybe I’m being too protective of her and Connor. I know he’s my dad and he’s an amazing man and I trust him completely, but that doesn’t mean my mom and brother deserve any less of my concern. I know they would have spoken to Connor about it, and since I haven’t heard from him I’m guessing he’s okay with it. I know better than anyone that moving on is important and it has to be done.
Picking up my purse and keys, I head out of my office to meet Ava for lunch. She had texted me three times within the two hours I was with Max, wondering what he had called me in for. She was worried as she’s noticed I’ve been feeling tired in the mornings and had thought that he picked up on it too- I told her she had nothing to worry about, I just needed more caffeine fixes during the day and I’d be okay.
Ava decided Starbucks was the perfect solution for my much needed caffeine hit. I wasn’t sure which coffee was which and when I told the barista that I wanted coffee, but not too strong, he suggested a Verde Blonde. We talked about my visit to Max’s office on our way here, and Ava understood my concern but also used my own words against me about my mom being a grown woman and moving on being important. It was the confirmation I needed, and I knew Ava wouldn’t hold back and would be completely honest with me.
“Maybe I can talk Ryan into getting a bigger house and you can move in with us?” Ava said as we seated ourselves at a booth in Starbucks.
“No way. Not happening. Ever. I don’t need to come live with you guys, I’ll be perfectly okay on my own. You deserve this, Ava, and I’m not letting you ruin it or put your damn life on hold again,” I gave her a pointed look, letting her know I’m deadly serious.
“I’ll talk to Matt, let him know that you’re going to be alone,” she smirked.
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “I love you hard, Ava, but for the love of all that’s holy… if you talk to Matt and make him more protective of me than he already is, that’s a friendship breaker right there,” I laughed.
“This is good coffee, almost as good as sex,” Ava said after taking a sip from her cup.
My eyebrows shot up. “Really, Ava? Almost as good as sex… you’re having the wrong kind of sex,” I laughed.
“Oh, since when did you turn into a sex expert?”
“I didn’t say I’m a sexpert, and I may have only ever had one sexual partner, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t get any better than what I’m getting with Matt,” I smirked as I lifted my cup to my mouth.
“I’m not sure that you’re right… Ryan is pretty freaking hot, he likes control,” she laughed.
“Okay, that’s enough of that, girl. And before you spontaneously combust on the spot over thoughts of Ryan in bed, we need to get back to work. Plus I also have to look at Ryan again, so please spare me.” I laughed as I drained my cup and stood up to leave.
***
Matt and I spent last night curled up on the couch watching Runner Runner, it was late by the time we started watching it as he worked until eleven. I’m not sure if I even remember the storyline; with Matt’s arms wrapped tightly around me and Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck on the screen, I just about remembered to breathe.
Ava went to Ryan’s at around eight, which gave me three hours alone to get showered and give myself a pedicure. Those were things Ava and I used to do when we were younger, we would paint each other’s fingers and toes sometimes on our movie nights, those nights were the highlight of my childhood. My childhood post Nate.
Life before Nate came along was perfect- well, it was as perfect as any six year old believes their life is. I wonder how my life would be now if mom hadn’t left Max. Would I still have a little brother? Granted, if I did it wouldn’t be Connor and that thought alone isn’t worth entertaining. I would go back and do it all again if it meant I still have him, but if I had to re-live it all, I would hope that my future self has taught my past self to hold my head high and never let anyone dim my light. Which reminds me of line in a Taylor Swift song, not the entire song, just the part when she sings about people throwing rocks at things that shine. I don’t think she’s the original artist of the song, I’m not sure. We’re all in a much happier place now and if nothing else, my past has taught me that just because someone tells you that you are a certain way, it doesn’t mean you are.
Waking up before Matt is always a perk; I get to study his face and watch his expressions. The corner of his mouth twitches, I don’t know what he’s dreaming about but it’s making him want to smile. Leaning towards him, I place a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth where it twitched, and then move back and watch his eyes gently flutter open.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he grinned, dazedly.
Leaning back in to kiss him, I press my lips against his and smile. “Good morning, sexy. You were trying to smile in your sleep.”
“I must have been dreaming about having you naked and underneath me,” he chuckled lightly.
“You’re so bad,” I whispered, shaking my head.
“You bring out the bad in me.”
“I love my bad boy,” I smirked, pulling myself up into the sitting position.
“You go get your cute ass in the shower, I’ll make the breakfast,” He said, playfully slapping my ass as I got to my feet.
“If you’re wanting to get rough with me, I may not want to shower on my own,” I said over my shoulder before quickly leaving the bedroom.
“I’ve created a monster…” I hear him call out.
Laughing at him calling me a monster, I rush to the bathroom and locked the door behind me so he can’t get in.
I didn’t mean to tease him, well I did, but I don’t really want him to be rough with me… Do I? I know I like the feel of him pulling my hair, but does that mean I’ll enjoy other stuff too? God, I’m so new to this, I
don’t even know if it’s normal to think like this!
The door handle rattling startles me. I spin around, in just my bra and panties, and stare at it. Does he really think I meant it, about not showering alone? Oh lord, what if he wants to get rough with me… in the freaking shower? Hell no, that would hurt getting spanked on wet skin.
Turning the shower on, hoping that will lead him to think I’m not letting him in, I leave it a minute before I slowly open the door and peek my head out the door. He’s standing right there wearing nothing but his white boxers and a devilish grin spread across his face.
He raises one eyebrow and takes a step closer to me. “If you thought a locked door would keep me out, you really do underestimate how much damage I’d cause to get to you, Princess.”
My heart slammed against my chest at his words. I take the few steps that is needed to close the space between us and smile up at him. Neither of us speak as he grabs me by the waist and lifts me off the ground as soon as my arms hook around his neck, I wrap my legs around his waist and crash my lips against his, our tongues duelling and our breaths getting shorter.
Walking us over to the shower, he stops and sets me down on the floor before removing his boxers and pulling me back into him. His hands slide around my back and he unclasps my bra within seconds. “Beautiful,” he breathes as his hands travel down to my panties. I can’t keep my eyes off him, watching him take in every inch of me.
His warm breath on my skin pulls me from my trance; he kisses his way up my body to my neck. “Matt,” I whisper when he reaches my neck.
“Shhh, baby,” he whispered, causing my body to quiver in his arms.
Taking my hand, he leads me into the shower. Stepping under the cascading water, I reach out and pull him into me, wrapping my arms around his waist as I kiss him hungrily. His fingers thread themselves into my hair as he deepens our kiss; I gently graze my nails down his back, making a low groan escape from his throat.
“Please…” I begged.
“I fucking need you, baby, now,” he said, his voice thick with want.