He had not really considered that it wasn’t just Sage he had to worry about once the truth came out. Ryan would have to deal with her entire family.
* * *
Harold sat down at the table where Meredith was having breakfast. She looked up from her newspaper. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have a hotel of your own to run?”
“Now you are beginning to sound like the Alexanders.”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
“I have heard some potentially damaging news. There’s talk that Sage is dating some man she found on the streets. Is this true?”
“What business is it of yours?” Meredith asked. “Harold, why are you so consumed with Malcolm and his family? You know, some might consider you a stalker of sorts.”
He dismissed her words with a slight wave of his hand. “I knew that your working with Sage was going to be trouble.”
“Actually, it’s been quite enlightening,” she countered. “She and I are becoming great friends.”
Harold frowned. “You just be careful. They are not to be trusted.”
She gave him a wry smile. “They say the same thing about you.”
“Where is your sense of loyalty?” he challenged. “You and I…we are brother and sister. How dare you choose them over your own flesh and blood.”
“I’m not going to allow you to put me in the middle of this mess you created. I like the Alexanders, and I’ll have no part in any of your schemes to get back at them for some imagined wrong.”
His mouth twisted in anger. “I hope one day you will realize that you chose the wrong side, Meredith.”
“And I hope you’ll come to realize that there is really only one side. We are all a part of the DePaul family. We should stick together and not be divided. Malcolm and his family has done nothing to warrant the attacks you’ve sent their way.” Meredith sent her brother an angry glare. “You have no problem going after anyone in that family. It is not their fault for what happened. If you want to be angry at someone then be angry at Uncle Robert. He is the one responsible for all that’s transpired.”
She rose to her feet. “I need to get to the office.”
“Meredith…”
She shook her head. “I’m done with this conversation, Harold. You really need to find a way to deal with your anger issues. Perhaps you should seek therapy.”
* * *
Sage and Ryan spent the weekend on Catalina Island, a popular destination located about twenty-two miles southwest of Los Angeles.
They both wanted some time away from the hotel and Beverly Hills.
“I’m so glad we decided to get away,” Sage said as they walked out of their suite in the cozy bed-and-breakfast inn. As they descended the stairs, she said, “I could stay here forever.”
Ryan felt the same way. Although he never said anything to Sage, Ryan felt as if his every move was under scrutiny at the hotel. “I can see why you love coming over here. The island is beautiful.”
Sage nodded. “This is my second time coming here. The first time was with my mother and sister. We decided to come here so that the men could bond.”
As soon as they stepped outside, Sage beheld her surroundings. It was so amazing how the fall season just seemed to wash the island in brilliant waves of color. Immersed in the sea of heavenly hues as people milled around them, Ryan and Sage strolled casually along the sidewalks, pausing every now and then to peruse items in the local shops.
“I really needed this little getaway. It seems that I cannot keep my desk clear. We have sold almost all of the vacant residences, and a previously occupied one will be for sale soon. The owners want us to list it.”
Ryan held her hand and kept her close to him at all times, which thrilled Sage. No man had ever made her feel so special.
“What are you thinking about?” Ryan asked, intruding on her thoughts.
“I was just thinking that no man I’ve ever dated has made me feel the way you do. You treat me like a queen.”
“That’s because you are a queen to me,” Ryan interjected. “A woman who is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside deserves to be treated like royalty. I love and appreciate your friendship, your love and your honesty.”
Sage took his hand in hers. “Please don’t place me on a pedestal, Ryan. I’m not perfect. I have flaws—quite a few actually.”
He met her gaze. “You are perfect in every way to me.”
Chapter 14
“You and my sister are getting really close,” Ari stated when he strolled into Ryan’s office. “I’ve been busy with wedding plans, but I want to talk to you. Do you have a minute?”
Ryan motioned for Ari to take a seat.
“I’m in love with your sister,” he stated. “Sage loves me in return.”
“She had made that clear to all of us,” Ari responded.
“Are you concerned that my intentions toward your sister are not pure?”
“I’m sure you would be just as concerned if the roles were reversed.”
Ryan had to admit that Ari was right. He would try to protect his sister, if he had one. “You’re right.”
“I don’t want you to think that I have anything against you, Ryan. It’s just that I love my sister, and I don’t like seeing her get hurt.”
“I will never intentionally hurt Sage. Ari, I give you my word.”
“Great,” Ari responded as he rose to his feet. “Sage is very caring, and loyalty is extremely important to her. I hope you will keep that in mind.”
Ari left the office.
Ryan swallowed hard. He was almost done with his research. For a brief moment, he considered not going through with the articles, but the subject matter was something he cared about deeply. He couldn’t turn back now.
He didn’t want to lose Sage either.
Ryan picked up the phone and dialed her office extension.
“This is Sage Alexander,” she announced.
“Hello, beautiful.”
“Ryan, hey…”
“Can you come to my office?” Ryan asked.
“Sure. I’ll be there in a few minutes. I need to make a quick phone call first.”
While he waited, Ryan played what he was going to say in his head. He prayed the right words would come out of his mouth.
But mostly he prayed that he would not lose Sage. He hoped that in time she would be able to forgive him. Ryan was not prepared to have this conversation, but it could not wait any longer. He had to tell her everything today.
Ryan leaned back in his chair. “Please let this turn out okay,” he whispered to the empty room.
* * *
Sage had no idea why Ryan wanted to see her, but it did not really matter. She always looked forward to spending time with him.
She entered his office wearing a smile. “What’s up, Ryan?”
He gestured for her to take a seat on the sofa.
Ryan pushed away from his desk and stood up. He walked across the carpet to join her.
Sage planted a kiss on his lips.
She noted a glimmer of apprehension in his eyes. “Is something wrong?”
“There’s something I have to tell you.”
“Honey, what is it?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.
“I love you so much.”
Sage smiled. “I love you, too. You are the first man I have ever met that I can say that I trust with my life. I wish there were more men in this world like you.”
“I would do anything to keep you safe. I hope you know that, Sage.”
She reached over and touched Ryan’s face. “I believe you, and I would do the same for you.”
They shared a kiss.
“One of the things I love most abou
t you is your honesty. Total honesty is a rare quality in a person, but I’ve found it in you, Ryan. I love that we have no secrets between us. I don’t think I could deal with someone who is unable to be truthful with me, especially about the little things.”
Ryan was silent.
“I’m not putting you on a pedestal,” Sage said with a smile. “I’m just speaking the truth about you.”
“I hope that I can one day prove to be worthy of your love, Sage.”
“Honey, you already have,” she assured him. “I feel so close to you, Ryan. I trust you so completely. It’s freeing to know that you can feel that way about a person.”
She glanced at her watch. “Oh, I have to get going, but what did you want to tell me?”
“That I love you with all my heart.”
Sage smiled at him. “Aww…honey. I never tire of hearing you say that.”
“Then I won’t stop saying it,” Ryan promised. “I won’t let a day go by without my telling you how much you mean to me.”
Sage savored the feel of Ryan’s lips on hers.
On the way back to her office, it struck her that Ryan hadn’t really seemed like himself. Sage paused a moment before opening the door and considered going back to see him, but she really did not have time. She would catch up with him later.
Sage ran into Franklin and his daughter Tammie in the elevator.
“Where have you two been?” she asked. “I haven’t seen either one of you in a while.”
“Dad took me to Italy,” Tammie announced. “It was a birthday present to me.”
“I wanted to do something special to make up for all of the birthdays I missed when she was growing up.”
Sage broke into a grin. “I think that’s wonderful. It’s a great birthday present. How are things working out with Drayden as your boss? You can always come work here at the hotel if he’s not treating you right.”
“Drayden is wonderful,” Tammie said. “I’ve learned a lot from him. He actually thinks I should sit for the CPA exam.”
Franklin agreed. “I’ve been telling her that I think she’s already invested so much into her education that she might as well go for it all.”
“If they haven’t convinced you already, then let me throw in my vote,” Sage said. “Tammie, if this is something you want to do then do it. Life is short.”
She got off the elevator when the door opened.
Sage thought about Ryan and smiled. He was absolutely perfect as far as she was concerned. Sure, he had some flaws, but she had yet to uncover any. He was definitely a dream come true.
* * *
“What’s got you in such a happy mood?” Ryan asked her the next morning over breakfast.
Sage flashed him a grin and said, “I was thinking about last night and how beautiful it was being with you. We’re really good together, but it’s not just about the sex.” Her eyes met his intense gaze. “Ryan, I have so much to be thankful for.”
Sitting down beside her at the dining room table, Ryan smiled. “I’m just glad you’re happy.
“You’re not hungry?” he asked, pointing to her plate.
Sage patted him lovingly on the back, and said, “While you’re eating, I’m going to go up and take my shower.”
Chewing, Ryan nodded.
Sage hummed as she made her way to the bathroom.
While she showered, Sage reflected upon her favorite pastime of late—Ari and Natasha’s upcoming wedding, which was less than two weeks away.
She and her mother were helping Natasha choose the wedding favors and the flowers. She enjoyed helping out, but she could not wait to take some time to relax after her brother’s marriage.
While Ryan went to work in the restaurant, Sage met Meredith and Paige in the spa for a day of pampering.
“I so needed this,” Sage murmured as she was getting a massage.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this,” Paige said. “Thanks so much for inviting me.”
“We girls work hard, so we have to stick together,” Meredith interjected. “I say we do this at least once a month.”
“I’m in,” Sage said.
“So am I,” Paige responded.
Later, while getting pedicures, Sage smiled at Paige and said, “Looks like you and Keith are getting along really well. I hear that you are all he talks about.”
“He is such a sweetheart. I really like him. Like, a lot.”
Meredith and Sage chuckled.
Three hours later, the three of them sat down on the sofa in Sage’s den.
“I feel like a new woman,” Paige stated.
“So do I,” Meredith said in agreement. “I love pampering myself.”
Paige checked her watch. “I need to go get my baby. I really enjoyed spending the day with you two. Let’s do it again real soon. You ladies are, like, the only two friends I have in this entire state.”
Sage walked her to the door.
When she returned, Meredith was on the telephone with Dale.
“That man is driving me crazy,” Meredith announced when she hung up. “I know he loves me, but I’m beginning to think that he doesn’t want to marry me.”
“Why do you feel that way?” Sage inquired.
“He keeps trying to push it out further. Now he thinks we should wait until he’s been with a firm for at least a year.”
“Does he know that you’re ready to get married now?”
Meredith nodded. “I don’t know what to do. I love him so much, but I’m tired of waiting for a wedding ring.”
“I don’t think you should give him an ultimatum unless you are prepared for it to go either way,” Sage stated.
She hugged Meredith. “Just know that you and Dale have to find a way to get on the same page. I hope that it works out for you.”
“So do I,” Meredith whispered.
“He would be a fool to let you go. You are a sweetheart, and I want you to know that I love you, cousin. If Dale is the man that I think he is then he won’t risk losing you.”
Rising to her feet, Meredith said, “I hate to leave, but I have to meet my mother. She wants my help in selecting some wallpaper.”
“Call me later if you need to talk,” Sage told her.
“Thank you, Sage. I love you.”
She walked Meredith to the door.
They were becoming closer every day. No one else in the DePaul family had come around, but Sage believed that it was only a matter of time.
Chapter 15
Sage heard the familiar sound of her mother’s bracelets jingling as she walked toward her. “Sweetie, is everything all right? You look as if you have something weighing heavy on your mind.”
She gave a slight nod. “Mama, everything’s fine.”
Barbara eyed her. “You sure?”
Sage pasted a smile on her face. “Actually, things are great in my world. My life couldn’t be any better.”
“Does this have anything to do with Ryan?”
“Yes, it does,” she confirmed. “He is such a wonderful man, Mama. I just wish that my brothers were as happy for me as I am. I know that they are being protective, but hasn’t Ryan proven himself already? Blaze and I used to do stuff together, but whenever I mention bringing Ryan around, he backs out on me.”
“Maybe it’s because Blaze doesn’t want to feel like a third wheel,” Barbara suggested.
“I guess I hadn’t really looked at it that way,” Sage admitted. “It’s just that I love Ryan. I want him welcomed into the family in the same way that we welcomed Natasha.”
Her mother nodded in understanding. “I must admit that he has done an exceptional job,” Barbara stated, “which is why I can’t help but wonder why he wasn’t able to secure employment.”
/> “There are a lot of people who possess great skills and wonderful résumés but are unable to get jobs,” Sage pointed out. “The economy is really crazy right now.
“You are still not sure about him,” Sage stated. “You don’t really trust him, do you?”
Barbara met her gaze. “Ryan has proven to be a valuable member of our staff, but I do want you to be careful, Sage. Although he appears to be a hard worker, we do not know anything about this man.”
“That’s just it, Mama. I do know Ryan. My heart knew his the moment our paths crossed. I felt our connection instantly, and so did he. I trust Ryan. I just wish you all felt the same way.”
“Give us time,” Barbara said. “If Ryan is all that you say he is then we will see it for ourselves.”
* * *
Sage was not her usual self, Ryan noted. “Long day?”
She glanced up at him. “Huh?”
“You look like you have something weighing on your mind.”
“I had a conversation with my mother today,” Sage said. “About you.”
“What happened?” he asked.
“They are still wary of you, Ryan. I keep telling them that they don’t have to be,” she told him. “I just wish they would trust me. You and I have no secrets. I don’t understand why they are acting this way.”
“Maybe it’s because they only see me as an employee, Sage. I really haven’t spent much time around them outside the hotel.”
“I didn’t bring you around them because I didn’t want them making you uncomfortable,” Sage explained.
“I am not afraid to face your family,” he told her. “Sweetheart, I do not want to come between you and your family. I love you but I won’t put you in a position where you would have to choose.”
“You would break up with me if it came to that?”
Ryan nodded. “Family is important, Sage. I would never want you to give up your family for me. I’m not worth it.”
“You are an incredible man,” she murmured. “I owe you an apology, Ryan.”
“For what?”
“I thought I was protecting you from my family. I should have brought you around them so that they could get to know you better. I’m so sorry.”
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