Page 114 of Rival to the Billionaire

"Aw, come on. Don't pretend your mom hasn't always loved me. Who do you think I gave extra wildflowers to when I had picked too many for you to hold at the same time?"

"I don't know," I say, shaking my head and smiling. "I never really thought about it."

"Well, she likes me a lot more than you're giving her credit for. Anyway, your mom mentioned that the meetings are a far drive for them, and they needed some space away from our old neighborhood to figure some things out." He blinks, his blue eyes searching mine. "So, I offered up my place." He pauses. "They're going to move in this weekend. And they'll stay as long as they like."

"You what?" I ask, my eyes wide, my mouth open. "You've got a spare bedroom, and you want to share it with my mother?"

"No. I have a spare condo I'd like to share with your mother…"

"You offered your entire condo to my mother? What the—Ryder, you can't be serious. What—Why would you do that?"

“Because, after you told me about what was going on with your mother’s abuse and how you had to hold everything together for your fam when we were young, I knew your family needed it. That you needed it. And, of course, because I can, and I have the space."

I shake my head, trying to hold back the shock that I know is on my face.

"When did this happen?"

"Tonight. They're already there, getting set up. I hired a maid to come over and help your mother get some stuff sorted."

"Ryder…" I hold him tighter as we sway. "I don't know what to say." My mind races. "Where will you stay while they're there?"

"Here's the interesting part…I was hoping that I could stay with you."

I blink, my heart beating so fast it feels like it's going to burst out of my chest. This has to be a joke. A dream. "You mean you want to move in together?"

"'Moving in together' is such boring phrase. I'd like to think of it as…'sharing our slice of happiness'." There's a pause. "If you want me to."

"Oh, my God…" I sigh, smiling. "This is crazy. This is… I don't even know what to say."

"Say yes." Ryder pulls me in closer and breathes the words into my hair. "Say yes, and I will do anything. I will paint your toenails. I will ply you with enough Italian food to feed a small nation. I will even install a wine chiller into the cupboard next to your bed?—"

"Okay, okay," I say, my cheeks burning. "You've made your point."

He smiles. "I bet none of Buffy's boyfriends ever did that for her."

"You're crazy," I say, laughing. "But if you're sure."

"I'm sure." He teases the ends of my hair back. “I’ve never been more so, babe. You've been holding the weight of the world on your shoulders since you were a little girl, and I would love nothing more than for you to let me be your rock."

"I've never had a rock. I think I'd like that. A lot. Thank you." I rest my head back against his chest and close my eyes. "I never knew," I say, my voice low. "I've just been waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Ryder asks, his head back, his gaze sharp on me.

"Waiting for the right time. And I was just waiting to find the right person."

"You found me," he says, brushing his lips against my cheek. "It's just that you didn't know you would find me when we were, like, six."

I laugh. "True. You're still the same."

"I'll never change up on you. You know that, right?"

"I know," I say, kissing his shoulder. "Maybe it's time I didn't try to change you either. Where will we go from here?"

"Wherever the wind takes us."

"I think I like that idea," I say, smiling. And for the first time in my adult life, that sentiment is true. "The winds seem to be taking us pretty far already. I have a feeling we'll be doing some flying."

"I know you will. I'll be right there with you." He kisses my forehead. "I'm never letting go of you again."

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