Page 141 of The Most Perfect Wrong

Slowly, I unwrap the gift to reveal a used Amazon box, taped shut. My fingers work at the tape, and when I finally open it, my heart stutters. I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth as tears spring to my eyes, my throat tightening with emotion.

“My grandmother’s bird,” I whisper. “How did you—?” My voice falters as I lift the delicate glass figure from the box, holding it as if it might shatter in my hands.

“I found it on eBay,” Ryan says softly. “I know it’s not the one she had, but your mom helped me track down the exact same one.”

My fingers trace the intricate glasswork, awe filling me.

“Ry, I…” I blink away a tear and meet his gaze, overwhelmed. No words feel big enough to express my gratitude for this—for him. My voice is barely a whisper. “Thank you.” I lean forward, and he meets me with a kiss.

“It’s from the 1930s, apparently,” he says, brushing a hand along my thigh. “Do you like it?”

I nod vigorously, laughing through the tears. “Yes. Yes, I love it.” My voice cracks, and I shake my head. “God, I don’t even know what to say…” I lean in and kiss him again because this man never ceases to amaze me.

“My grandma got hers when she was a little girl,” I say softly, bringing the bird to my chest. Memories flood back as I think about the last time I saw mine whole. It’s bittersweet, holding this bird now, tracing its delicate wings.

When I walked out that door a little over a year ago, I was shattered. But slowly, with time—and with Ryan’s love—I’ve pieced myself back together. Now, I feel whole. Strong. And looking at this bird, its wings spread wide, I realize I’ve finally learned how to fly.

“Thank you,” I say again, my voice thick with emotion as I rub his thigh. “You’re the best.”

“You’re welcome.” He presses a tender kiss to my lips before standing and pulling me to my feet. “But I’m not done yet. There’s something else I want to show you.”

“Okaaaay,” I say, narrowing my eyes, though I can’t keep the smile off my face.

He takes my hand, and I follow him onto the sand, the cool grains shifting beneath our feet.

“Where are we going?” I ask, glancing at him curiously.

He glances at me. “Just over here.”

I don’t know what he’s up to, but my heart races with anticipation. We walk about fifty feet along the sand before he stops, his hand tightening around mine.

“Do you know what this place is?” he asks.

“Umm… Newport Beach?”

He chuckles. “Well, yeah, it’s Newport Beach, but it’s more than that.”

I glance around, my brows furrowing as I try to figure it out. “Okay… I give up.”

He steps behind me, his arms circling my waist, pulling me close. “This,” he murmurs against my ear, “is where I was the first time I saw you.”

A smile tugs at my lips, and I tilt my head back to look at him. “It is?”

“Yep,” he says, kissing the curve of my neck. “Turn around and see for yourself.”

I turn, following his gaze toward my dad’s house. My stomach flutters as I glance back at Ryan, and my breath catches. He’s grinning, and before I can ask what he’s up to, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box.

“Oh my God!” Laughter bubbles out of me as my hand flies to my mouth. “I knew something was in your pocket!”

Ryan drops to one knee, placing the box gently on the sand before taking my hands in his. His eyes lock with mine, steady and full of emotion.

“Cooper,” he begins, his voice low and trembling with sincerity. “Two years ago, I’d never felt more uncertain about what my future held. My life was a mess—unexpected and full of hurt. I wasn’t looking forward to what was next. But then I saw you, sitting on that patio.” He glances toward the house and back at me. “You were this quiet force that I couldn’t ignore. I didn’t know why, but I felt this pull to you. I was actually excited to go running the next morning, just for the chance to see you again. And then the next morning, and the one after that.”

He laughs softly, his grip tightening on my hands. “And then I saw you at Tipsy. God, I remember this magnetic pull, like fate was shoving me toward you. I had no idea what it was, but I knew I had to follow it. So I asked you out.” He shakes his head, smiling. “And you said no. You told me you only wanted a fun night, nothing else. And I thought, if I could just spend one night with her, maybe she’d change her mind. But you didn’t. I woke up the next morning, and you were gone.”

Tears stream down my face, and I don’t bother wiping them away. My cheeks ache from smiling, but I’m sobbing all the same.

“Life got worse after that,” Ryan continues, his voice heavy with emotion. “For me… and for you.” He exhales, shaking his head as if to steady himself. “But when you walked into that office in Chicago, I knew—I knew—there was a reason why. And when I found out you were engaged…” His voice breaks, and he presses a hand to his forehead. “I thought I’d lost any chance. All hope.”

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