Page 42 of The Grinch who Loved Me
Raegan shook her head, “I knew I shouldn’t have left.”
Aria blinked, “Why? Because I met a guy?”
Raegan shook her head, “No. I don’t know. I just leave and then these huge changes happen. I don’t get it.”
Aria hugged Raegan the best she could, “He is so wonderful to me, I swear it. He treats me like a princess and I couldn’t have found a better man. My car started making all these weird noises and I saw a sign for a garage and it was Ryland’s. He was so gruff at first, but he really is just a big teddy bear. One that is so protective of me and loves me.”
Raegan’s eyes went wide again, “He loves you? You guys have only started dating. Like what? Days ago?”
Aria nodded, “I was shocked too. But I talked to my mom and to Ryland. Love doesn’t work in the time we think. It does what it wants and for once, I want to follow my heart. I want to be the one who has a man look at me like we always wanted. And that’s Ryland. He is such a good man, Raegan. He has never treated me as less than and he thinks I’m beautiful and perfect. Me. Aria. I love him. He took my heart and I gave him mine. And I won’t be sorry for it.”
Raegan sighed and walked over to her and hugged her, “You are perfect and beautiful. And I’m glad he can see that and hasn’t made you question yourself. If I could pick a perfect man for you, it would be a man who could see you like I do. Like your family does.”
Aria smiled, “That’s him. He makes my confidence soar. I have never felt more confident than I do now. I know everyone has told me that I am worth it. That I am amazing, but I never believed them. Until now. It finally sunk in. And I love him for it. Love you all for it. For not giving up on me and loving me and making me know that I can be more. That I am enough. It’s a good feeling.”
Raegan smiled, “You are enough Aria. You are the most amazing woman I have ever met. Hands down. Not because of your disability, but because it’s you. You have this personality that draws people to you. That makes people smile and makes them forget their problems. It’s all you. And I know if Ryland can see that, then he is the man for you.”
Aria nodded, “He asked me to marry him.”
Raegan gasped and Aria chuckled, “He wants me to design my own ring, but he wants to pay for the supplies.”
Raegan grinned, “You have the one in mind don’t you? The one you told me about years ago?”
Aria nodded and Raegan pulled her in for another hug, “Go get started then. I got this.”
Aria laughed, “I will. Trust me. I want it on my finger.”
Raegan grinned, “Anything else exciting that my best friend forgot to tell me?”
Aria shook her head, “Some woman was screaming in Trixie’s store again. But the guy that Trixie is dating took care of it. I hope.”
Raegan shook her head, “This is why I should never leave. Ever.”
Aria laughed, “You went to help Rowen with the kids. And you are back early. Why?”
Raegan chuckled, “Rowen couldn’t stand being away from the kids, so Scout bought them tickets and I helped them fly to where they were staying. And I wanted to come home too.”
Aria hugged her best friend, “Good. I’m glad.
Raegan followed her to the backroom and Aria told her all about Ryland and how sweet he was.
How he treated her like a queen and had decorated his house for her, even though he no longer celebrates Christmas.
Raegan grinned with each new tale and then she said, “Have you two got it on?”
Aria went pink and Raegan gasped, “You have! How was it?”
Aria bit her lip and Raegan put her chin on her hands, “Tell me. I wanna know if it’s all that it’s cracked up to be.”
Aria laughed, “It was amazing.”
She told Raegan some of the details, but not all. Those were just for her.
She worked on finding the right supplies for her ring and knew that even though she had other orders, that she would work on her ring as much as she could.
She and Raegan talked until the bell on the front door dinged and Raegan went out to help their customer.
Ryland came in the back door a few minutes later and she looked over her shoulder at him and he grinned.
