Chapter 20
TEAGAN
Two weeks later
I strut down the street on the way to work, pop music blasting, my sassy pink purse on my arm, bopping in my head to the beat of my . . . no-longer-single-in-the-city lifestyle.
I’ve been with Ransom—officially—for only two weeks.
But it’s been a whirlwind.
A fantastic fourteen days of dates and sex, nights and talks, food and fun. And more sex.
As well as falling for him.
Falling so much it ought to scare me.
But I’m not scared.
Or at least I’m not scared enough to stop it.
I’m brave enough to try it.
And when I arrive at work and open my email, I’m reminded why.
Summer sent in her dating article, and when I open the file, I can’t stop smiling.
She and Oliver wrote love letters to each other about their married dates, and it reminds me that this is why love is worth taking a chance on. Because sometimes friendships don’t just become something more—they become everything.
I sink back in my chair with the letters and devour them.
I flick the piece over to Matthew’s inbox and write Summer back with one word.
Perfect.
When the clock strikes five, Bryn calls, demanding I meet her right away at Gin Joint.
I oblige, zipping over to Chelsea, finding my bestie waiting on a plush sapphire-blue lounge.
She pops up, grinning wildly, and I know why. She texted me a week ago when it happened, and now I get to gawk.
“Show me,” I demand.
She flashes me her ring, a stunning emerald-cut diamond, gorgeous and so damn big. “They say size doesn’t matter, but when it comes to diamonds and dicks, I say it does,” I declare.
Bryn laughs deeply, pats my chest before wrapping me in a hug, and says, “And in friendship.”
“Wait, are you saying the size of my boobs matters?”
“No, your heart, sweetie.” Breaking the embrace, she taps my breastbone. “Your big, soft, mushy heart.”
I let go, bring a finger to my lips, and say, “Shh. Don’t tell anyone.”
I grab a drink, and we catch up. She tells me everything about her vacation to Canada, and I tell her about dating Ransom, and when I ask when she’s getting married, she says in the winter in Cancun.
“You’re coming, right?” she asks.
“Destination wedding? I’m there.”
“And you’ll be with Ransom?”
I tense, all my muscles going tight. My throat is dry. Will I be with Ransom then? I hope so. But even if we’re not, that won’t change anything about my friendship with Bryn.
“I plan to. But I’ll be there, with or without him.”
The words come more easily than I could have imagined before taking a risk with Ransom. It feels right to say them.
More so, it feels right to believe them.
Later that night, Ransom comes over, and when I yank open the door, I feel different.
Freer.
Like a weight has been lifted.
Truth be told, the weight’s been coming off for some time. Maybe the last of it is gone now. Or maybe voicing my certainty to Bryn made me take notice.
I pull him inside, needing to touch him, unable to resist him. I plant a hot, sensual kiss on his lips, sighing against him, savoring the taste of him.
When we break the kiss, he gives me a curious look. “You’re in an interesting mood today.”
I’m fluttery. I’m tingling. And I should feel nervous, but I don’t. I’m ready to say the words filling up my heart.
“It’s because I’m falling in love with you,” I say, and for a split second, I brace for the pain or the worry to slam into me.
Neither does.
Instead, Ransom smiles, slides a hand around my neck, and meets my gaze. “Oh, sunshine, I’m definitely already in love with you.”