Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 96586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
She also told us during our couple’s beach weekend getaway that there have been requests for her to do a popular daytime talk show as well as be an adviser on some documentary. Why she doesn’t immediately say yes is beyond me. Nonetheless, we’re both very excited for her.
“Changing subjects,” Ry slyly insists. “So, I’m scheduled ten-hour shifts Monday through Wednesday, and we’re closed Thanksgiving-”
“I already told my parents we’re only stopping by for just a couple hours to play Uno and Two For Your Mama because we’re doing the full shebang with yours, but that Christmas is all theirs.”
There’s a happy hum out of him that leads me to believe he’s smiling. “I took off the whole weekend and Monday so that I could help grab the school’s Christmas decorations from storage with Merrick-”
“Yay!”
“And so that we could pick out our own.”
It’s impossible not to grin. “You wanna go Christmas shopping together?”
“Yeah.” His hand suddenly lands on mine. “This one is kinda extra special, ya feel me? It’s our first one together since we reconnected. Our first one together in our first place, which is technically yours for now, but mine too.”
Excitement has me enthusiastically nodding.
“Careful now,” he playfully scolds. “Don’t try to wiggle that blindfold loose.”
In spite of the blockade, I throw him a good-natured glare.
“Chill, baby,” Ry arrogantly snickers. “We’re almost there.”
Several minutes later – post parking, a winding walk through what I think is a busy office building, and up an elevator, which is actually quite terrifying when you can’t see what you’re doing – I’m finally released from my vision prison.
Ry offers me back my glasses, and I quickly put them back on. Relieved at the simple sight of him, I softly sigh, “Hi you…”
“Hey you…”
He gives me a minute to look around at the hotel event room decorated in haphazardly hung Christmas light and over the top Paris décor. Confusion kicks me at first yet the second I hear a boyband crooning over the speaker, I instantly giggle, memories of the moment this is referring to quickly kicking in.
“Over ten years ago, you were standing right here when you decided to walk out of my life.”
Sadness swiftly slips onto my peach-colored jacket covered shoulders.
“This is where you stood when you told me that I had lost you.”
The heartache increases.
“That the only person I ever loved, the only person I ever really wanted to love, was leaving me forever.”
An undeniable lump begins to grow in my throat.
“It was the most horrible moment of my entire fucking life.”
Reliving it right now isn’t exactly a picnic for me.
“I don’t remember what the theme was that year. And I don’t wanna remember it. I took away the most important thing and that was that I had fucked up beyond repair.”
My mouth twitches to say something – although I’m not completely sure what – when he lifts a gentle hand to stop me.
“This, however,” he whirls a finger around in the air, “was the theme of the year before. The year when we were still in love.”
Fondness for the change prompts a smile.
“And love is the theme I wanted tied to this moment.”
Curiosity has me quirking an eyebrow.
“This moment where I have you stand in the same spot you once said goodbye to us to say hello to our future.”
Ry’s body begins to lower itself to the ground causing me to gasp. “What are you-”
“Life without you was barely worth getting out of bed in the morning. Not giving up was one of the most difficult things I’d ever had to do. I knew the changes I was making needed to be for me. And before I knew it, I realized the changes I was making were going to be for us. With you back in my life, it felt like I could finally breathe again. I didn’t expect things to be so different between us. But they were. Eventually, I learned that was a good thing. The best thing. I know I don’t always do the smartest shit…but I’m always trying to. I’m always trying my hardest. And I’m so grateful to know that me doing that will always be enough for you, even when it’s not enough for me.” Another gasp occurs as he removes a white-gold compass rose style ring with a huge diamond in the center. “I’m asking you right here Presley Morrison, if you’ll allow me to spend the rest of our lives giving everything I have, fighting with everything I have, to make sure that we never get that lost again.”
Tears prick the sides of my eyes.
“I’m asking you to allow me through the good and the bad and the ugly and complicated to always find my way back to you, and to be the one – no matter how fucked up the circumstances – that you always find your way back to.”