Page 49 of Deserving Ryleigh
“We don’t know that,” Ry whispered.
“When I was in that basement,” Lara said from the other side of Maisy, “I thought that was it. That I would die there. No one would ever find me. But I was wrong. Cora found me. Got me out of there…withyourhelp.”
“And when I was in that car on my way to Mexico, I had no idea how in the world it could ever end any way but badly,” Reese added. “Even when I fell into that river, I thought I was a goner. But then Gus was there. The man I’d loved for what seemed like forever, and suddenly we were safe on the bank.”
“Same for me. When I was shoved into that train car in Russia? I was sure I was a goner,” Alaska added.
“And I was positive when Jack regained his memory, he’d hate me forever,” Maisy said softly.
“Point is, we all survived our worst ordeals. And you will too. Thisisgonna end,” Cora said firmly. “It’ll work out. One way or another.”
“And if you think Tiny is gonna let anything happen to you, or The Refuge, you’re so wrong,” Henley said. “That man is totally gone for you. Has been for months.”
“Um, I’m not sure we’re talking about the same Tiny,” Ry protested, even though deep down, a blossom of hope bloomed at her friend’s words.
“Yes, we are,” Henley said. “Look, I get it. He’s struggled with everything. But even when he was being…overly protective of The Refuge, he couldn’t hide his concern for you. And lately, now that he knows your whole story? That concern is out in full force.”
Ry couldn’t deny it. “He’s way out of my league,” she said, admitting out loud something she’d been thinking for a while now.
“No, he’s not.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Are you kidding me?”
The immediate protests from her friends felt undeniably good.
“I don’t know anything about having a relationship. I’ve spent my entire life as the weirdo. The outcast. The introvert. I’ve never had a boyfriend. Sex makes me nervous, and I literally just had my first kiss the other day…atthirty-one. It’s ridiculous and pathetic.”
“I got this, ladies,” Alaska said, as she got up and came over to the couch. She knelt in front of Ry and put her hands on her calves. “I know a little about being an outcast. I didn’t have many friends, spent all my time on the outside looking in. And here I am. With a man I’ve loved all my life. Engaged. Living a life I never could’ve imagined. Tiny isnotout of your league, Ry. In fact, I’m willing to bet he thinks you’re out ofhisleague. You’re a freaking genius, girl. Could probably take out Russia, China, and North Korea’s nuclear programs with a few taps on your keyboard. Sowhatif you haven’t had arelationship before? If I’m interpreting what you said correctly, you just had your first kiss with Tiny. I bet he’s thrilled, excited, and over-the-moon proud that he was your first. Was it awful?”
“Our kiss? No!” Ry exclaimed. “It was…amazing. I always thought touching tongues with someone would be gross. It was anything but.”
Alaska was grinning from ear to ear. “My advice? Go with the flow. Continue doing what you’re doing. Open up to Tiny, he needs that honesty probably more than any of our guys. Tell him what you’re thinking, feeling. If something makes you nervous, tell him. He’ll treat you good, Ry. I have no doubt.”
“And he looks like Jake-freaking-Ryan. He was my first boy-crush,” Reese admitted.
“I really don’t think he looks much like him,” Ry said, glancing at Reese.
“What? Seriously?” Lara asked with a gasp.
“Seriously.”
“You need to watchSixteen Candlesagain, my friend. And I dare you to tell me afterward that Tiny doesn’t remind you of him,” Reese ordered.
“The movie hasn’t aged well, it’s pretty misogynistic but…at the end…when he says, ‘Yeah, you,’ I melt every time,” Maisy admitted.
Alaska squeezed Ry’s legs a little. “In a year, we’ll be sitting here, Lara with her baby, Maisy with hers, Elizabeth and Dylan toddling around getting into trouble, all of us reminiscing about how crazy things were, but how well they worked out.”
“Promise?” Ry whispered. She wanted that. Oh, how she wanted that. If she could fast-forward time and haveeverything going on just be done and over with, she’d do it. In a heartbeat.
“Promise,” Alaska said firmly.
Dylan began to fuss at that moment, and hearing the other baby’s cries, Elizabeth joined in.
“I think this is our cue to head out,” Henley said dryly.
“Same,” Reese agreed.
