Page 53 of Choosing Us

Okay, I might be a little envious too, but if I had to pick, I’d still choose to be here with Ryan. Plus, despite what the tabloids say, I’ve never believed the stories that Tinsley and Fiona are rivals—rivals do not put on joint concerts like this. I also have seen the Instagram stories of the two together, and I think it’s more believable that they are best friends, not rivals.

People tend to believe the more salacious narrative when they’re presented with information about celebrities, especially fans who have a parasocial relationship with their favorite star, but the reality is that tabloids are an entertainment source which profit when people are, in fact, entertained. Truth is not required, but whatever gets clicks and shares are the stories that make it to the top of the page.

“Everyone! Stop! This is not a drill! Jack is FaceTiming me!” Savannah yells over everyone. Liam snatches her phone, and with a few clicks, Savannah’s screen is streaming to the large television over the fireplace in the living room.

“Hey guys, Happy New Year!” Jack yells as the noise from the concert floods the room.

“Uncle Jack! Show us! Show us!” Eloise screams at her uncle, who, despite being in a loud location himself, winces at the volume of the demand.

“Nice to see you, too,” he replies before flipping the camera view, and there they are: Tinsley Sinclair and Fiona Skye, singing one of Fiona’s biggest hits together on stage. Jack is on the side of the stage, so we have a better view of the band than the singers, but it’s still a neat experience to see firsthand.

“You’re officially uncle of the year,” Vivian calls out as objections are raised by Ryan, Finn, and Walker in the room.

“Boys, let him have the win. There are only two hours left of his reign,” Liam says as he raises a drink to the phone Savannah is holding up so Jack can see everyone.

“Tomorrow is a new day, and year, and it is on, gentlemen!” Finn calls out and raises his fist as though he’s leading an army.

A loud laugh escapes me, and I can’t even blame alcohol as I slap my hand over my mouth. Ryan’s head snaps toward me in the midst of bickering with his brothers, and a slow smile spreads across his face as he waves them off and walks toward me.

He reaches up and tugs my hand away from my mouth before interlacing our fingers together. “Don’t do that, Lo. Don’t hide.” His voice is soft, but the words hit me like a ton of bricks.

This man sees me—and wants to see everything.

I swallow the emotions threatening to escape as he tugs me out of my chair. Ryan looks around the room at his family still talking to Jack then leads me through the kitchen without a word and out the back door to the covered deck.

There are bistro lights crisscrossing along the ceiling, illuminating the space in a soft glow. Ryan leads me past a row of rocking chairs and around the corner to what I see is a wraparound deck. Once we are on the side of the house, he pulls me toward him and backs me into the wall. My hands fall to his chest, and I have to tilt my head up to meet his gaze. I’m only five-four, and Ryan at six-three leaves a significant height difference. My three-inch heels that I’m wearing tonight help, but it’s still quite the vertical gap.

Ryan is assessing my face with the smallest smile on his.

I take a deep breath and try not to overanalyze this moment. I don’t want to be in an analytical mindset for this. I want to be fully immersed in this moment and lock it firmly into my memories, because I have a feeling that everything is about to change—in the very best way.

He slowly lowers his head and closes the gap, resting his forehead against mine. I take a deep breath, instinctively closing my eyes. With one hand on my lower hip, he slides his other hand along my jaw as I lean into his touch.

“Eyes on me, Lo,” he softly commands, and I immediately comply, but when I look into his eyes, the emotions there steal my breath.

“Okay,” I whisper; he hums in reply.

“I don’t want you to hide your light, especially around me. I don’t want you to dim yourself. You’re brilliant.”

“So I’ve been told,” I quip.

“No, not intelligent brilliant. I mean, yes, you are, everyone knows that, and it’s great. But when I say you’re brilliant, what I’m mean is that you are radiant. You’re physically beautiful, but I think your inner beauty is what I find most captivating. You are thoughtful, kind, generous, and so damn sweet.”

He traces his thumb along the bottom of my lip, and a small, involuntary gasp escapes me. Ryan searches my eyes, and I take the opportunity to run my hands up his firm chest and slide one hand into the back of his hair.

I don’t know who this bold version of myself is tonight, maybe it’s inspiration from the last book Savannah had the book club read, but this version isn’t hesitating to be present and to seize the opportunity to be physically close to this man.

As soon as my fingers slide into his hair, Ryan’s mouth crashes into mine.

I’ve been kissed before—granted, not that many times in my life—but enough to have experience.

But the lightning bolt that shoots through my entire being as Ryan kisses me erases any standards I thought I had. A great kiss? I had no idea this kind of kiss was even possible, and that’s before the man nips my lip and pulls back, both of us breathing hard.

“You bit me,” I blurt out, my words escaping because my brain is offline.

“A little love bite. Is that okay?”

“I … yes, I think so. I just—” He peers down, waiting for me to say something, but I don’t want to discuss this.