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“Hi there,” he rasps, turning on his charismatic charm, ignoring the fact that she interrupted him. “What’s your name?”
“I… I’m Sadie,” she stammers and nervously bites into a Firi Firi. As if the taste catches her off guard, she stares at the Tahitian donut like it’s gold. “That is…” she stops to take another bite and her eyes roll back in her head. “… ecstasy,” she hums.
“Yes!” Ryker claps once, catching everyone’s attention. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
“It’s to die for.” She glances to the cases and then the line. “I should’ve gotten a couple more.” Her voice dips with disappointment.
“There’ll be more tomorrow,” Ryker pipes up.
She zones in on me and I’m afraid she’s about to ask me to get her more. Excitement zips through me, I’m not sure I’d be able to tell her no. “What’s it called? I’m so going to tell all my friends they have to try this.”
She’s already typing on her phone when I tell her. When she’s done, she asks for a picture. With me. April takes the girl's phone so she can snap the picture of the two of us. I awkwardly place my hand on her shoulder, not sure what I’m supposed to do with my hands. She doesn’t notice and moves on to Ryker.
Just in time for the next customer.
It takes three hours to sell out of everything and get through the crowd. My hand cramps from signing my name and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
I stand, excited, staring at the empty glass case. “That was amazing!” Mila and Beatrice step over to us and I embrace them both in a group hug. “We did it.”
“No, you did it. We only helped. This was your dream, sweetheart,” Beatrice says.
Tears fill my eyes and I find her gaze. “Thanks, Mom.” Her eyes match mine almost immediately. Her hand soft and warm against my cheek.
She whispers, “Thank you.”
The pieces of my life are falling in place. A few months ago, my puzzle was bleak and boring, but now it’s full of color and hope. I glance over at Ryker, leaning against the table, looking gorgeous in his dark jeans and white button-down shirt. He looks as sexy as the day I found him naked.
I pull out of the hug and saunter over to him. “I heard you had a question for me.”
“I do.” The door swings open behind me but I ignore it, focusing on Ryker now. “Move in with me?”
“Sir, everything sold out.” I barely register Mila’s words because Ryker asked me to move in. This is a monumental step for him.
I bounce in his arms. “Yes!” It’s the perfect ending to a perfect day. “You sure you can handle this hot mess?” I tease.
He chuckles. “I think I’m an expert at handling you.” A heat wave flushes through my body thinking about last night. Yes, he is.
“Manu.”
Ryker’s expression hardens as he glares over my shoulder. He drops me and I slowly spin in place at the male voice I could pick up anywhere.
“Dante?”
Chapter Forty-Two
Aspen
Ryker’s hand tightens around my waist. Dante’s eyes drop to where his hand sits before meeting mine again. He looks different. Bigger. More intense.
“Why is he here?” Ryker snaps, his voice deep. I shake my head, surprised as much as he is.
Dean and Halli flank Dante’s sides. His brows furrow, looking between the two of them.
“He’s fine,” I say, quickly, holding my hands up so they don’t see him as a threat and guns come out.
“I’m not sure about that,” Ryker states, taking two steps to stand in front of me.
“You don’t know nothing about me.” Dante puffs out his chest, pointing at him. I squeeze Ryker’s bicep to stop him from saying more. The tension in the room is palpable and if I don’t put a stop to it, Ryker might try to make him leave himself. “Manu, can we please talk?”
