Page 82 of Out to Find Freedom

His voice, a low rumble that caused my body to melt, had tears welling. I clasped my hands on the front of my chin, a couple of fingers pressing down on my trembling lips.

He was amazing.

An arm slid around my waist. I glanced at Ivy quickly but then straight back at Ryan.

“He’s wonderful,” Ivy said.

I nodded. Gently we swayed to his words, about being beautiful crazy, taking chances, and wearing hearts on sleeves.

His eyes never left me. Every word sang to me.

They hit me soul deep, and I had no doubt he meant those words for me.

How my crazy was beautiful to him.

How I amazed him.

When the song came to an end, he put his guitar on the floor, stood, and came for me. Julian and Ivy moved away. Ryan stopped right in front of me.

“Did you like it, baby doll?”

It wasn’t pretty, but I sniffed and wiped at my eyes, probably spreading mascara everywhere. “More than words can say.”

He chuckled and gently ran a finger under my eyes. His gaze met mine. “Want you livin’ with me, Emmie.”

Awestruck, I blinked slowly. “A-are you asking me to move in with you?”

His smile was sweet. “Yeah, baby doll.”

I gulped and nodded.

“Words, darlin’.”

“Yes. Yes, Ryan, I would love to move in with you.”

“Fuck yes,” he clipped, and then kissed me.

We weren’t the perfect couple. We argued, got mad, but we were us. And moving forward in life together was what mattered most to me. I couldn’t wait for our future because there was no way Ryan Warden was getting rid of me now.

“I love you, Ryan Warden,” I said against his lips.

His arms curled around me tightly. “Love you, Emmie. Always.”