A beat later, I realize I don’t really know that. Just because the gun didn’t go off doesn’t mean Daniel didn’t get some goodhits in. So I jerk away from Ryan and inspect his face, then his body, searching for some sign of injury.
Ryan smiles, then pulls me into his arms again. “He didn’t hurt me. He was too surprised to do much of anything. And—” He pauses. “I’ve been taking karate classes for years. So I had the advantage.”
Relieved tears spring to my eyes. “You’re really okay.”
His lips press to the top of my head. “I am.”
In the background, I hear someone on the phone, saying, “The hostage-taker is down. No, not dead. But he’s tied up. And we got the gun away from him.”
Well,Ryandid. But I’m not going to argue semantics right now.
“Come on,” Ryan says. He moves me to his side, keeping his arm wrapped tightly around me. “Let’s get that insulin. Okay?”
“Okay.” As we head to the counter, I add, “But after. Once we get out of here. Will you go out with me? I promised myself I’d ask if?—”
“Willow.” Ryan grins at me, and some of the horror of the day slips away. “I was going to askyouout after this. You beat me to it.”
“You were?”
He nods. “I was. I’ve wanted to. There were always reasons, but… they don’t seem very important anymore.”
“No, they don’t,” I agree. “And I’ve thought about it, too.”
Ryan snags my purse from the counter just as the police come swarming in. He flashes me another smile. “Well. The answer is yes. Definitely.”
“What about tonight?” I blurt. “If you don’t have plans. We could watch a Christmas movie and you could try some ofmyeggnog to see if you like it.”
“Will you be up for it?” he asks. “After all this?”
Up for spending time with my personal hero, Ryan, after years of wonderingwhat if?
“Yes,” I tell him firmly. “I willdefinitelybe up for it.”
CHAPTER 4
RYAN
Of all the ways I expected my day to end, this wasn’t one of them.
But it’s the best way, really.
Yes, I was taken hostage in the town gift shop and held at gunpoint.
Yes, I took an incredible risk.
As hopeful as I was about my plan, it could have easily gone south. The flashlight might not have been as bright as I remembered. My aim could have been bad. Or Daniel could have gotten a shot off right away and I could be spending Christmas Eve in the hospital instead of at Willow’s very cute apartment.
But everything worked out.
Willow got her insulin in time.
Daniel was towed off to jail.
All the hostages were free to go back to their families, still shaken, but safe.
Emily Diamond hugged me, crying, before she went home with her husband. “Thank you,” she sobbed. “I was so scared I wouldn’t see my babies again. But thanks to you, I will.”
She wasn’t the only one of the hostages who implied—or outright said—I was a hero. But I don’t feel like I am. I feel like an ordinary man who was just trying to protect someone he cares about.
