With a grin, he asked, "Do I look ridiculous?"
In spite of the lingering heartache, I couldn't help but snicker. "A little."
"Good. Because Iwasridiculous." His voice softened as he met my eyes. "And a fool. I'm so sorry."
I didn't answer right away. I'd done foolish things, too. But I wasn't the one who'd walked away. Just the thought of it still made me want to cry. But my eyes remained dry as I confessed, "I still don't know why you left."
"I know. And if you're willing, I'd like to explain."
He looked so earnest that something warm and unsteady spread through my chest. With a hard swallow, I asked, "So you did all of this just for a chance to explain?"
"Nah. Mostly, I wanted to see you laugh." But then his expression turned serious. "But you know what I'm hoping?"
By now, I could hardly breathe. "What?"
"That it's not for the last time."
99
Ryder Freaking Vaughn (Again)
Tessa
Sitting on the new porch swing at Maisie's, it was nearly sunset by the time Ryder finished his story. In truth, he hadn't been talking all that long – maybe twenty minutes, tops.
After that wonderfully ridiculous parade, Griff and Maisie had practically dragged us out to dinner for steak and seafood, too many drinks, and even more laughs.
I knew exactly why they'd done it – to give me and Ryder some time to relax and regroup before I said or did anything I might regret.
It was sweet. And protective. And yes, just a little maddening, because earlier on the dock, all I'd wanted was to have Ryder to myself.
Did that make me a sap?
Probably.
But if I was a sap, Ryder was, too – because the story he'd just told was so incredibly personal, I felt honored for the sharing.
With a sympathetic wince, I said, "So you lost everything? Seriously?"
"Everything," he said. "Even the house."
I tried not to dwell on the rest of it, but the thought of Ryder homeless as barely a teen just about broke my heart. "Did they ever catch him?" I meant, of course, the slick conman who'd cheated his widowed mom out of her savings, her retirement, and even her car.
And it all started with fake jewelry – diamonds and rubies the shyster had presented as real while offering romance, security,and help with her investments. In the end, the romance was fake, the security was fleeting, and the investments didn't exist.
His mom was utterly ruined.And Ryder? He'd had to toughen up quick, especially when his extended family refused to take them in. They'd told him they were sorry – and then still closed their doors.
Finally, I understood that when Ryder left, he hadn't been running from me. He'd been running from history.
In reply to my question about whether they ever caught the guy, Ryder said, "No. They didn't." His voice hardened. "ButIdid."
I blinked. "You're kidding."
"Nope."
"And?"
With a wry smile, he replied, "No comment."
