"So it's true?"
"Hey, I like fireworks." He paused. "And bonfires."
"Yeah, me too. Especially big ones. So, how can that be boring?"
"I'll tell you why." Ryder took my hand in his. "Because the house didn't haveyouin it. And you know what else?"
"What?"
"I love you."
My breath hitched. "I love you, too."
"And Tessa?"
"Yeah?"
"I won't screw up like that again."
I laughed through the sting behind my eyes. "I believe you." And then I reached for him, wanting to prove it.
Without another word, he kissed me, really kissed me, as the crickets chirped and Maisie's laughter drifted out through the open kitchen window.
And somewhere between the crickets and laughter, everything finally clicked. Home wasn't just a place. Or a person. It was the feeling I had in my heart, right here, right now, with Ryder Freaking Vaughn.
100
The Third Sign
Tessa
By October, Main Street felt like it was finally exhaling. The crowds had thinned, the air had sharpened, and the shop windows reflected the blazing glory of autumn leaves.
Yesterday, Ryder and I spent the afternoon circling the island on our new bikes, laughing like tourists with nowhere to be. Today, we took it slower, strolling hand in hand along Main Street.
As we walked, I said, "Franny says you're up to something."
He chuckled. "I'm always up tosomething."
"I know," I laughed. "That's what I told her. And you wanna know what she said?"
"What?"
"She said she's already picked out her outfit." I nudged his hip as we walked. "And just so you know, if you try to put on aRambostreet parade, I will seriously flip."
He gave me a slow sideways glance. "Flip in agoodway…or abadway?"
"Bad. Totally. There's only a million ways that could go sideways."
"How so?"
"Just think of it…the guns, the camo." I paused. "And aren't there helicopters?"
His tone grew teasing. "If you watched it, you'd know."
"Sure. Right afteryouwatchSex in the City.And I don't mean the movie. I mean the series." I lowered my voice. "The whole freaking thing."
He looked horrified at the idea. "Haveyouwatched it?"
