I smile up at him. “That gave me all the clarity I needed.”
“Good.” He tucks my head under his chin and holds me close. “I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted to do this.”
I’m still full of disbelief, but I try to soak in the moment. Turning my head to the side, I glance at the window of the bookshop.
Where Agatha, Rosalie, Gwen, Lucy, and Suzette are all watching.
“Oh, no,” I murmur, pulling away.
“What’s wrong?” Ryder asks.
I point at the window. But the women watching us all start waving, clapping, and cheering.
“I guess they finally got their kiss scene,” Ryder says under his breath.
I snort a laugh. “I guess so.”
“Even Agatha is…happy?” Ryder comments.
“Huh. I didn’t expect that.” But in that moment, my heart sinks down to my stomach.
Agatha.
My father.
My brothers.
“Hey,” Ryder’s voice is soft, and his hand glides down my arm. “You okay?”
I blink a few times and look back at him. “Just wondering what my family is all going to think of this.”
“Oh.” He swallows hard. “Yeah.”
We’re both quiet for a minute. I’m sure Ryder is wondering about his relationship with Peter, and I’m wondering if my brothers and father will want to rescind all my new privileges.
Ugh.
But Ryder pulls me gently by the elbow until I’m back in his arms, and he leans his forehead against mine. “Let’s not worry about that now. Because right now, it’s just you and me…and a few crazy old ladies.”
“And Gwen,” I add. “Don’t forget Gwen.”
“That’s right.” He smirks. “Let’s just enjoy the night.” He nods toward the bookshop. “Do you want to go back in?”
“Not particularly,” I reply.
“To the theater?”
I shake my head.
He quirks a brow. “Then what do you want to do?”
“A little more of this,” I reply, and press my lips back to his.
CHAPTER 33
Ryder
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN — NOCTURNE NO. 2 IN E-FLAT MAJOR, OP. 55
