a realtor, he’s going to help me find a place.” He shot a glance at Ryan who was coming toward them. “I’m glad the two of you figured it out.”
She smiled. “Thanks. I am, too.”
Ryan came and slung his arm around her shoulders and grinned at Donovan. “Are you coming to the Boathouse tomorrow night?”
She was surprised to see the look they exchanged.
“I’ll be there.”
She looked up at Ryan. “Am I invited?”
He laughed. “Of course, you are. I thought you knew. Everyone’s meeting up for dinner.”
She rolled her eyes at Donovan. “Get this guy. He’s organizing my social life for me already.”
Donovan laughed. “Don’t look at me. I’m not getting in the middle of it. You both scare me.”
Ryan laughed. “Well, now you know you don’t need to be scared. But I appreciate that you were willing to step up for Lee like that—when she still thought I was the big bad wolf.”
She laughed and pushed at his arm. “I didn’t ask Donovan to protect me from you. I’m quite capable of doing that for myself.”
Ryan rolled his eyes at Donovan. “Don’t I know it. But come on. We’re heading home.”
“See you tomorrow, Donovan.”
Leanne glanced back at him as Ryan led her away and he smiled. She was glad she hadn’t needed his help with Ryan in the way she’d thought. But she was still glad he was here.
Ryan opened the door to his truck for her and put his hand on her ass to give her a boost as she climbed in. She turned around and slapped at his hand. “I liked it better when you used to kiss me when I got in.”
He grinned and held his hands up. “What can I say? I’ve missed your ass!”
She laughed. “Aren’t you the mad, romantic fool?”
“I am. I’ve missed your kisses, too.” He blew her a kiss. And added, “But, man, that ass!” before he closed the door.
She was still laughing when he came around and got in the driver’s side.
“Home?”
“I feel like I am.”
He leaned across the console and kissed her. “I do, too. We might have taken a roundabout route, but we’re exactly where we said we would be when I got out.”
“I guess we are, aren’t we?”
He gave her a look she couldn’t fathom. “Well, not exactly, but almost.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
~ ~ ~
Ryan felt for the little box in his pocket before he pulled away. He’d been carrying it with him ever since Wednesday morning. There had been so many times over the years that he’d almost convinced himself to throw it away. But he could never make himself do it. Now, he couldn’t be happier that he’d kept it. He wanted to believe that part of him had always known.
He pulled straight into the garage when he got home, then he looked over at her. “Do we need to buy you a car?”
“No. Mine’s at my apartment. I’ll have to drive it up here when I go back.”
“I’m going with you.”
She laughed. “I’m a big girl, Ryan. I don’t need—”
He gave her a stern look. “I’m not saying you need. I’m saying I want. Unless you don’t want me to go with you? Are you still at the same place?” He winked. “We could recreate history in the elevator?”
“No. I’ve done well for myself. I have a bigger place.”
He nodded and let it go. He didn’t want to think about her life in the years they’d lost. Didn’t want to know where she’d lived or if she’d lived with anyone.
“Will you keep it—your apartment?” Suddenly he needed to know that she didn’t want it, that a life here with him was all she wanted now.
She raised an eyebrow. “Do I need to?”
“Not only no, but hell no!”
She smiled. “Good. But can we go inside now or is there a reason we’re still sitting out here.”
He touched the box in his pocket again. He kept searching for the right moment. But this wasn’t it. He couldn’t get down on one knee while they were still in the truck.
He got out and went around to her door to lift her down. When her feet touched the floor, he dropped a kiss on her lips. “Have I told you today how beautiful you are?”
She laughed. “Only if telling me that you missed my ass counts.”
He hung his head in shame. “I can’t help it. I’ve always loved your ass. And your …” He brought his hands up and held them close to but