around each other. Tears blurred my eyes as I watched their joy. After they pulled apart, they tenderly wrapped an arm around me as well, thanking me for all I’ve done for them.
It was Dr. White who reminded us all that the journey was just beginning.
Chapter Seventeen
Ryder
Shit it was hot out. The way I sweltered in shorts and a polo shirt as the sun beat down made me grateful to have changed out of the suit I’d worn before leaving California.
“Where is she?” I asked no one while glancing at my watch for what seemed like the hundredth time since arriving.
It had been a crap week for me. As predicted, Doug had sent me to our LA office to run the show since his senior agent had up and quit without warning. They were dropping like flies, which made me even more suspicious that Doug had something else up his sleeve. There was a vibe I got, and because of it I had Wes keeping his ear to the pavement in Miami. He assured me nothing was out of the ordinary during my absence and even went as far as accusing me of being paranoid.
Maybe I was. Maybe, now that I had so much at stake, it created a delusional situation in my mind. Regardless, I made all the necessary calls to my clients and, so far, had a verbal agreement each of them would follow. Of course, I couldn’t let on that there was tension at Morton Sports & Entertainment. I spun it more that I was considering starting my own firm, which wasn’t a lie. Sure, a verbal agreement could easily be broken, but only time would tell.
For now, the only thing on my agenda was to get back to my girl.
When I’d texted earlier to wish her luck on the appointment she had today, Riana had no idea I had done so from the back of a cab leaving the airport and heading to Fort Lauderdale. At that point, she was at the doctor’s office, waiting to be called in. I had no frame of reference on how long those appointments lasted. After an hour with still no Riana, I grabbed an iced coffee and a sandwich at the café up the street before parking myself on a bench that faced her building.
I used the time answering emails and having a touch-base with Wes. But two-plus hours later, and with nothing left to do, I decided to wait fifteen more minutes before I called her.
All I wanted to do was surprise her… dumb move, I thought while sweating my ass off. It wasn’t as though I could leave at that point. I would have to order a ride to Miami. Nor could I let myself in, since I didn’t have a key to her place yet.
Cars continued to zoom by, each one serving as the second hand of a clock. And then, at the ten-minute mark, a black Mercedes miraculously pulled up in front. Hope turned into relief when Riana finally appeared. Her hair in an adorable ponytail and her sexy little body wearing a flirty dress flipped the reason that I’d been hot and bothered from the elements to my libido. Even from where I sat, seeing her lean legs, now tanned from Florida living, caused an adolescent reaction.
Like a bat out of hell, I anxiously tossed my trash into a garbage can, gathered my carry-on and suitcase, and made my way toward her. Just as she waved to who I recognized was Cooper, and I assumed was Ricky driving, her eyes landed on me crossing the street.
“Oh my God!” Her declaration caused the two men to swing their heads my way, but all I could focus on was the brilliant smile that spread over my girl’s face. Abandoning my luggage, I lunged and circled her in my arms, spinning us excitedly. “What an awesome surprise,” she cried out amid her sweet giggles.
“God, I missed you.” I put her down, cupped her face, and kissed her like my life depended on it. The Mercedes had yet to move, and I didn’t care… nor did I care if we were giving every passerby a nice show. But my intention was halted at the sound of a man clearing his throat.
Riana pulled away, rosy cheeks and smile in place. “Sorry, guys.” She dipped her body toward the open passenger window, and I wrapped an arm around her waist, bending in the same manner. “Ricky, this is Ryder.”
“Yeah, I