in wait, he said, “Riana, you just got back together.”
“So?” His eyes rolling upward forced me to say, “Our situation is unique, Coop.”
“I know you have history, and I’m glad you have him back in your life… I really am. I just worry you aren’t thinking clearly.”
I narrowed my eyes on him. “Why aren’t I thinking clearly?”
“Well…” He guiltily gripped the back of his neck. “You’ve been through a lot, being pregnant and all—”
“If you blame hormones, I will clock you, Cooper Stanton.” Another sigh confirmed my accusation. “Okay, I’m leaving. I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” I mumbled with an impatient wave of my hand.
“Ree,” he called out, but I ignored him and stalked to the car. I got that he loved me and felt it was his job to protect me. Well, it was time he took a sabbatical. That love and concern would unintentionally become a threat to Ryder, and I wouldn’t have it.
Ryder eyed me after the door slammed shut with a metallic clunk. “You all right?”
“Yep… all good.” He didn’t look convinced yet started the car and drove us home. Frustration that my joy had been hampered caused a lump to form in my throat and tears to threaten in my eyes. Okay, maybe I was hormonal and overreacted. Needing to hide it from Ryder, I stared out the window to keep him from seeing my emotional reaction.
But when Ryder pulled the car into the underground garage ten minutes later, he twisted in his seat and insisted, “Riana. What did Cooper say?”
If I told him of my exchange with Cooper, Ryder would lose his mind. Although their relationship had improved these past few months, there was still an underlying tension between them. Until now, ignoring it had been my best approach. I was beginning to feel it needed to be addressed with Cooper, especially now that Ryder would be my husband.
Waving a hand in dismissal, I said, “He was just pulling a Cooper.”
“Let me guess…” His gaze remained laser focused on my face. “We’re moving too fast.”
“Forget him.” I took his hand and pressed it between both of mine. “Let’s not ruin a great weekend. Okay?”
The clench in his jaw meant he wasn’t happy. Regardless, he nodded and let it go. On the contrary, I knew that I’d be having a little chat with Cooper.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Riana
July
I cringed when Kayla’s nemesis appeared in the distance. Blaze was a huge dalmatian who had once mounted Kayla, and she now despised him. What made things worse: his owner was as cocky as he was. No joke, my sweetheart of a dog turned into Cujo whenever Blaze was around.
Thank God, Kayla didn’t notice him when I tugged her in the opposite direction, quickening our pace until we were far enough away and a block from home. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth, panting heavily from the exertion.
“Sorry, girl. It’s for your own good.” Cracking open the large water bottle I carried to give her a drink, she happily lapped at the stream I poured near her mouth. She then sat her butt down and looked at me expectantly. I knew in her doggie brain she thought, This is it? “Don’t look at me like that.” It wasn’t a secret she preferred Ryder to be with us because he brought her favorite tennis ball to play with. All I did with her was walk.
Each morning after having breakfast with Ryder, Kayla and I headed out before the temperatures turned to sweltering. Besides trying to get in some form of exercise, because running was a sore subject between Ryder and me, I used the time to reflect on all the blessings I’d been gifted these past few months. Walking along the beach was my preferred method of meditating. During those walks I’d recently begun thinking about a wedding that needed planning.
It was easy to see where my life would be in a year… in ten. Probably not much different than it was now. Still, it excited me to know that Ryder and I would be growing old together. I tried to imagine the places we’d visit, the people we’d meet.
With Ryder in my life, I knew I’d live just about anywhere. Regardless of where we ended up, I’d still be close to Cooper, Ricky, Rebecca, and Marco. They were family… which was why I needed Cooper and Ryder to get along. In all fairness, it wasn’t like they were at each other’s throats or anything that dramatic… more so a mutual