- I just came here to think for a while and took the opportunity to see what the campus facilities looked like.
- But why didn't you tell Jane you were coming to Boston? Why did you make me desperate for your absence?
- Because you wanted some time for me and, I'm sure, Jane would tell you where I was. - I let out a sigh, taking his face in my hands. - I was angry with you. I didn't want to hear it yet.
- You were? - he asks, with apprehension. - You mean you're not here anymore? That I'm forgiven?
The naughty look and, at the same time, that he addresses to me, makes me smile. Without resisting, I kneel to stay at the same height as Ryder.
- Yes, you're forgiven! - I whisper, kissing Ryder's cheek. - I love you too!
- Oh, thank God! - he says, holding me tight. - When you didn't answer me, I felt pathetic.
- Ryder, you're pathetic! - I mean, laughing. He contracts a frown, making mention of speaking, but I interrupt him. - You're my pathetic, and I wouldn't change anything about you. Not even this explosive genius of yours.
Ryder lets out a laugh, and without being able to contain himself, he kisses me voraciously. I'd forgotten what that kiss felt like on my body. It was like floating around the Earth and landing softly.
- I missed you so much, sunshine! - he whispers between his lips.
- I missed you too! - I whisper a confession.
For a few seconds, the world didn't seem to exist. I surrender to Ryder's explosive kiss. With one hand, he holds my neck gently, while he pulls me towards his chest, with the other. I grab onto your neck like I'm grabbing a life-saving buoy. I feel a vertigo that makes me lose my strength momentarily and I go away to breathe. Worried, Ryder holds my elbows, holding me.
- Brooke? Are you all right? - He asks, frowning. - It's pale and icy!
Ryder passes his hands through my arms, rubbing hard, with the intention that it will warm my skin.
- I don't know! - I whisper, putting my hand on my forehead. - I've been having these dizzy spells for a few days now. I think I have some viral or flu.
- Well, you need a doctor in this case.
- I know! That's why I'll consult with one as soon as I get to New York.
- We can talk to Ryan if you want. - says Ryder, helping me up. - I think he can guide us, even over the phone.
- No, your uncle's too busy. - I say smiling. - I think I can wait until we get back.
- Are you sure you're all right? He asks again.
- Yeah! - I say settling down. - I think it's just a little weakness.
- All right! All right! In this case... - He takes a break, grabbing his wallet. - I think you should feed.
- I don't know, no! - I mean, making a face. - When I can eat something, I usually throw up next.
Ryder approaches, kissing my forehead.
- You'll have to make an effort.
Sighing, I sign and grab my coat hanging from the back of the chair. We head for the hotel restaurant, where Ryder asks if they make omelettes. He asks for strawberries to be added. The waiter is amazed, but continues with the request for the chef, who makes the most succulent, strawberry omelette. It wasn't exactly like Ryder's, but the smell caused my stomach to snore, awakening a long dormant appetite. I devour the omelets in seconds. At any given moment, Ryder begins a matter cautiously.
- As soon as you left, I realized I was acting like an idiot for all these years. So I picked up the phone and set up a meeting with Leila.
- Really? - I mean, stopping for some tea. - How'd it go?
- She said that she still loved me and that this was the reason why my father divorced her. - Ryder takes a break to sigh. - I saw the papers, Brooke. He annulled the prenup.
- So she betrayed him.
- I believe so. - Ryder, sit on your shoulders. - So I didn't believe her when she said she still loved me. I'm sure Leila wants an asshole to pay her bills. I told her that I was already someone's asshole and that I loved her too much to leave her for some gig.
I swing my head from side to side. Ryder didn't know how to measure words and would have to learn if he still wanted to become the CEO of his own company. I was willing to teach him to be a little more tactful.
- So subtle, isn't it, Mr. Taylor? - I mean, ironic.
- You know me, Miss Evans! - he returns in the same tone. - I made it clear that nothing could separate me from you. She pretended to cry, kicked, got desperate, but in the end, she accepted when I asked her not to look for me anymore.
Sighing, shrugging. Although he was an ogre in subtlety, he had to congratulate Ryder for being brave and following my advice. I was happy that he had put an end to that story with Leila. Even if our relationship didn't last, at least he wouldn't live with that ghost anymore. Now all that was missing was for Ryder to forgive his father.
After dinner, we returned to the room, where Ryder offered to give me a massage, when I mentioned that she
