Ryder - SIX WEEKS LATERLexie and I flew to Croatia on December 26. I told her we could go anywhere for a week, so I was surprised when she said she wanted to go there."Not the Aspen house?" I asked.She put her hand on her stomach and gave a shrug."Maybe the year after. Even if I could ski right now, I wouldn't be able to.""Then how about someplace warm?" I put my hands over hers and wrapped my arms around her from behind. Even though her stomach looked as flat as ever, I thought I could feel the start of a bump."There's a pool that's warm. That's all I can take." She leaned back so far that her head rested on my chest. Her golden hair smelled like the rosewater shampoo I was using every day since it nowww became a fixture in my bathroom.Our bathroom."What's so special about Croatia?" I asked to find out what was going on. At this time of year, it was cold and rainy. I thought it was interesting to see the snow-covered castles and Plitvie Lakes National Park, but I was surprise
LexieI was hoping to wake up to the aroma of apple turnovers or pumpkin bread when I got up, but I didn't smell either of those things. Instead, it was the sweet and nutty aroma of freshly brewed coffee that hit me first. I shifted in my position in the bed and took a deep breath, savoring the aroma while simultaneously pondering its source. My mother always had a pot of coffee on hand for her best friend and next-door neighbor Lorraine, but my sister and I would much rather drink soda or tea. It seemed like an odd time to start brewing it for us at this point in time.As I padded out of the room, I put on an old, tattered robe that I had worn in high school and was half expecting to see Lorraine seated at the table. Instead, I was confronted by Ryder.Even though he had his back turned to me, I recognized him right away.As my jaw dropped open, my eyes travelled from his broad shoulders to the expression on my mother's face. She gave me a gentle smile. "How are you doing today?"I w
RyderWhen I was in the air, approximately halfway to the East Coast and the inevitable, Lyndon gave me a call. He inquired as to whether or not I desired for him to take any action in regard to Kim.What are you going to do about her? I echoed. "I thought you said you didn't have anything," the person asked.He said it in a matter-of-fact manner, "I told you I hadn't found anything."I understood what he meant. He always carried something in the pocket behind his back. A frame, a fix up, a trap. Should he put Kim in one? Did I want him to?I gave it some thought as I fixed my gaze on the back of the seat in front of me. If Lyndon were able to conjure up an incriminating counter to what Kim had on me, it would make my life a hell of a lot easier. Despite the fact that Samantha loved her very much, she had long since lost Samantha's ability to give her the benefit of the doubt. She would be aware that accusing me of setting her up would only serve to drive a wedge between her and Saman
LexieAfter I left Ryder’s place, I wandered around LA for hours, unable to face going to Samantha’s condo. There were too many memories there. I’d find somewhere else to go. Anywhere. But when the rain kicked up, I admitted defeat and made my way back. I had to walk past Ryder’s apartment building to get there, and I forced myself to look straight ahead. I wouldn’t look up longingly at the penthouse, and I definitely wouldn’t turn my head to stare into the lobby in hopes that he was emerging from it. I couldn’t stop my ears from listening for him though. Desperately hoping to hear my name break through the quiet night. And then to hear an explanation. An apology. And I couldn’t stop my mind from creating the picture of our reunion — romantic as a movie in the pouring rain.But it never came. Instead, I just got soaking wet by walking so slowly, and I ended up in Samantha’s condo alone.I couldn’t leave this late at night, but I could do the next best thing. For the second time, I yan
RyderAfter Lexie had left, I stood there transfixed on the elevator for the duration of the meaningless time that passed. Perhaps it was only a minute, or perhaps it lasted the whole night. When I finally tore my eyes away from what I was looking at, it was still night. That was all I knew. The air had become cooler, and the fiery red clouds that had been hovering just above were now beginning to move across the sky. In Los Angeles, the aroma of rain was neither musty nor clean. It had a flavor reminiscent of metal. A bitter aftertaste to linger. As soon as I stepped outside, I inhaled deeply of its fresh air. The first drops of rain were already beginning to fall gently. The blazing flames within the candles trembled angrily as they evaded the petty spats that were occurring between them.I stood there in front of the table for an additional uncountable amount of time, taking everything in. She'd gotten herself into a bit of a pickle. The carbonara and fettuccine were both dishes th
LexieWhen I should have been shaking with fear, I was instead overcome with an overwhelming sense of happiness. My more rational and logical side worked hard to calm it down.What exactly makes you happy about life right now? You are only twenty-three years old. You have not even begun your studies in the legal field. You intend to advance your professional life while taking care of a child? That's going to be... interesting.It's funny, because I never realized how condescending my rationalist mind could be until now. I responded to it in a defensive manner. Absolutely, there will be plenty of excitement. And amazing. Ryder accomplished this feat when he was only nineteen years old, and I can do it too. In addition to that, I won't be going at it by myself.Is that so?The internal debate that I was having with myself was interrupted by a quavering sensation of dread. When I saw the positive sign on the pregnancy test, it was like seeing the future in front of me at the same time. R