Ride: Hearts Wild Series

ating her. But then he'd think of everything his mother had said about being patient, about knowing when to give the other person their space.

But seriously, how much space did she need? She had been gone for almost twenty-four hours, and when she did show up, she was going to have Quinn in tow, which would only make things that much more awkward.

Still, he had to do something. He just hadn't figured out what.

He got up to pace the room again, but just as he reached the edge of the bathroom, there was a loud knock at the door.

With a mental sigh, he called, "The 'Do Not Disturb' sign must have fallen. I don't need cleaning or turn down."

"Open the door," a female voice called, and his heart stopped in his chest.

Zoe was back, and he still hadn't come up with a damn thing to show her how sorry he was.

Quickly, he made for the door and swung it open in time for her sidestep him and wave a pad of paper in the air.

"I have some things to say," she started, and he nodded, closing the door behind him.

"Me, too."

"I'm sorry," they said as one, and each of them stared at the other for a long moment.

"Here," she said then thrust a yellow legal pad toward him.

He scanned the words first before focusing in to read more carefully.

Dear Ian,

I'm an idiot. Or, at least, I was. I have so many things to apologize for that I think I'll probably start in chronological order and work my way forward.

Firstly, I'm sorry that when I first met you, I referred to you as "Bob and Builder."

He looked up from the paper. "You called me Bob the Builder?"

She blushed. "I thought Quinn had told you."

He shook his head. "Nope."

"Well… it's sort of a compliment, if you think about it." She waved a hand. "Oh, just keep reading, okay?"

I saw you with this hot girl and then another and another, and I made assumptions about you. I worried you were luring my sister in to break her heart. That was wrong of me to assume and I should have given you a fair chance.

"Thanks." He thumped the paper, and she waved again.

"Keep reading."

Secondly, I'm sorry that I spurned your friendship when you offered it to me, and in that same token, I'm sorry I didn't realize what a gift that was.

Thirdly, I can't say I'm sorry for asking you on this trip with me. These past few days with you have been some of the craziest, most wonderful, amazing days of my life. It was an honor to get to know you and to realize the depth of character you have. I can never be sorry, even if I asked you to come with me for all the wrong reasons, because this one trip was what made me realize you were right. You are so right. Passionate love exists, and it's worth fighting for.

Which is why I'm sorry I didn't fight for you. From now on, though, I will. I'll never leave, or assume, or do any of that other headstrong shit I do—not when it comes to you. Because I love you—passionately and deeply. I love your family and your house. I love how much all of it means to you. And I love that you call me on my bullshit. So thank you, and I'm sorry I didn't say all of this sooner.

Zoe

He glanced up from the paper to look at her.

"It might be stupid," she murmured. "I mean, it occurred to me that it might be stupid, but I kept thinking of that letter your father wrote for your mother, and then I thought—"

He couldn't hold back anymore. He swept across the room and caught her up, kissing her deeply and passionately until he felt her breath quicken at his touch.