He’d spent the afternoon helping Sierra unpack her things and put them away in her drawers and cabinets. When he’d suggested they order in Chinese for dinner, she’d turned to him with an unreadable expression on her face, and his stomach had cramped badly.
“I need to run an errand,” she said from where she stood by an empty box in the bedroom.
“What kind of errand?”
She’d begun pulling clothing she’d just unpacked out of the drawers. “I, umm, I texted Jason earlier. I’m going over there to talk.”
His stomach had plummeted to the floor at the news. He’d known she wanted to talk to the man face to face, but he hadn’t thought she’d rush over there so soon.
“I have to give him his bracelet back,” she said softly. “And we have unfinished business to discuss.”
Knowing he’d had no choice, he’d nodded and left her to do what she needed to. Without pressure or influence from him.
So here he sat now, alone in the dark, nursing a beer and hating that he didn’t know what was going on between them. As much as it pained him, Sierra had been about to marry the man. Could he be having regrets over walking out and want her back?
Fuck. He ran a hand through his hair.
He wanted her back, so he couldn’t blame Jason if he was feeling the same way. And Ryder had no moral high ground to stand on. He’d dumped her when they were younger, devastating her in the process, leaving her unable to trust him, his words, or promises now.
His doorbell rang so he put the bottle on the side table and headed to answer it. Probably a neighbor, he thought. They were a friendly bunch around here, always stopping by for one reason or another.
He opened the door in time to see a car which had been parked in his driveway pull out and away. In front of him stood Sierra.
She wore a pair of tight black leggings, ballet flats, and a pink shirt molding to her curves. Her long hair fell over her shoulders in disarray, just the way he liked it. She looked good enough to eat.
He blinked. “Well, this is a surprise.”
“A good one, I hope? Because I let the Uber driver leave.”
He grinned. “Always good to see you, sweetheart.” He just wondered what she wanted. She’d taken a car out of the city and to Long Island to visit him.
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, telling him she was nervous. “Sebastian gave me your address.”
That’s right. She’d never been to his place. Never had a reason before now, he thought. “Well, come in. It’s small but I’ve renovated the whole house. Everything is new. I’d love for you to see it.”
He was proud of his work in general, but he loved his home, with the high beam wood ceilings and hardwood floors. It also had enough land and room for additions to be put on, should the time come when he needed it. And God, he hoped he needed it soon.
“Did you take care of your errand?” He forced the word out as she entered the house and he shut the door behind her.
“I did.” She faced him, her knuckles white, she was gripping her purse so hard. “That part of my life is over.”
Relief swept through him. He didn’t know what he’d expected, but if he were Jason, he wouldn’t have let her go easily. He didn’t want or need to know the details unless she offered them. What mattered to him was that she’d ended things for good with her ex and she was here now. With him.
“And then you came to me?” he asked, wondering what was going on in that enigmatic mind of hers.
“I did.”
He blew out a harsh breath. “Sweetheart, you’re going to have to give me more than two-word answers and explain where we stand.”
She laughed nervously. “Right. Well, it’s not that easy to just say it.”
“I don’t know why unless you’re here to end things with me, too.” Jesus, why the fuck had he even put that idea out there? “I told you what I wanted already. I want our dream. The one we talked about a long time ago.” His heart threatened to explode out of his chest.
“The family, kids, dog, wife, house… everything we dreamed of,” she said, repeating his words back to him.
“Yes. That.”
“With me.”
“And nobody else,” he said, staring into her blue eyes.
She visibly swallowed hard. “And you won’t ever make a decision for me that ends us. Not ever again.”
He shook his head. “Not in this lifetime or however many more I have,” he said, barely recognizing his gruff voice as he realized he was about to get everything he’d ever wanted or dreamed of. Everything that mattered to him, anyway.
“Okay. Good. Because I want the same things. The family, kids, dog, husband, house… everything we dreamed of… with you.”