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NEW YORK CITY
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[ K A R A ]
The New York air was cold and unforgiving, a clear reminder that the summer had ended. I never realized how much I didn't like living in New York City. There were no stars at night, just window lights from the skyscrapers. There were no secluded beaches I could run to, just the bodegas at every corner. And most of all, there was no Ryder Jake Williams. Period.
But still, the end of summer meant the beginning of autumn, and the fall term in Columbia had officially started. I had waited all my life for Columbia, it was my dream ever since I was little. I was finally here, and yet I felt nothing.
"This is what you're wearing?"
[ K A R A ]As my thumb was about to tap on the screen, Cole suddenly snatched my phone away from me."Hey!" I protested."Not tonight, Kar. He sends you emails every day, you read them, and then you weep for a good hour. Well, not this time. Because tonight, you're having fun," he said in a commanding tone, putting my phone in his jacket pocket.My shoulders slumped in defeat and I let out a sigh. I hated that Cole was right, I had to stop wallowing in my Ryder pity party and at least try to move on with my life. Starting tonight."You're a good friend, but I hate you right now," I pouted."How are you gonna survive the world without me, Livingston?""Oh, I'll manage,"Cole gave me a light shove and I shoved him playfully back. Bobbing my head along to the music, I then turned my gaze b
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *3 Y E A R S L A T E RNEW YORK CITY* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *[ K A R A ]Three years ago I got my heart broken for the first time. It was the worst and best experience of my life. To say that the breakup was brutal would be the understatement of the century.I still remembered the last words he spoke to me, "If you're lucky, you're only gonna see me in Thanksgiving, weddings, or funerals," That messed me up for a while. I imagined coming home for Thanksgiving five years from now and I would see Ryder again for the first time. Maybe he would bring a girl with him. And then maybe he'd get married. And I would be there, to watch him stand on the altar and give his life away to someone else. These thoughts were worse than
[ K A R A ]I blinked, and there he was still, Ryder, standing right in front of me.How is he here? Is this even real?"H-What... How... Why are you here?" I stuttered under my breath.Ryder remained calm. He gave me a weak smile before saying, "I came to see you. I wanted to congratulate you on your first book. I read it while I was on the plane earlier. It was really good, reminds me of my own first heartbreak,"Joking about it, are we?A smile escaped my lips, but I quickly gathered myself, wrinkling my nose to stop myself from smiling."You look beautiful, as always," He commented.My
[ K A R A ]I woke up the next morning to the warm sunlight and Ryder's familiar scent. But when I opened my eyes, Ryder wasn't there!"Ryder?" I murmured, foolishly thinking he would somehow appear out of thin air.My bed was messy and my clothes were scattered everywhere, a clear sign that I wasn't dreaming about last night. My heartbeat suddenly quickened as the thought came to mind: did he just leave?I quickly pulled myself up, ignoring the soreness of my muscles, and put on the first shirt I saw on the floor. I raced out of my bedroom door, and my heart stopped when I saw the most unimaginable thing possible. Ryder was shirtless in my kitchen, holding a spatula and flipping a pancake."You looked like you've seen a ghost," he commented when he saw me."I thought you left..."He cocked his head to the s
[ K A R A ]As I walked out of my apartment and away from Ryder's presence, my brain was finally functioning again. True, I had to admit, my feelings for Ryder were still there. He caught me off guard by showing up unexpectedly and I lost sight of myself last night.Still, I had to go with my brain on this one. I mean, what the hell was Ryder thinking? Coming here all of a sudden and telling me that he still loves me, what the flapjacks was he trying to do? Ruin our family? And me, I had built a new life here, a better life for myself now. Ryder was never supposed to be in the picture.Maybe he just loves you too much, my stupid heart said.You're pathetic, shut your pie hole, my brain spat back.Ugh, this was gonna be a long day.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
[ K A R A ]Ryder's eyes were dark and serious. He wasn't kidding about it, wasn't he? Was I hearing him right or did he really just ask me to go off and run away with him?"Just try this Kara, imagine your life with me,” he said again. “Five years from now, ten years from now. We'd be together, somewhere in the world that's beautiful and warm. We'd live by the beach, I'll hold your hand every night, I'll make you pancakes every morning," he was smiling from ear to ear, and it was making my stomach twist into knots.All those things sounded wonderful. I could just picture it, Ryder and I starting a new life together, we could build a nice home for ourselves, and maybe someday even start our own family."Is that a smile? I see a smile," he commented at my face.I quickly pulled myself together. Was I really smiling?"
[ K A R A ]Waking up next to Ryder in the morning was like curling up next to the fireplace with a good book, it was warm, cozy, and you won't ever want to leave.And the best part of it all? I get to do it every single day now."Mmhm, I love days that begin with you next to me," he murmured to my ears as he pulled me so I was on top of him. "In bed. Naked,""Ryder!" I hissed, "I have to get to class," I said it playfully, while I gave him little kisses on his nose. He bit his lip and smirked."Careful now, don't tease too much, or you'll have a rough night tonight,"I rolled my eyes and I was about to get up, when suddenly he pulled me back down and started kissing my neck, sending shivers up and down my spine. It took everything in me to pull myself back up and put my feet on the floor. Ryder followed me up and he ju
[ K A R A ]"Kara, if you go... you're gonna lose me, forever,"Those were the last words that Cole said to me before we parted ways. No matter how much I wanted to believe that it wasn’t true, I knew it was true. He meant what he said. In the fight for Ryder and I’s happy ending, I had lost my best friend.When I got home later that night, Ryder saw the look on my face and he immediately knew that something was wrong. With a worried look on his eyes, Ryder got up from the couch, walked over to me, and cupped my face in his hands.“Hey, have you been crying?” he asked softly. “Baby, what’s wrong?”I didn’t want to tell him. I didn’t want him to worry about me or change his mind about us.So I just shook my head and said, “It’s nothing… I just saw lost puppy
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TWO YEARS LATER GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * [ R Y D E R ] The dawn was breaking outside the window. This bluish and orange light was creeping up the night sky, signaling the beginning of yet another day. 6:30 AM, the clock read. Kara was still sound asleep, maybe last night took a toll on her? Last night was... a lot of fun. I was getting hard all over again just thinking about it. Slowly I rolled over to my side, carefully wrapping her tiny body in my arms. My fingers ran to caress her soft cheeks. "Hey..." I murmured to her ears as she shuffled a little. "Mmhmm," she mumbled, still closing her eyes. "Merry Christmas, baby," It was Christmas day in Australia, you would not have guessed it from the weather outside. It was 85 degrees and nothing but sunshine on the horizon. Apparently, that was how Christmas was done over here in the land down under. Kara wasn’t saying anything. She refused to wake up
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *ONE YEAR LATERTAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *[ K A R A ]“Ry…?”I woke up this morning shivering and cold. This usually wouldn’t happen. Especially that we were living in Tahiti now, it was 80 degrees outside. And normally, I would wake up with Ryder’s body wrapping around mine like a blanket. He always made me feel warm, so I didn’t even need a duvet. But today, I woke up with the bed empty and it felt cold.“Ry?” I said again, but I heard no answer.I stirred in bed and slowly propped myself up. Ryder wasn’t anywhere in the room. I glanced at the clock and it was still 5 o’clock in the
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *ONE MONTH LATERHUNTINGTON BEACH, CA* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *[ K A R A ]The first thing I noticed about California was the air. The air was salty, but breezy and cool. Ryder and I arrived in the golden state a few days ago. We were living in a cute little Airbnb right by the beach. It was the coolest thing ever.Every morning, Ryder would go out to train by the beach. The first contest on his world tour would be held here next week. Every morning, I would wake up with him, make coffee, and I’d do a little writing as I
* This is a bonus chapter with Peter and Lacey's POV. Enjoy! *[ P E T E R ]“It’s a great wedding, huh?”My eyes were glancing around the room and I locked eyes with my ex-wife. We exchanged a smile and I thought it was polite to make small talk. What I didn't realize was how awkward it was, talking to my ex-wife at our children’s wedding.“Yeah, it is,” she replied.I was holding a glass of scotch and she was holding a glass of champagne. We were both standing by the sidelines, watching our two kids share the dance floor as bride and groom. It was quite an ironic sight. Life had a pretty crazy sense of humor. I remembered a few years ago when it was Lacey and me out on this dance floor, dancing as the bride and groom. We were so happy back then. We thought we were in it for the long haul. And yet here we were, only a
* This is a bonus chapter from Elle and Cole's POV. Enjoy! *[ E L L E ]It was a beautiful night in Hawaii and a wonderful wedding. My best friend, Kara, just got married to the love of her life and I couldn’t be more proud. Today was supposed to be one of the happiest days of our lives, but it felt rather bittersweet.One person’s happiness is another person’s tragedy.I saw Cole standing silently by the sidelines and my heart sunk to my feet. Cole had been in love with Kara for years. That was actually how we met and became friends. He was introduced to me by a friend and he was telling me how he was in love with his best friend. I thought guys like him were so adorable. They were a rare breed. He was so thoughtful and kind. They don’t make guys like this anymore.I decided to help him win the heart of his best friend,
[ R Y D E R ]Kara was probably thinking that I was taking her up to our room, but no. I liked to keep things interesting.So instead, we got some milkshake from my favorite diner and made our way to our Secret Beach. The night was young and full of possibilities. We were giddy and excited, laughing at each other as walked down the beach, barefoot with our hands clasped together. I was reduced to a grinning and smirking mess. Thankfully, she was too."Kara, you're smiling like crazy," I commented."It's because I'm crazy about you, Ryder Jake Williams,""You're so perfect in every way. I'm the luckiest man alive," I stopped our tracks and stood right in front of her.I reached out to hold her hand, and I caught her by her wrist. She flinched when I touched the scar over her tattoo. It had healed, but the mark was still there.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *ONE WEEK LATERKAUAI, HAWAII* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *[ K A R A ]"Oh my God!” mom gasped as soon as I walked into the room. “Ryder's gonna go crazy when he sees you,""Mom!" I hissed and looked away, totally embarrassed."Seriously though, if I swing that way, I would've married you right now," Elle added.It was our wedding day today and I was all dressed up in the bride’s attire. I had curled my hair and let them down, and I was wearing this lovely white lace gown that cascaded down my body so heavenly. When I looked into the mirror, I was in awe too, I couldn't believe myself when I saw my reflection.Ryder going crazy... a girl can only hope.
[ K A R A ]The next thing I know, Ryder and I were driving down the highway in this convertible car. The summer wind was blowing through our hair and Ryder was holding my hand in his throughout the entire ride."We just passed the city limits,” I noted the sign. “Seriously, you're not gonna tell me where we're going?""And ruin the surprise? I think not,""Okay... just answer this then, is it somewhere where we could get a milkshake?" I said it naughtily."Damn, look at you go," he stifled a laugh."Six months of being away from you would do this to a girl,""Baby, I wish I could. But, actually, I want to wait," he said suddenly. "I wanna be that whatever unicorn-guy you've been dreaming of. I'll be that guy that waits for you and loves you no matter what,""What?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *SIX MONTHS LATERNEW YORK CITY* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *[ K A R A ]"I still can't believe you're getting married to Ryder next week," mom said as she stomped to the kitchen with our dirty plates."You've known him how long exactly? Three months?" she teased, referring to the time when I argued with her over her choices on marrying Peter."Ha-ha, very funny," I laughed sarcastically as I stalked to the living room to continue packing my things.There was so much stuff that I had to sort through, my room was a mess. I even had to use the living room because there wasn't enough space. And now the living room looked like the ballroom in Titanic as they were sinking.If you were