“So you love him back?”
I smiled. “Yeah, I do. In spite of everything. He’s put me through hell, that one, and honestly, I hate him a little bit for it. Love is funny that way.”
Inari finished her sandwich and sat back in her chair.
“I told Hawk I loved him after our first fight. Actually, it was during our first fight. I was so mad at him, and I’d never experienced that kind of pure anger before. That was when I knew I loved him.”
I didn’t get it.
“You told your husband you loved him when you were pissed at him?”
“Yup. My feeling is that if someone can affect you like that, it means you care about them that much. I wouldn’t love him so intensely if he couldn’t make me that angry.” It didn’t make much sense to me, but I’d go with it.
“Sure,” I said, finishing my drink. Inari just gave me one of her knowing, worldly looks.
“I hate it when you do that. I know I’m older than you, but I hate when you get that superior look on your face.”
She tossed her dreadlocks over her shoulder and shrugged.
“You’ll learn.”
~*~*~
I was in such a good mood, my staff and interns were even more terrified of me than usual. I even caught a few of them whispering about me being possessed. Hilarious. I wasn’t even mad, so I let them go early without even yelling. I also promised to bring in donuts the next day.
Funny, I thought I’d be all depressed and melancholy when Ryder left, but I felt as light as a balloon, like I was going to float away at any moment.
I listened to the message a few more times on my way home and headed to Rory’s apartment without even stopping at my own. I knocked on the door, hoping she’d be there.
She opened it with a grin. “Well?” She must know or else she wouldn’t be smiling like that.
“He said he loved me. And then he said my name thirty times.” She looked a little confused about the name part.
“It’s a thing. Anyway, he said he loved me,” I said. The more I said it, the happier I felt. Could one die from happiness? I hoped not.
“That’s amazing. I’m so happy for you,” she said, giving me a hug.
“Wow, okay. You were so down on me and Ryder being together. What’s with the change?”
She put her arm around me, and we sat on the couch together.
“I’m not sure,” she said. Lucah didn’t seem to be home and I wondered where he was. “Lucah’s at Tate’s. He’ll be back for dinner.”
“Oh.”
“Anyway, I don’t know. I guess I just stopped fighting it. When you and Ryder met, the two of you seemed so . . .”
“Inevitable,” I supplied. That was exactly the right word. Ryder and I were inevitable.
“Yes. But he was so messed up at the time, and you’re my best friend, and I didn’t want anything to happen to you. I didn’t know what he was involved in, but Lucah told me some stories, and that was more than enough for me to want you to steer clear of him. He was a mess, and I didn’t want him screwing up your life.” I couldn’t argue with her. It was all true. I’d known he was potentially bad news from the very start. Didn’t stop me from wanting him though.
“And then he did mess things up, but I could still see that connection. I knew it wasn’t just about sex, but I still didn’t want you with him.”
“And now?” I asked.
She let out a breath and smiled. “Now I know that the two of you are inevitable. You can’t fight something like that. It’s going to happen, and you have to hold on for the ride. I fought Lucah so hard, and it only pushed me closer to him. And this time I really think he’s going to get his life together.”
I smiled. “Me too.” We didn’t talk about what would happen if he didn’t. Right now, I was still basking in the glow of his declaration of love. I couldn’t see anything else through the haze of happiness.