Challenging Ryker (Kringle Security #2)

Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

She didn't get more than one foot in the door before Ryker was pouncing on her.

"I have a gift for you."

He reminded her of a kid who either needed to use the bathroom or was so excited about something they couldn't contain themselves. Based on his words, she knew it was the latter but it was funny to watch him bouncing back and forth on his toes.

This was the man she had first met. The one who was cheerful and loved to make others smile. The only difference was this time the happiness looked genuine, not like something he was forcing himself to do for the sake of others.

"Is it still considered a gift if the person already knows what they are getting?" she laughed.

He had gone out to buy her an anklet, so it was the most logical guess that's what he had for her. Her question didn't dim his happiness in the slightest though.

"Yes! Because you didn't see it, therefore it's still a surprise."

Amelia thought about the reasoning of that for a moment. Okay, she would give him that one for now. Only because he looked so happy and who was she to ruin that.

"Do I get to see this gift or do I have to wait for a special occasion?"

Ryker burst out laughing as he dragged her over to the couch. It was turning out to be her favorite spot in the house because it was where they could just be themselves and cuddle. She hadn't told him yet, but she was glad he chose to take her upstairs to their bed when they made love yesterday. It kept their happy place sacred.

"Oh, sweetheart. One thing you need to learn about me is that I suck at keeping secrets when it comes to gifts. You'll get every one of them the day I buy it. I'm not good at containing my excitement."

Those damn emotions were threatening to overtake her once again.

"Are you planning to keep me around that long?" She meant it as a joke, but of course, Ryker got serious on her.

"I told you this morning I was going to be bad at this but I wanted to try. I haven't changed my mind just because I got out of the house for a little while. In fact, after my conversation with Nash, I like to think I'm more ready than I was even this morning."

"What did Nash say?"

"It wasn't really what he said but what he confessed to me after all these years."

Ryker was twisting their fingers together where they rested on his knee. They were sitting on the couch facing each other. She with both legs tucked under her and him with one knee on the cushion between them.

"The guys have been keeping my mom in the loop since they met me. I thought all this time I was pushing her away, but the reality is, she was using the only method of communication I left her with to make sure her only surviving child was okay."

Yup, that did it. She couldn't hold the tears back if she tried.

"Don't cry." He swiped her cheek with his free hand. Concern was written all over his face. "Shit, I didn't mean to make you cry."

"They're happy tears. I'm so glad you’ve had great friends in your corner all these years."

Ryker deserved that. He never should've taken the guilt on to begin with but it was good to know he had people in his life who cared enough about him to speak with his mother rather than let him sever that connection knowing one day he would regret it.

"They aren't just my friends. They've pulled you in as well."

She was done for. There was no containing the tears even if she wanted to, and truth be told, she didn't want to. They were happy tears, damn it, and the world deserved to know how happy she was. Even if the only person who saw it was Ryker.

He had done that for her. Actually, it started with Monica but it was Ryker who brought his friends fully into her life. Before that, she was just living on the outskirts. The receptionist who got asked if she wanted anything when one of the guys went out to get Monica food.

"Are you ready for your gift now?"

She nodded her head eagerly, and out of the blue, he produced a thin rectangular box.

"I had an idea in my mind when I went looking. I'm glad I was able to find what I wanted. I hope you like it." Suddenly Ryker sounded nervous.

Amelia slid the bow off the box and opened it slowly. Sitting on a white pillow bed was the most beautiful and delicate chain she had ever seen.

"It's gorgeous." She gasped. She couldn’t stop the huge smile from spreading across her face.

The two puzzle pieces fit perfectly together, but it was the broken heart on each piece that set butterflies off in her belly.

"I know no one wants to admit they’re broken, but you're the reason that, for the first time in twenty years, I feel like I'm finally close to being whole again."

"It's okay to admit when something is broken because it just means there is the potential for it to be fixed. You started that process when you rescued me from what likely would've been my ruin. I have no doubt I wasn't supposed to make it through that week alive, so thank you for caring enough to show up."

Amelia threw her arms around Ryker's neck and held on tight. She felt the last piece slide in and like the gift he had given her, their puzzle was complete.

"You haven't told me how your first day in the new position went."

She smirked. Leave it to Ryker to jump from one discussion straight to the next. He was like a squirrel on crack. He said whatever the hell popped into his mind as soon as he thought it and didn't have a care in the world about what else was being discussed at the time.

"Considering I spent most of my time with HR going over my new contract and the rest of the time showing the intern how to do my old job, it wasn't too bad. Things will be different once Monica reassigns clients to me. I know she’s taken over most of the ones from Carmichael with the stipulation that they would have someone new within six months. My guess is I will get some of them to start."

"Are you excited?" he asked with genuine interest.

They settled back into the couch as Ryker toyed with a lock of her hair. It was strange how normal it all felt. They hadn't known each other long enough for there to be such familiarity.

"More nervous than excited. This was always my goal but I thought I would have more time to get accustomed to the idea. You know, apply for the position, interview, and then wait on pins and needles to hear if I got it. I didn't expect to be told one day, here you go."

"You know Monica wouldn't have promoted you if she didn't think you were ready."

That was exactly what her boss had said. Monica took her position seriously, and Amelia had to consider how hard she fought to be in the position she was in. But that didn't stop the nagging doubt from rearing its ugly head every once in a while. She knew that had more to do with the doubts Gavin instilled in her than how she actually felt. Ryker wasn't the only work in progress in their relationship.

"I know that, and to be honest, it was probably better for me, mentally, this way. I have a tendency to overanalyze myself during interviews and then afterward. I'll spend the days waiting to find out nitpicking everything I could've done better, so really this was the better option."

"Then I'm glad it happened this way for you, but we need to celebrate. How does Tablas Woodstone Taverna sound?"

Amelia moaned. "Oh my God, yes. I would kill for a power grain bowl right about now."

Ryker's eyes darkened. "Keep making noises like that and we won't be going anywhere but upstairs to our bed."

As much as she loved the sound of that, her stomach chose that moment to remind her that she missed out on lunch.

Ryker got up off the couch and yanked her with him. "Our bed will have to wait. My woman needs to be fed to have enough energy for my plans later."

My woman.

It was crazy how much she liked hearing that.