Twenty
Ryan waved Tripp to the booth he’d secured at the back of the Daily Grind.
Tripp was an uncomplicated guy who always ordered the same thing. At the Royal Diner, a stack of pancakes, two eggs over easy, crispy bacon and black coffee. Here at the Daily Grind, a bear claw that rivaled the size of one’s head and a cup of black coffee, two sugars.
Ryan had placed their order as soon as he’d arrived, wanting to get right down to their conversation.
His friend slid into the booth and looked at the plate on the table and his cup of coffee. “You already ordered for me?”
“Don’t worry. It’s still hot. I picked up our order two minutes ago.”
Tripp sipped his coffee. “Why do I have the feeling that I’m about to get some really bad news?”
“Depends on your point of view, I guess.” Ryan shoved the still warm cinnamon bun aside, his hands pressed to the table.
“It must be really bad. Did something happen to our parents on the cruise?”
“It’s nothing like that.” Ryan swallowed hard, tapping the table lightly. He looked up squarely at his friend. “I just... I need to tell you that I broke my promise to you...about Tess.” Ryan sat back in the booth. “Tripp, I love her. I think I always have.”
“I see.” Tripp’s gaze hardened. “Since you’re coming to me with this, it’s probably safe to assume you’re already sleeping with my little sister.”
Ryan didn’t respond either way. He owed Tripp this, but the details of their relationship, that was between him and Tess. They didn’t owe anyone else an explanation.
“Of course.” Tripp nodded, his fists clenched on the table in front of him. “That damn auction. The gift that keeps on giving.”
Ryan half expected his friend to try to slug him, as he had when they were teenagers and the kids at school had started a rumor that Ryan was Tess’s boyfriend. It was the last time the two of them had an honest-to-goodness fight.
That was when Tripp had made him promise he’d never lay a hand on Tess.
“Look, Tripp, I know you didn’t think I was good enough for your sister. Deep down, I think I believed that, too. But more than anything I was afraid to ruin my friendship with her or you. You and Tess...you’re more than just friends to me. You’re family.”
“If you were so worried about wrecking our friendships, what’s changed? Why are you suddenly willing to risk it?” Tripp folded his arms as he leaned on the table.
“I’ve changed. Or at least, my perspective has. I can’t imagine watching your sister live a life with someone else. Marrying some other guy and raising their children. Wishing they were ours.” Ryan shook his head. “That’s a regret I can’t take to my grave. And if it turns out I’m wrong, I honestly believe my friendship with you and Tess is strong enough to recover. But the thing is... I don’t think I am wrong about us. I love her, Tripp, and I’m gonna ask her to marry me. But I wanted to come to you first and explain why I could no longer keep my promise.”
“You’re planning to propose? Already? God, what the hell happened with you guys in Dallas?” Tripp shut his eyes and shook his head. “Never mind. On second thought, don’t ever tell me what happened in Dallas.”
“Now that’s a promise I’m pretty sure I can keep.” Ryan chuckled.
“I guess it could be worse. She could be marrying some dude I hate instead of one of my best friends.”
It was as close to a blessing as he was likely to get from Tripp. He’d gladly take it.
“Thanks, man. That means a lot. I promise, I won’t let you or Tess down.”
“You’d better not.” Tripp picked up his bear claw and took a huge bite.
It was another promise he had every intention of keeping.
Ryan, Tessa, Tripp and both sets of their parents, had dinner at the Glass House restaurant at the exclusive five-star Bellamy resort to celebrate their parents’ return and Tripp landing the Noble Spur’s biggest customer account to date.
The restaurant was decked out in festive holiday decor. Two beautiful Douglas firs. Twinkling lights everywhere. Red velvet bows and poinsettias. Then there were gifts wrapped in shiny red, green, gold and silver foil wrapping paper.
Tessa couldn’t be happier. She was surrounded by the people who meant the most to her. And both her parents and Ryan’s had been thrilled that she and Ryan had finally acknowledged what both their mothers claimed to have known all along. That she and Ryan were hopelessly in love.
Ryan had surprised her with an early Christmas gift—the Maybach saddle she’d mused about on their drive to Dallas.
Even Tripp was impressed.
The food at the Glass House was amazing, as always. And a live act, consisting of a vocalist and an acoustic guitar player, set the mood by serenading the patrons with soft ballads.
When they started to play Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years,” Ryan asked her to dance. Next, the duo performed Train’s song, “Marry Me.”
“I love that song. It’s so perfect.” Tessa swayed happily to the music as the vocalist sang the romantic lyrics.
“It is.” He grinned. “And so are you. I’m so lucky that the woman I love is also my best friend. You, Tess, are the best Christmas gift I could ever hope for.”
“That’s so sweet of you to say, babe.” Her cheeks flushed and her eyes shone with tears. She smiled. “Who says you’re not romantic?”
“You make me want to be. Because you deserve it all. Romance, passion, friendship. A home of our own, marriage, kids. You deserve all of that and more. And I want to be the man who gives that to you.”
Tessa blinked back tears. “Ryan, it sounds a lot like you’re asking me to marry you.”
“Guess that means I ain’t doing it quite right.” Ryan winked and pulled a gray velvet box from his pocket. He opened it and Tessa gasped, covering her mouth with both hands as he got down on one knee and took her left hand in his.
“Tessa Marie Noble, you’re my best friend, my lover, my confidante. You’ve always been there for me, Tess. And I always want to be there for you, making an incredible life together right here in the town we both love. Would you please do me the great honor of being my wife?”
“Yes.” Tessa nodded, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Nothing would make me happier than marrying my best friend.”
Ryan slipped on the ring and kissed her hand.
He’d known the moment he’d seen the ring that it was the one for Tess. As unique and beautiful as the woman he loved. A chocolate diamond solitaire set in a strawberry gold band of intertwined ribbons sprinkled with vanilla and chocolate diamonds.
Tessa extended her hand and studied the ring, a wide grin spreading across her gorgeous face. “It’s my Neapolitan engagement ring!”
“Anything for you, babe.” Ryan took her in his arms and kissed her with their families and fellow diners cheering them on.
But for a few moments, everyone else disappeared, and there was only Tessa Noble. The woman who meant everything to him, and always would.
