chef ryan

ryan bradley harper || richard madden 

thirty-two years old. chef at indulge. born & raised in madison, ga 

“Head Chef. That’s pretty impressive. You should offer some classes because I can barely get the microwave down and I also burn my popcorn.” The brunette said teasingly as she folded her arms over her chest. She nodded at his statement of having just moved here. “Well, I’m not going to force anything on you so that’s fine with me.” If she saw him in the bar one of these days, she’d be sure to extent a thank you in the form of a drink his way. “My dad used to work on bikes. It’s how we bonded and I got his clientele after he passed.”

“Burning popcorn is easy,” he laughed, “Sometimes, I even burn it.” Ryan chuckled, “I have been helpin’ some folks around town, but you’re right, I should be offerin’ some classes down at the restaurant or in my home.” He made a mental note to add that to an ad in the paper. It wasn’t a bad idea whatsoever. He glanced over at her, smiling at the mention of how she bonded with her father. “That’s really sweet,” he turned his gaze back to the road, “My mama taught me how to cook. I took it a few steps further, but,” he shrugged his shoulders, “she got me started.”

She paused when he admitted the same things that had been plaguing her own thoughts since her return, something that was now more permanent then she had realised when she initially returned to Madison. “Me either,” she admitted quietly, not quite meeting his eyes. She knew deep down she could’ve rung him and they would’ve been fine somehow, but the distance felt too big between them. Insurmountable. Until, now it seemed. “But, me too. I deserved the anger, i was…” she sighed, “I applied for RISD on a lark and didn’t think I’d get in, my grades were average you know this. But, when I did I was so scared to tell you and I didn’t even know why..” she sighed softly, “I know things can’t be like they were, but for what it’s worth. I’m sorry. And I’m sorry it’s taken a damn decade for me to come back. I’m glad we can talk as well, I missed you.”

Ryan nodded his head, “It wasn’t fair of me to be angry,” but at eighteen, what boy had become close to any emotional maturity? “I was just caught off guard. I thought we were stickin’ together.” It wasn’t until after Harper told him she was leaving that he opted to go to culinary school in Kentucky. “Truth be told, I applied to that school in Kentucky, just to see if I could get in,” it was a damn good culinary school, “but I had never thought I’d go,” his tongue slid across his lips. “I would have stayed around here to be with you,” his best friend. It hadn’t been romantic, not in the slightest. But Harper was the one person in his life he had been able to go to for everything. “I know you’re sorry,” Ryan cleared his throat, “I - I missed you too.” His smile softened at her. 

☼

There was something incredibly uplifting hearing someone speak about their passions. Billie listened intently with star speckled admiration in her round eyed gaze. Though his statement was brief she could infer the raw zest for his culinary forte. She was truly amazed. It was similar to how she felt on the stage, whether she was cracking jokes or performing a character. Fulfills somethin in the soul, how precise an illustration. The path she walked was an uncommon one, she could have chosen a number of careers that provided more security and stability. Goodness knows she’d suffered many disappointments over the progress of her profession. Dozens of smoky, darkened clubs filled with unshakably somber expressions as she stuttered out another wisecrack that just missed the mark, wilting petal by petal. But steadily she prevailed because that’s what you did when you loved something, you didn’t give up on it even if it wasn’t always easy. She may have been pushing thirty and still working the same cashier position she held as a teen to make ends meet but she this was where she was meant to be. A broad smile was pointed in his direction for a short period before she set her expression to determination. It was time to get serious. 

“Right then!” she muttered to herself, clapping her hands together to jump start her brain. “Salt not sugar. Salt…salt, salt” she looked through the spices already set out taking extra special care to avoid the remaining sprinkles no matter how tempting they may be. “Aha!” plucking the container of Morton she fiddled with the spout before tipping it over the pot. “Easy does it, just a little – oh, oh!” what started as a gentle tumble of salted crystals suddenly shifted into an unexpected flurry. Panicked she ignorantly attempted to capture a portion in her palm. “I um…perhaps I should be an observer rather than a sous chef?” 

“Yes, salt.” He nodded his head, watching as she rummaged for the container of salt before beginning to tap it into the pot of water. “Oh, well,” he laughed, “Luckily a little more salt won’t be bad for the noodles.” He offered her a smile, not wanting her to feel bad about the incident. Ryan chuckled, “Sit back and relax,” he gestured himself with a playful bow. “Ryan Harper to the rescue,” which he had been doing in the first place, since his arrival. “We are going to let it start to boil first,” he told her, though he made sure the package of noodles was nearby. “Your sauce,” he shook his head, “well, we will just let it simmer on low until we are ready for it. You know,” he turned to her after turning the burner up high for the water to boil, “This will be the first time I’ve had sprinkle sauce and if it’s a hit, I might have to introduce it to Indulge.”

“New York … it’ll stomp on you and you’ll thank it and ask it for more.” she replied with a wry chuckle, perhaps trying to play off her previous vulnerability and openness as just too much alcohol. She hated that she felt this way, the crippling loneliness alone in New York now that everyone she had in the city had returned to Madison. Billie, Charlie, they had all gone back home eventually. She had been too damn stubborn not to, just like she had been too stubborn to call Ryan and just ask him how she is. “It’s whatever though,” she admitted quietly, her cheeks warming at the thought of Ryan thinking perhaps that the woman was a complete loser. Which she was, she knew. She didn’t want anyone else thinking of herself that way. “Yeah no, I’ll admit… I miss that part of Madison. It wouldn’t happen here.”

Ryan couldn’t imagine living in a place like New York. He thought his previous location was hard enough initially, even moving out to Kentucky for culinary school. Anything outside of Madison was a shock to say the least. He gave her a small smile in return, nodding his head. “No, it wouldn’t.” Ryan paused a minute, running a hand through his hair. “I mean,” he inhaled deeply at what he was about to say. “I didn’t think we’d be like this,” he hesitated again, “you know? When I heard you came back? I thought I’d be angry forever and well,” he shook his head, “i know things aren’t the same as before but, I’m - I’m glad we can talk.”

Sophia looked at the male and nodded her head when she mentioned that she was a mechanic. She had a specialty which was bikes and people drove a long ways in order to have her help them as she worked out of her own garage. Nevertheless, she was glad that someone didn’t immediately turn their nose down on it since she hadn’t chosen a career like many others in town. “What do you do?” She questioned with a tilt of her head. She wasn’t shocked that he didn’t know given how much she kept to herself. “That’s great. I really appreciate it and definitely owe you one.” She told him as she opened the door and slid inside. “I can give you directions to my house so I can go grab my truck.”

“I’m a chef,” he told her as she got into the vehicle, “I took a head chef position over at Indulge ‘bout a month ago and that’s why I ended up movin’ back to Madison.” It’s not that it wasn’t common knowledge but it wasn’t spicy enough for the whole town to be talking about it for days to come. “It’s been a long time comin’,” he laughed softly. He had spent so many weekends and long weeks back in Madison that it was no wonder he didn’t move back sooner. “Nah, really, don’t worry about it.” He told her with a wave of his hand as began on driving toward town, “Just let me know where to go and you don’t owe me a thing,” Ryan chuckled softly, “What got you into workin’ on bikes?” 

There were few women in his life that he remained friends and only friends with. Neslyn was one of the few that stayed in his life as a friend, being there for him over the years with all his troubles and turmoils as they arose. There had never been any feelings attached outside of platonic friendship between the two of them and well, it was something that Ryan couldn’t help but appreciate more and more as the years went on. “Nes!” He called out to her, spotting her walking down the street, “Hey there, stranger.” he jogged up to her, placing a hand on her arm to announce his presence further. “Feel like it’s been ages since I’ve seen you around. You been ditchin’ me for a new boyfriend or something?” He teased her, only feinting jealousy in the moment. 

“A little birdy told me,” she said with a pointed look. Arielle bowed her head to hide the jest that colored her features. Ryan was one of the only men in her life beside her brothers that she felt comfortable expressing every part of herself with. He had seen the good, bad, and ugly; yet still found the strength to stick by her. She had taken the high ground with everyone else in this god forsaken town and hide the parts of her that truly mattered. It wasn’t like anyone could see past her being the teenage harlot who had a kid before she could drive. “I’m always right, Ry.” She scoffed. Her hand brushed off the fact flagrantly. “I know you’re not a blockheaded idiot but you know I just have to check in from time to time. You would be surprised, okay.” Arielle broke off a piece of her toast and flicked it at him. “I bet she is dying to run down the aisle to you and your larger than life hair. I’m just saying that going slow and lowering your expectation keeps you from being disappointed. Not that I am saying you will be but you only have one heart. You have to guard that with your life because people will use it, abuse it, and break it. No one can be trusted.” 

Way to project your shit, Ari. 

“Ignore me,” she bowed her head before stuffing a forkful of food into her mouth. “You two will be a beautiful Mr. and Mrs, okay.” 

“Oh, did a little birdy tell you, now?” He jested back at her, a brow raising in her direction. Yet, laughter gave way to his attempt at a serious tone. With Arielle, things were easy. He had a friend in life with her and it didn’t matter how things were going, he could always count on her to tell him the truth. It’s simply how their friendship had evolved over the years. “You’re right, you’re right,” he teased, holding his hands up in mock surrender, “Arielle Kane, right as always.” He chuckled at her words, nodding his head. “I’ve had my blockheaded moments, which you are all too aware of,” he grimaced at the thought, “And it’s why you have to remain my friend until the end of time because there are just some things that don’t need to make their presence to others.” Ryan teased her still with a smile, “Hey, that’s good toast right there.” He laughed, popping the piece she flicked at him into his mouth. “Your loss right there.” The man smiled as the food disappeared. His brow raised as Arielle rambled on about protecting his heart and going slow, “I get what you mean,” he wasn’t going to jest her when he realized it might not even be about him at the end of the day. Few things truly were. “Ignore you? I think not,” he clicked his tongue and shook his head, “I couldn’t do it, you can’t make me.” He teased her, though his smile was softer. 

Sophia lifted her head when the car she’d flagged down had, in fact, stopped for her. “Ryan,” she said with a small smile on her face as she immediately recognized the male. She’d dated Andy throughout a large part of high school and had kept in contact with him afterwards. At least since he’d returned which was why she knew who Ryan was despite not having talked to him much. Especially not during that time given how consumed she’d been with her relationship and their age difference. “Oh, it’s just the bike being a little shit. I actually fixed it up but something seemed to fail.” She said on a huff. “I actually won’t need a ride to a mechanic as I fix bikes professionally. But I would love if maybe you can give me back a ride to my garage. I need my truck and I wouldn’t want to burden you with trying to find a way to bring the bike back with me.” Especially since she wasn’t sure how her bike would fit on his car.

Ryan found it important to keep in touch with people around Madison, but he was never sure how to approach the ex-girlfriends of his brother. If there were tender feelings, he didn’t want his presence to bring up any lingering resentment towards his older brother. “I’m sorry you are havin’ troubles with it.” He told her with a smile, “You’re a mechanic, now?” He hadn’t realized that’s what she did. Last time he was down at the garage, he befriended Matthew when his car battery failed. “That’s pretty kick ass. I had no idea,” Ryan shook his head with a small smile. It was rather embarrassing to admit in that moment. “I don’t mind giving you a ride at all,” he patted the seat, regardless that only his window was down. His left hand clicked the door locks to open them up, “Jump on in, not a problem for me to do that at all.”

Andy sighed exaggerating, “Alright, fine. I get you’re just tryin’ to be a good brother and you know I appreciate the hell outta that.” Turning the corner down the next street towards their parents house, Andy agreed with Ryan’s sentiment. “It is. Finally asked Lacie to be my girl a couple weeks ago and man, let me tell you the relief I felt when she said yes. I didn’t even realize how stressed I’d been over it until it happened.” Having Ryan back and just chatting with him was something Andy had sorely missed while the younger male was away. While Andy had a handful of friends, nothing compared to having his brother, his best friend, around. “Oh, you two are official now? Fucking finally. Man, mama’s gonna have a field day with us,” Andy shook his head at the thought of how she was gonna react. “I can promise you the second we walk in that door she’ll be askin’ who’s getting married first.”

Ryan nodded his head, “That’s right,” he chided him, a teasing grin. “That’s what little brothers are for, am I right?” Ryan followed along side Andy, knowing the way to their parent’s house like the back of his hand. “What?!” His eyes grew wide, brows raising at the excitement that rang through his words. It took everything in him for the man to not jump up and down at his brother’s news. “Andy, that’s amazing!” He clasped his brother on the back for a moment as they walked. He wasn’t sure what would ever happen when things didn’t work out with Logan. His laughter rang through his own ears, nodding his head at the mention of their mother and marriage. “Lord, you think we should turn around now?” He teased his brother, “I mean, it’s not too late to back out before we get ambushed for the next several hours in that house.”

//

Ximena brushed her fingers against the back of his neck, teasing the hairline with the tip of her thumb as she rolled her eyes at his words. “You know I love everything and anything you do for me.” She told him softly. “Even if I’m an impatient brat.” She playfully spoke as she moved closer to him. She knew in this moment, this was it for her. He was going to be the only person in the world who was able to make her feel like this, like she was on top of the world… wanted. “I’m glad you finally got to ask.” She said softly as she tilted her head up, pressing her lips against his. “Don’t go breakin’ my heart, okay?”

"Impatient brat is right,” he teased, though he didn’t mean it in the slightest. There was so much about Ximena that the man loved and if she was a little impatient about him asking her to be his girlfriend again, who could blame her? “I’m not here to break your heart.” He leaned down to meet her lips, not ever wanting to let them go. Alas, oxygen needed to reach his lungs once more. “Not a chance in hell.” Ryan never wanted to break her heart, though he knew he was holding a secret that just might do that.

“Yes because if I don’t you’ll go on stuffing all your secrets into your hair. You the sayin’ the higher the hair, the more secrets.” Arielle nudged him softly with her foot. It took everything in her not to spring into action with the copious questions that colored her tongue. Ryan had waited for this moment for what felt like eons. His love for Ximena held no bounds and obeyed no measure of time. Even in her own cynical heart, she believed in their love; or maybe she just believed in Ryan’s happiness. It was the latter. “I think it has a nice ring to it. Ximena Harper..eh.” She shrugged with a cheeky kink in her grin. “What!” Arielle jumped up off her stool and danced happily in her spot before pausing. Her gaze shot back down the lofty corridor that held the two other sleeping ladies who resided here. She learned her lesson not to make any sudden sounds Hadley before her coffee. “Wow…I mean it’s about time. You’ve loved her your entire life but be mindful of her agency. She may not want to get married but that’s okay because you’re a twenty first century man who wouldn’t be disappointed because it’s her choice and a piece of paper doesn’t dictate how she feels about you, right?”  

“Arielle, how did you know that is where I keep all my secrets?” Ryan teased her, a smile stretching across his lips. There was only one secret in his luscious hair. A secret that would break the heart of the only woman other than his mother that he loved. Ryan chuckled with the interchange of his name with Ximena, “You’re right,” he teased back in response. The man knew full and well that he would take whatever name he needed for the woman or if she wanted to keep her own name. Ryan simply would walk to the ends of the earth for Ximena and nothing or no one would be able to stop him from doing so. His laughter tipped his head back as Arielle leapt from her chair to dance in place. He knew that would catch her off guard, doing so for his own amusement. As Arielle went on about Ximena possibly not wanting to get married, he nodded his head in agreement. “Arielle, look me, do I look like the kind of man that would need marriage to be happy?” His head fell to the side as he looked over at her, as if she was absolutely insane by even assuming anything other than the obvious statement she spilled out to him. “Whatever Ximena wants,” he paused, “wait, do you know somethin’ I don’t? I mean, obviously I have not brought up marriage since I’ve been back in town but you best be helpin’ your longest friend out here.” 

“Exactly, I’d rather face down rabid ‘gators then interrogations of the people of Madison.” she replied with a chuckle, the same kind of thought crossing her mind whenever she came across someone else who didn’t know she was in town. Bullshit, they all knew she was still there, they had all been whispering about it behind their magazines whilst getting their hair done. She glanced up at Ryan when he asked about her own love life and she sighed at the thought of yet another area of failure in her life. “No.” she admitted finally, “Dating in New York… like, it’s easy to meet people city is full of them right? There’s always some new party or art gallery opening and you can turn a corner and meet someone. But, dating, that’s the hardest part. Ghosting occurs basically daily, people can be even crueller in that city there’s always another option that is better than you out there for them. It’s exhausting, knowing that these people are with you until the next best thing comes along.” she sighed softly, a side of vulnerability that hadn’t appeared since their teens showed, “It’s lonely. So, yeah no…no one back home.” she admitted quietly, realising she’d rambled. 

“I think I might end up agreein’ with you there,” Ryan spoke softly. It’s not that he often minded telling people about his life, but it seemed that there were more people than not that wanted to use the information for a gossip train that he had no desire to be a part of. The town was small enough that gossip served as a form of entertainment for others, regardless of how true the information was, especially by the time it made its way around town. The initial thread of words was always misconstrued and far from the truth. As Harper explained dating in New York, he felt his brow furrowing. Despite their falling out, it’s not like he wanted her to ever suffer in anyway. No, his heart was far too big for that. He had always wished her the best, even if he never told her himself. All those years, he could never bring himself to reach out, always hoping she would have done it first. “Wow,” he breathed, raising his brows. He had not expected that. “It’s hard to imagine that stuff like that happens,” not to say Ryan hadn’t dated while he was gone from Madison, but he had not experienced anything quite like that. “People can certainly be cruel,” he shook his head at the thought, hating to believe there were people out there like that. “I’m - I’m sorry,” he wasn’t sorry that she wasn’t seeing anyone but more so that that dating was that exhausting. “I know Madison has its own slew of problems,” he paused, “but I guess not like that.”

Billie’s eyes cast down to the congealed remains of her noodles with a frown, turning the pot this way and that as if shifting its position was somehow going to suddenly produce an edible substance. “Oh fiddlesticks,” she pouted, letting herself wallow in disappointment for a few moments before her lips curled back up into an amused smile. “Looks a bit like a failed science experiment don’t it? Maybe I’ve just created a new life form made of gluten and carbs” she lifted the pots to eye level, expressive brows snapping together and face contorting slightly as she unearthed a passable impression of Pee Wee Herman. “Ahh! eat me. Eat me! Do not fear, I am not an impasta” a peal of laughter sprang from her throat, always easily entertained by her own absurd antics. Attempting to simmer her bursts of giggles she slapped her foot against the lever to open the lid of her garbage bin. “Pasta la vista baby” was her mock somber farewell before tossing the contents of the pot away. Her determination prevailed, with renew vigor she skipped cheerfully to her cabinets, searching its depths for more materials before plucking a fresh box of penne. “Thank you again for coming” she expressed as she refilled her pot with water, wanting to make absolute certain Ryan understood just how much she appreciated his assistance. “Without you I’d be standing in the charred remains of my kitchen, starved. You are a hero, a valiant knight of cuisine”

Ryan chuckled at her choice of swearing in the kitchen. It was the most innocent phrase he had ever heard in a kitchen. Ryan, as soft as his own heart could be, did not have a clean vocabulary when it came to kitchen etiquette. When the pressure was on and the kitchen was bustling, Ryan was not afraid to let a few words loose. His eyes wandered over to her pot of pasta as she lifted it up, pretending it had a voice. Laughter could probably be heard doors down as his lips parted, head tipping back at the commotion in front of him. Billie Dawson was unlike no other person he had ever met. In all of the best ways. It was no wonder that people thought that he and her might be an item. While the man would be against it in different circumstances, he appreciated her company more than most others. He watched as she dumped the pasta out, not missing a beat to find new noodles to cook. Her bounce back rate was incredible. Inspiring, really. “It’s no problem at all,” he offered as his laughter died down, “I wouldn’t say I’m a hero, but I am no stranger to the kitchen,” he admitted with a smile, “It’s my favorite place to be. Allows me to just think and be in my element.” He had always felt like that, even as a young teenage boy. “Fulfills somethin’ in the soul, you know?” He raised a slight brow, “Make sure you add some salt to the water when you start boiling it,” he suggested, “salt, not sugar.” 

“Sometimes we can’t see the blunders of our ways when it comes to our passions. I mean you’re a chef so you gotta love cooking. I wish I loved cooking as much as I love eating,” she groaned. Kennedy turned the dreaded bag of kale between her fingers. Why would anyone want to eat this? They were stinky and sour; but she needed to try to add some healthy greens into her diet. Her brows almost shot off her face at his reply. Not only because he debunked the wilding romance that cooked up in her head that starred him and Billie but that the woman he was talking about wooing was Ximena. “Billie bear is a danger in the kitchen but with her around you don’t need to eat. You can literally just photosynthesize from the energy that she radiates!” She rambled before turning on her heels with her withering bag of kale pointed at him like limp weapon. “You, chef boy, are trying to gain back Ximena’s love with dinner? Oh hell no! You need to do something way bigger. Lay on the charm that I know you got because I mean look at you. You look like some Disney Prince,” she exclaimed. “What was the first meal you guys ate when you first got together. I know that you’re adults now,” she groaned before perking up. “…but you can recreate that dish with some real sophistication! Recreate the moment you asked her to be with you! She’ll be overcome with emotion and you two will be one once more!” Kennedy flailed in the middle of the aisle. Her grip on the bag bundled up the pressure within it and the seam b u r s t. The hearty greens billowed between them before sinking after than rocks in a river. 

She picked off a piece of kale off his shoulder. “Sorry.” 

Ryan chuckled, nodding his head, “I love eatin’ and cookin’ all the same, so it works out I’m a chef,” he admitted, “Get to eat anything I make as I go, especially when I’m making sure it’s just perfect.” He made sure his food was nothing short of perfect at the end of the day. Working over at Indulge, he refused to let a plate of food leave his kitchen if it wasn’t the best plate he made. Each plate was made with precision and care, never overlooking a single detail when it came to the meal. Laughter brought his lips into a smile at the woman’s description of Billie Dawson. “You are not wrong there.” He had grown to enjoy Billie’s company. The quirky woman giving him a run for his own money in the kitchen. He had never thought someone could turn sauce blue, but then he watched Billie cook and well, he was introduced to something new that day. He raised his brow as she pointed the bag of kale at him, rambling off an idea that wasn’t half bad. Ryan had never thought of recreating the meal they first ate together. Or recreating the moment he first asked her to be his girlfriend. Combining the both? Ryan had a million thoughts running through his head now. He merely wanted this to be perfect for her. For the two of them. He couldn’t dare mess this up now. Ximena was his entire world and finally getting the chance to really be with her  for the first time since he left for college, well, it was a big deal. As the woman before her got caught up in the moment, his eyes lifted as kale exploded around him. A low chuckle escaped his lip, “I like your passion,” he admitted, “I’m definitely takin’ that idea into consideration,” he paused, “minus the finale of exploding kale.”

@madison-starters​

This fucking bike. She’d been working on it for countless months now without avail. Just when she was certain she’d figure out what the problem was, things would go south. That’s exactly what happened when she decided to take it for a ride. Certain that she’d finally fixed the damn thing, the brunette had decided to push her luck by going a little further than she should have. Given that it had broken down by the side of the road, she hadn’t managed to push it further enough to return to her own shop. Lifting her head when she heard the sound of a car come down the road, Soph moved to the side and stuck her thumb out in the hope they’d slow down to help her. 

Stopping to help a stranger on the side of the road is exactly the type of thing the Harper brother’s would do. Their mother’s kind soul rubbed off on them and despite the dangers, he recognized the woman standing on the side of the road. Sophia Kincaid was quite a few years older than he was, but that didn’t mean he didn’t ever notice her. No, Ryan was a man that appreciated beauty and well, a young teenage boy thought she was the hottest woman in Madison. This was well before he fell for Ximena. He pulled over to the side of the road, “Hey, Sohpia, right?” He acted as if he didn’t know her well, “It’s, uh, Ryan, Ryan Harper. You probably know Andy.” Who was much closer in age to her, “Everythin’ okay? I’m no mechanic but I might be able to get you to one.”

//

Ximena couldn’t help but let a devilish smirk come along her features. “It is tradition,” she mused as she kept moving the the rhythm of the music, her eyes resting on his face as a chuckle left her lips. “I’ve never been the patient type, Mr. Harper… You should know that after this long,” she moved her hand up to the back of his head, brushing her fingers through the short strands of his hair. “A whole dinner? I can take it back… I do love when you cook for me,” she inhaled when he kissed the tip of her nose, a fluttering sensation beginning her chest as her heart started to beat a little quicker. “I never thought you’d ask,” she whispered, moving in closer as she let the tip of her nose brush against his. “I’ve always been yours,” she added, her eyes resting on his.

“I do know that,” he nodded his head, a smile touching his lips in agreement. Ximena and patient were not exactly words that went hand in hand together. That had been apparent from the day he met her. “See,” he teased, a softer smile bringing his lips together, “I knew you might like that idea,” he paused, “but what do I know?” He pretended to feel hurt by her impatience, but that was hardly the case. “I’ve been waitin’ a long time to ask that.” He told her, their faces brushing against one another as the danced. Ryan knew he’d ask the woman to marry him one of these days but he knew he had to take it one step at a time. “I’ve always been yours,” he repeated back to her, not denying the truth that there was. No matter how many times he ended up with someone else, he would always find his way back to her.