Chapter 61 Come away with me
“Family-zoned? Okay, that’s a new one.” He gave a short chuckle.
“Cole.”
“What? I can’t make a joke about it?” He grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Cole,” I said softly.
“No, don’t give me that look.”
“What look?”
“The ‘I’m-sorry-I-pity-you’ look. Seriously, Sara. I’m fine just being your friend. That’s all I ever wanted. So don’t give me that look. And don’t freak out on me either, okay, Livingston?” He reached for my hands.
“Okay,” I nodded.
A wave of relief washed through me. I couldn’t picture my life without my best friend.
“What did I do in a past life to deserve you, Cole?” I asked, tilting my head.
“Ha. Told you. You can’t survive this world without me, Livingston,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows.
I rolled my eyes and laughed a little.
“It just… sucks. I wish I could give you more. You deserve so much better.” I meant every word.
Cole gave me a gentle smile.
“Hey. Let’s make a deal,” he said. I looked at him, waiting. “I know you’re still hung up on your first love. That’s why, for three years, you haven’t really given your heart to anyone. But will you promise me something?” He took a breath. “If there ever comes a day when you’re finally over him… promise I’ll be the first to know.”
The sincerity in his eyes moved me. I didn’t think anyone had ever cared for me quite like that. Cole really was one of the best people on earth.
“I promise.”
After my last class, I wanted to get back to my apartment as fast as possible. Cole asked if I wanted coffee, but I told him I had plans with my stepbrother. He didn’t seem to think anything of it. He assumed I was just playing tour guide.
“You should take him to see the Empire State Building. It’s touristy, but it’s still pretty great,” Cole suggested. I just nodded along.
I was grateful things weren’t awkward between us. I’d worried they would be, but Cole was still the same funny, kind friend I’d always had. Whoever ended up with him someday would be incredibly lucky.
When I finally reached my apartment door, my heart was pounding hard. I felt nervous. I still had no idea what I was going to say to Ryan. The whole thing was terrifying and thrilling all at once. Those stupid butterflies were back in my stomach. How was any of this even possible? Ryan and I were finished. We had been for three years. Weren’t we?
I pushed the door open. Ryan was sitting in a chair, wearing an old black hoodie from my closet, reading a book. My book, to be exact. The sight of him there stole my breath.
“Finally. You’re back,” he said, looking up. “I’ve been waiting for you my whole life.” A smirk played on his lips.
I rolled my eyes, dropping my things on a nearby table.
“I see you helped yourself to my closet,” I said, nodding at the hoodie.
Ryan ignored that. Instead, he set the book down and stood up. He walked toward me, and once again, I found I couldn’t make myself move away.
“I think it’s time we talked about why I’m really here,” he said, his voice serious.
“Agreed,” I said, trying to sound cool, not wanting to show my hand.
“I read your book. Again. I have some notes.”
“Oh? You do?” I narrowed my eyes. That wasn’t what I was expecting.
“The ending, for one. I didn’t like it.”
“What was wrong with it?”
“The last line. ‘You, me, and never us.’ That is so fucking depressing.”
“Well.”
“And the two main characters. They didn’t end up together.”
“Well, yes, because that’s how it was meant to be.”
“See, that’s not fair. As the author, you were supposed to be objective, but you weren’t. You were biased. Even the rules you made for us in the story, they were biased, too. They were designed to make us fail.” With every word, he took another step closer. I found myself moving back, until my shoulders met the wall and I had nowhere left to go.
“What are you saying?” My voice trembled as he stopped right in front of me.
He put one hand on the wall beside my head, the other cradling the side of my face, holding me there. Our noses were almost touching. His dark blue eyes looked straight into mine, seeing everything.
“I’m saying I want a new ending.”
I swallowed hard, praying he didn’t notice the slight shake in my hands.
“I know what you’re going to say,” he went on, his voice a low mimicry of mine. “‘No, there is no other ending, Ryan.’ But you’re the author of this story, Saraphina. And I’m telling you, you can write a new one.”
“…And what ending are you suggesting?” My voice was rough.
The corner of his mouth lifted into a smile, the boldest, most reckless smile I had ever seen.
“Run away with me.”
The moment he said it, my heart plummeted straight to my feet.
“You’re insane!” I gasped.
“Yeah. I am. Insane about you.” He was still grinning, like a man with nothing left to lose.
“Ryan,” I said, my tone a warning.
“Saraphina,” he replied, his voice playful.
Then he leaned in, resting his forehead against mine. He was smiling, but his eyes were completely serious when he whispered, “Come away with me. We’ll write a brand new fucking ending. Together.”