Chapter 32: Chapter Thirty-two

RILEY

“You’re pretty quiet. Everything okay, babe?” Tristan asked as he drove us back to my place.

Abby was sound asleep on my shoulder, her back rising and falling under my gentle touch. I was still reeling from my discovery and had barely been able to look at him all evening.

I couldn’t believe he’d held onto the carnival ticket from our first date all these years. It was a shock, and my heart was pounding like a drum in my chest.

“I-I’m okay,” I managed to say after a moment. He didn’t seem convinced and kept stealing glances at me.

“I know you better than that. Do you… ummm… regret tonight?”

“What?” I asked, giving him a look that said, “are you out of your mind?” “No, not at all. I’m just relieved it went well. It wasn’t awkward. She took to you quickly.”

“I am her dad, after all! And, yeah, she’s amazing. I want to be there for her, Riley. I want to get to know her and make up for lost time,” he said, a pained expression on his face.

I felt a pang of guilt for keeping that from him. “You can be in her life as much as you want, Tristan. I won’t stop you. I don’t have the right to stop you,” I whispered, offering him a small smile.

Tristan raised his eyebrows. “Did you just smile?”

“Shut up.”

He chuckled and continued driving, while I stared out the window.

“Uhh... you do realize I’m talking about you too, right?” he asked after a while.

I gave him a puzzled look; my mind was still spinning around that carnival ticket in his wallet.

“Why do you still have that ticket, Tristan?” I blurted out, unable to hold it in any longer.

He seemed surprised by the question and kept his eyes on the road for a moment.

He cleared his throat. “What are you talking about?”

“The carnival ticket from our first date. I found it in your wallet.”

“Really? I had no idea. I must have forgotten to toss it or something.” He shrugged, acting like it was no big deal.

I frowned. “You forgot to throw it away for five years?” I scoffed. Tristan gave me a serious nod. My face fell, and I felt foolish all over again.

Suddenly, he burst into laughter, and I turned to look at him. He stopped the car, and I realized we were in front of my house.

“You should have seen your face, Adams. Priceless,” he said, still laughing.

I managed to keep a straight face. “I’m out of here. Laugh all you want.”

I was about to open the car door, but he stopped me by placing his hand over mine on the handle.

I gasped at the sudden contact. Our faces were inches apart, and I could feel his warm breath on my skin.

“Hold on. I was just messing with you, babycakes.” He brushed a strand of hair away from my face, and I instinctively closed my eyes.

“Umm... Abby might wake up. Wait a minute.” I opened the door and stepped out, carrying her in one arm and my bag in the other.

I walked up to my door and knocked. My grandma opened it and greeted me with a bright smile.

“How did it go?” she asked right away. I shook my head with a small smile.

“He’s still here, Grandma, and Abby’s fast asleep. Could you take her inside while I say goodbye to him?”

“Of course, hand her over. You go give your man a proper send-off.” She winked, taking Abby from my arms.

My eyes widened. “You’re unbelievable,” I laughed, tossing my bag on the couch and hurrying back to the car.

Part of me was thrilled at the thought of kissing him after all these years.

~Am I ready?~

~Do I want him back in my life?~

Those thoughts flooded my mind, and my body was buzzing with nerves as I approached the car. I opened the door and climbed in slowly.

“Hey,” Tristan greeted me. I turned to see him grinning at me.

Just like that, all my fears melted away, and I felt at peace in his presence.

“Uhh...”

But I forgot what I was going to say and shook my head.

“Take your time. I know I’m quite a sight, darling,” he chuckled, lightly brushing his hand against my knuckles. I bit my lip, trying to hide my smile.

~He is quite a sight.~

~Why can’t I ever stay mad at him?~

“Could you drive a bit further? My dad might come home any minute, and I’m pretty sure my grandma is watching us from the window,” I said, brushing off his playful comment.

He started the car right away. “If you want some alone time with me, all you have to do is ask, baby,” he teased, earning a glare from me.

He parked the car a few blocks away from my house and turned to face me, unbuckling his seatbelt.

“So, where were we?” he asked, a smug grin on his face.

“It’s not funny, Tristan. Stop messing around.” I pulled my hand away from his. He swallowed hard and glanced down at my chest.

I was secretly enjoying the effect I still had on him and tried to play it cool, even though his gaze was driving me wild with desire.

“Okay, no more games. Yes, I still have that ticket, and I don’t think it needs a big explanation. I keep it because I love you, woman,” he said, laughing.

I looked up to meet his green eyes.

“Umm... did you really love me that much all those years ago?” I asked with a small chuckle, looking down at my hands.

He caressed my cheek, cupping my face in his hands.

“Is that even a question?” he whispered, unbuckling my seatbelt. I moved closer to him.

“I never stopped loving you, Riley. I couldn’t even if I tried,” he whispered, looking deep into my eyes. My heart did a somersault.

“Oh God! I hope I don’t regret this,” I muttered, my gaze fixed on his lips. I tugged at his shirt collar and pressed my lips to his, catching him off guard.

He looped an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest.

Fireworks ignited inside me as he deepened the kiss, his tongue tracing my lower lip, seeking entry. I willingly granted it.

He explored every corner of my mouth. Every cell in my body sparked to life.

~Holy shit!~

~I forgot how amazing this feels.~

Nothing had changed. The kiss stirred the same feelings I’d experienced when he first kissed me at that high school party.

He trailed kisses down my chin, while my fingers tangled in his thick hair.

His hair had grown out, curling at the nape of his neck, enhancing his sex appeal.

“God, I’ve been waiting for this moment forever,” he murmured against my neck, his lips finding my sweet spot.

A moan escaped me as I arched my back, my thighs pressing together. My core was soaked.

“Tristan…” I pulled back, taking deep breaths to rein in my raging hormones. “Wait, I need to get a grip.”

“Funny, that’s my line, sweetheart,” he chuckled, brushing his lips against mine, making me blush.

He swept my hair back from my face, his gaze lingering on me.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing. Just happy to be kissing the love of my life after five years.”

~Oh my God.~

~And there he goes, melting my heart again.~

~Damn you, Tristan.~

“Um…do you need a ride to the hotel?” I asked.

“Is that your subtle way of inviting me to bed, Ms. Riley Adams?” he teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

I swatted his arm. “Shut up, you’re not getting any of this that easily.” I smirked, gesturing to my body.

He shook his head, a small smile on his face. “It’ll be worth the wait, sweetheart. I’ll grab a cab. Thanks for everything, especially for giving me a chance, and for trusting me.”

He took my hand, pressing a soft kiss to it. “Expect a text or a call from your jerk tonight.”

He winked and stepped out of the car. I laughed, rubbing my face with my hands and letting out a huge sigh.

~Oh God!~

~I can’t remember the last time I was this happy.~

I had no clue what was going to happen next, or how he planned to balance me and our kid with his life in New York. I had my own life here.

It was bound to be complicated, but I decided to worry about that later.

I replayed our passionate kiss in my mind, leaning back in my seat with a small smile on my lips.

I hated how much I loved that jerk, even after everything he’d put me through.

~I guess love really is blind.~