CHAPTER 11(Bella)

The cafe was unusually quiet that morning.There wasn’t a flurry of customers so I used that
opportunity to engage in a little cleaning. I busied myself wiping and dusting the counter for what
felt like the hundredth time. My hands were moving on autopilot really because my mind wasn’t
on the spotless surface in front of me.My thoughts were focused on Ryan.More specifically, on
how much time I’d been spending with him—and how easy it had been to fall into a rhythm with
him, Luke, and Alice.

I sighed and tried to stop thinking about it,trying my best to push the thoughts and creeping
emotions I had away. “It’s all make-believe ,Bella,get a hold of yourself !” I muttered under my
breath. But my heart wasn’t listening. Pretending didn’t explain the way my stomach fluttered
whenever he walked into the room, or how my chest felt lighter when he was near nor did it
make the warm fuzzy feeling I had whenever he looked at me dissipate.

The doorbell rang, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I looked up just in time to see Ryan walk
in with Luke and Alice. Luke’s laughter rang out, his little arms were wrapped tightly around
Ryan’s neck as he clung to him and held on tightly. Alice was beside her dad,grabbing his hand
tightly.

“Mommy!!” Luke called, his face lighting up as he wriggled free of Ryan’s arms and ran toward
me.

“Hey, buddy!” I crouched down and scooped him up, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Did you have
fun today?”

Luke nodded enthusiastically, his curls bouncing with the motion. “Yeah! Uncle Ryan taught me
how to throw a football! It was fun.”

I looked over at Ryan, who was standing by the counter, one hand resting lightly on Alice’s
shoulder. His smile was warm, sort of inviting and for a moment, it felt like the whole room tilted.

“He’s certainly exaggerating,” Ryan said with a chuckle. “I didn’t do much,he’s a born natural.
He’ll be throwing perfect spirals in no time.”

“Great,” I said with a laugh. “Just what I need—Luke getting ideas about joining the NFL before
he can even tie his shoes properly.”

Ryan’s laugh was deep and rich, the kind that made my heart do an uncomfortable little flip in
my chest. “Never too early to start planning for greatness, Bella.we might have the next Tom
Brady right here!”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t keep the cheesy smile I had off my face.

Alice tugged on Ryan’s hand, her voice soft but insistent. “Daddy, can I get a grilled cheese?”
“Of course, sweetheart,” Ryan said, looking at me. “Make that two grilled cheeses. And I’ll take
my usual coffee.”

“You got it.” I set Luke down and headed to the kitchen, grateful for the distraction. My thoughts
came bursting out again,I just couldn’t help it.

While I busied myself with their orders, Luke pulled Alice over to the corner where the kids’
books were stacked. I glanced over my shoulder at them, my heart squeezing at the sight. They
looked so natural together, like siblings.

When I came back with their food a few minutes later, Luke and Alice were still seated together
at one of the tables, flipping through a picture book I kept in the café for kids. Ryan was leaning
back in his chair, watching them with a soft expression that made my chest ache.

“She’s really taken to him,” Ryan said softly, his voice pulling me back.

“Yeah,” I replied, keeping my eyes on the kids. “Luke adores her.”

“Here you go,” I said, setting the plates and coffee down in front of him.

“Thanks,” he said, his voice warm. “You didn’t have to go all out, you know.”

I shrugged. “It’s just grilled cheese, Ryan. Don’t make it seem like a grand meal.”

He smirked.”Grilled cheese made with care is still a very big deal.”

I rolled my eyes again, but I couldn’t help the little laugh that escaped. He had this way of
getting under my skin and making me smile at the same time, and it was sort of infuriating.

The kids dug into their food, their giggles filling the air as they made up stories about the
characters in the book. Ryan and I sat in companionable silence, the kind that felt oddly natural
—like we’d been doing this forever.

“Can I ask you something?” Ryan’s voice broke the silence, and I looked over at him.

“Sure,go ahead.” I said cautiously.

“Do you think this arrangement… is working?”

I blinked,his question catching me off guard . “What do you mean?” I asked ,querying him.

“I mean, for the kids. Do you think it’s good for them?”
I glanced at Luke, who was now showing Alice how to dip her grilled cheese into ketchup, his
little face super animated and happy. “Yeah,” I said softly. “I think it’s good for them. They seem
happy.”

“And you?” Ryan’s voice was quieter now, almost hesitant.

I turned back to him, my heart stumbling in my chest. “What about me?”

“Are you happy with how things are going?”he probed.

I hesitated, unsure how to answer a question like that. The truth was, I didn’t know how I felt.
Spending time with Ryan had been… nice. More than nice. But it was also sort of confusing
and scary, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to admit just how much I was enjoying it.

“I think I am happy with how it’s going,” I said finally. “Why? Are you having second thoughts
about the entire arrangement?”

He shook his head. “No. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay with how everything’s going..
This is about more than just me, Bella. I want this to work for all of us.”

There was something in his tone that made my throat tighten. He wasn’t just talking about the
kids. He was talking about us.

“Yeah,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I want it to work too.”

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of laughter and quiet moments that felt heavier than
they should have. When it was time for Ryan and Alice to leave, Luke clung to his leg, begging
him to stay.

“Hey, buddy,” Ryan said gently, crouching down to Luke’s level. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?
We’ve got more football practice to do.”

Luke sniffled but nodded, reluctantly letting go.

I walked them to the door, my chest tight as I watched them leave.

“Ryan,” I called out before I could stop myself.

He turned, his eyebrows raised. “Yeah?”

“Thanks… for today. For everything.”

His gaze softened, and for a moment, I thought he was going to say something. But he just
nodded, giving me a small smile before getting in the car.
 I locked up the café that night,flipping the sign to "Closed." I stood there for a moment, my hand
lingering on the cool glass, staring out into the quiet Cedar Ridge night. The streets were empty,
with the exception of a few cars driving by.The glow of the lampposts cast soft pools of light on
the pavement, providing the much needed illumination.

I couldn’t stop replaying the day in my mind—the way Ryan had laughed with Luke, the easy
way he fit into my world, the way he’d looked at me, his eyes warm and full of something I didn’t
dare name. That look stayed with me, trailing after me like a shadow, and no matter how hard I
tried to shake it off, it clung to me, refusing to let go.

The problem was, the lines had become very blurry . It was supposed to be fake—our
arrangement, this whole thing. A way for him to deflect the pressure from his world and for me
to salvage the café that Luke and I depended on. It wasn’t supposed to feel like this. I wasn’t
supposed to feel like this. But I did.

And that terrified me.

I thought about the way Luke had clung to Ryan’s leg earlier, pleading with him not to leave. He
had alre grown so attached to him. And why wouldn’t he be? Ryan had shown up, really shown
up, in ways no one else had. It wasn’t just the big things, like teaching him to throw a football or
playing board games with him. It was the small moments, like how Ryan always listened when
Luke talked, no matter how silly or trivial the topic was.Or was it how he instinctively reached
out to steady him when he was about to trip over his own feet.

It hit me then, like a sudden wave crashing over me: Ryan was becoming a part of our lives.
Whether I wanted him to or not. And worse, I wanted him to.

I dropped the dishrag on the counter and leaned forward, bracing myself against the edge. My
reflection stared back at me from the glass of the pastry display case, and I barely recognized
the woman I saw. Her eyes were tired, yes, but there was something else there. A flicker of
hope. And that scared me more than anything.

I closed my eyes, pressing my palms against the cool surface of the counter. For years, I had
kept myself and Luke in a little bubble, safe from the messiness of other people’s intentions,
safe from the risks that came with trusting someone else. Caleb’s betrayal had taught me that
much—that people you love, people you trust, could leave you when you needed them most.

But Ryan wasn’t Caleb.

The thought startled me, and I opened my eyes again, shaking my head. I couldn’t let myself go
there. I just didn’t have the luxury of believing Ryan was different , even if he felt different,it
wasn’t a risk I could take.Because if I let myself believe that, I’d be risking not just my heart, but
Luke’s as well.
And yet, the way he looked at me today had me mesmerized ….

“Stop it,” I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible in the empty room. “Don’t do this to
yourself, Bella. Don’t overthink it.”

But how could I stop myself from not overthinking?

My mind went back to the brief moments of silence we shared at the café earlier, after the kids
had finished their grilled cheese sandwiches. The soft look he had in his eyes when he talked
about wanting this arrangement to work. The way his voice had lowered, almost as if he were
speaking directly to my heart, when he asked if I was happy.

I wanted to tell him then, I really wanted to spill everything I was feeling, but the right words just
wouldn’t come. Because what if he didn’t feel the same? What if this was just an altruistic act for
him, a way to unburden himself of the guilt he felt about his brother’s mistakes?

The idea that I wasn’t anything more than that twisted chest, leaving an ache I couldn’t quite
name.

My hands reached for my coat and bags.After Turning off the lights, I made my way to the door.
The night air hit me as I stepped outside, cool and crisp, and I wrapped my coat tighter around
me. I wondered if Ryan was thinking about me the same way I was thinking about him.Was he
thinking about everything that happened today? About me?

I shook my head again viciously , trying to clear the thought out of my head.But it was no use. I
just couldn’t shy away from the truth anymore, he was on my mind constantly. His laugh, his
voice, the way his eyes shone when he smiled—all of it had found its way into my heart, no
matter how hard I tried to fight it,I just couldn’t help it.

I started the short journey home, my steps slow and measured. But as I walked, I couldn’t help
but feel like I was on the edge of something new, something unpredictable.

And that terrified me.

When I reached the house, I stood on the porch for a moment, staring at the door. Inside, Luke
was fast asleep, maybe he was dreaming about the football throwing practice Ryan had
promised him.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind me.I set my bag down
and leaned against the wall, closing my eyes. For years, I had told myself that I was fine on my
own. That I didn’t need anyone else, that I just couldn’t afford to need anyone else. But Ryan
was proving me wrong, little by little, and I didn’t know what to do about it.
Because as much as I tried to remind myself that this was all pretend, my heart knew better.

CHAPTER 12 (Ryan)

The late afternoon sun seeped in through the wide windows of Bella's cafe, casting a warm
golden hue over the cafe’s tables and chairs. The scent of freshly baked muffins and coffee
lingered in the air ,creating a pleasant aroma.It was peaceful here, far removed from the chaos
of corporate boardrooms and high-stakes deals. I found myself craving the calm this sort of
setting gave more and more.

Bella was behind the counter, a faint smear of flour on her cheek as she boxed up an order for a
customer. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, and she had that determined look on her
face, the one that told me she could handle anything life threw at her. I couldn’t help but crack a
smile. She’d come a long way from the woman who used to look out of sorts every time I walked
into her cafe.

“Stop staring,” Bella said without looking up, her lips breaking into a knowing smile.

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. “Can’t help it.It ain’t my fault.You’re mesmerizing
when you’re in your element.”

She rolled her eyes, but I didn’t miss the faint blush that crept up her neck. “You’ve certainly got
a way with words, Mr.Blackwood. But if you’re trying to charm your way into a free coffee, it’s
not going to work.”

I smirked. “Who said I needed free coffee? I’ll gladly pay for the privilege of being here.”

Bella shook her head, but there was a softness in her expression that hadn’t been there before.
“You’re impossible.”

“And you’re one stubborn woman.” I shot back, standing to approach the counter. “But that’s
what makes you... you.”

She glanced up, her eyes meeting mine, and for a moment, the world outside faded away. I felt
it then—that magnetic pull, the one I had been trying to ignore for weeks. It was just dangerous,
intoxicating and enthralling,it was also getting harder to resist.

“So,” I said, breaking the moment before it could turn into something I wasn’t ready for. “What’s
on the menu today? Do you have anything you’d recommend I try?”
Bella tilted her head, pretending to think. “Well, I just baked a fresh batch of cranberry-orange
scones. You should give them a try,they are pretty good.”

“Pretty good?” I raised an eyebrow. “Coming from you, that’s high praise.”

She laughed gently , and the sound made me feel a little warmer on the inside.“They’re amazing
quite all right”so,would you try them out?”

I will take your word for it,” I replied, reaching my wallet. “I’ll take two please.”

Bella started boxing up the scones, and I watched her, my mind drifting back to everything she’d
told me about her life, about Luke. She carried so much burden and disappointment , and yet
she faced each day with strength and grace. It was inspiring,And it made me want to open up to
her in a way I hadn’t opened up to anyone in years.

I cleared my throat, unsure of how to start. “You know, I envy you sometimes.”

Bella looked up, surprised. “Envy me? For what?”

“For this,” I gestured around the café. “For the life you’ve built here. It’s... real. Honest. And I
don’t think I’ve ever had that.”

Her brow furrowed as she set the box of scones on the counter. “What do you mean?”

I hesitated, but the look in her eyes pushed me forward. “Growing up, everything in my family
was about keeping up appearances. Success, power, wealth. My father drilled it into us from the
moment we could walk. There wasn’t room for... for anything else. Not love, and certainly not
vulnerability.

Bella leaned against the counter, her expression softening. “That sounds... lonely.”

I’d never told anyone this,I was scared of confiding in people. But with Bella, it was different.
She had this way of looking at me, like she could see straight through the facade I had spent
years perfecting. And somehow, it made me want to be honest.

“Growing up,” I started again, my voice quieter this time, “it was like we lived under this invisible
microscope. My father had expectations—no, demands—that ruled everything we did. It wasn’t
enough to succeed; we had to be perfect .Perfection wasn’t just a goal; it was the bare
minimum.”

Bella leaned against the counter, her brow furrowed with concern. She didn’t say anything, but
the way she tilted her head, the way her eyes stayed locked on mine, encouraged me to keep
going.
“I remember once,” I continued, my voice tinged with a bitter laugh, “I came home from school
with a 98 on a math test. I don’t know,I was around ten or eleven. I was proud of it—proud
enough to show it off the second he walked through the door. Do you know what he said?”

Bella shook her head slowly, her lips parting as if she already dreaded the answer.

“‘Where’s the other two percent?’” I said, my jaw tightening at the memory. “That’s all he cared
about. Not the effort, not the fact that I’d outscored everyone in the class. Just the two points I’d
missed.”

Bella’s expression darkened, her hands still as she listened. “That’s... awful. Ryan, that’s just so
unfair”

“Fairness wasn’t part of the equation,” I said with a shrug. “It wasn’t about being a kid or
enjoying life. It was about being better. Always striving for perfection. And if you weren’t, you
were a disappointment. Plain and simple.”

Bella’s gaze softened. “That’s a lot of pressure for a child.”

“It wasn’t just me,” I added, leaning against the counter as if the weight of the conversation was
something I needed support to carry. “It was Caleb too. He bore the brunt of that pressure,
being the oldest. Dad expected him to lead by example, to pave the way for me. And when
Caleb... fell short, it was like the entire family fell apart.”

She tilted her head, her curiosity evident. “Fell short, how?”

I hesitated, not wanting to bring up too much of my brother’s mistakes, but knowing it was an
integral part of the story,I continued “He didn’t want to follow the path Dad had laid out for him.
Caleb wanted to be... free, I guess. To live life on his terms. And when he rebelled, Dad wrote
him off entirely. He became the black sheep of the family,the cautionary tale. It was brutal.”

Bella’s fingers traced the edge of the counter, her voice soft. “And you? Did you rebel?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I did the opposite. I worked harder. Studied more. I became the
perfect son—everything Caleb wasn’t. But it came at a cost.”

“What cost?” she asked gently, her eyes searching mine.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “I lost myself, Bella. Somewhere along the way, I
stopped being Ryan and became this... this version of myself that my father would approve of.
The successful businessman, the hard-nosed negotiator, the guy who always has it together.
But it’s all surface level. Underneath, I—” I paused, the words catching in my throat. “I don’t
know who I am anymore.Maybe I am just a lost soul.”
Bella reached across the counter, her hand brushing mine. The touch was light, tentative, but it
steadied me in a way I couldn’t explain. “You’re more than that, Ryan,” she said, her voice firm.
“I’ve seen it myself.The way you are with Alice. The way you’ve stepped up for Luke. That’s not
someone who’s lost….That’s someone who cares deeply.”

Her words hit me harder than I expected, and I found myself looking down at our hands, at the
connection that felt as natural as breathing. “It’s so easy to care about them,” I admitted.
“They’re kids. They’re innocent. They deserve better than what I had.”

“And what about you?” Bella asked, her voice softer now. “Don’t you deserve better too?”

The question lingered in the air, heavy and unanswerable. I didn’t know how to respond, so I
leaned into the honesty that had carried me this far. “I’m trying to figure that out. But it’s hard to
let go of the past when it’s all you’ve ever known.”

Bella nodded, her expression thoughtful. “You’ve carried so much for so long, Ryan. Maybe it’s
time to set some of it aside.”

I looked at her then, really looked at her. She wasn’t just offering advice; she was offering
understanding, compassion—things I hadn’t allowed myself to accept in years. “You make it
sound so simple,” I said with a small, humorless laugh.

“It’s not simple,” she admitted. “It’s terrifying. But you don’t have to do it alone.”

Her words hung between us, and I felt something shift. It wasn’t just about me anymore. It was
about her too. About the way she’d quietly supported me without judgment, about the strength
she’d shown in her own life. Bella was more than a confidante; she was someone who made me
want to be better.

“You know,” I said after a moment, my voice lighter now, “I didn’t expect this when I came back
to Cedar Ridge.”

“What? A chance to unload your emotional baggage onto an unsuspecting cafe owner?” she
teased, a small smile breaking through her seriousness.

I chuckled, grateful for the reprieve. “Something like that. But seriously, Bella, thank you. For
listening.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked down, embarrassed. “You don’t have to thank me,
Ryan. That’s what friends do.”
Friends. The word felt strange, maybe inappropriate for what was building between us. But I
didn’t push it. Not yet. Instead, I gave her hand a gentle squeeze and let myself appreciate the
moment—something I hadn’t done in far too long.
“It was,” I admitted, my voice quieter now. “And it shaped me in ways I didn’t even realize until
much later. I built walls, kept people at a distance. It was easier that way. Safer.”

She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. “But it doesn’t have to be that way forever.”

I let out a dry laugh. “You sound like my therapist.”

“Maybe I missed my calling,” she teased, but her smile faded quickly. “Seriously, Ryan. You’ve
been through a lot, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. You’re allowed to let people in.”

“I’m trying,” I said, and I meant it. “But it’s not easy.”

“I know,” she said softly. “But you’re not alone anymore.”

Her words hit me harder than I expected, and I found myself leaning closer, drawn to the
warmth and understanding in her eyes. For a brief moment, it felt like everything else faded
away—the café, the world outside, the weight of my past. It was just me and Bella, and the
space between us felt impossibly small.

I reached out, my hand brushing hers on the counter. “Bella, I—”

The shrill ring of my phone shattered the moment, and I cursed under my breath as I pulled it
out of my pocket. The screen flashed with a familiar number, and I sighed. “Sorry. I have to take
this.”

Bella stepped back, giving me space. “Go ahead.”

I answered the call, pacing to the far side of the café as the voice on the other end gave me
updates about the land I had been trying to repossess. It was good news—the deal was finally
done—but for the first time, I found it hard to care. My mind was still with Bella, replaying the
moment we’d almost shared.

When the call ended, I turned back to her, but the mood had shifted. Bella was wiping down the
counter, her expression unreadable.

“Good news?” she asked, not looking up.

“Yeah,” I said, slipping the phone back into my pocket. “The land deal I have been working on
for months—it’s finally resolved.”
“That’s great,” she said with a faint smile, but there was a distance in her voice that hadn’t been
there before.

I crossed the room, stopping a few feet from her. “Bella, about before—”

“It’s okay,” she interrupted, glancing up at me. “You don’t have to explain.”

“But I want to,” I said firmly. “That moment—it wasn’t nothing. At least, not for me.”

She froze, her eyes searching mine. “Ryan, we agreed this was fake. Just a business
arrangement.”

“I know what we said,” I replied, stepping closer. “But things have changed. Haven’t they?”

Her silence spoke volumes, and I felt a flicker of hope. “Bella, I don’t want to pretend anymore.
Not with you.”

She let out a shaky breath, her hand tightening around the rag she was holding. “This is
dangerous, Ryan. If we let our hearts get involved, there’s no going back.”

“Maybe that’s not such a bad thing,” I said quietly.

She looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and longing. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You don’t have to decide right now,” I said, reaching out to gently take her hand. “Just... think
about it. About us.”

CHAPTER 13(Bella)

As I wiped down the counter in the cafe, my mind was certainly not on the smudges left by the
coffee spills or the faint dusting of flour scattered across the surface. It was on the words I’d
overheard earlier that morning when Ryan had been on the phone, his voice low and deliberate.

“It’s done,” he had said, and the certainty in his tone had sent a chill through me. “The
paperwork has been finalized. We can move forward.”

I’d stopped in my tracks when I heard him.There wasn’t any reason to eavesdrop.I knew what
he was talking about. The land deal. The reason he’d come back to Cedar Ridge in the first
place. Now it was done, and with it, his reason for staying.

I didn’t want to admit how much the thought of him leaving twisted something deep in my chest.
It shouldn’t have mattered. This was always temporary—our arrangement, his presence in my
life. But somehow, against my better judgment, I’d let him in. I’d let myself imagine what it might
be like if he stayed. I was reeling,I didn’t know how to even react to the very thought of him
leaving after all the warmth he provided.

And now? Now I had to remind myself that it was all pretend.

The bell above the café door jingled, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turned to see my best
friend, Emily, walking in. She immediately narrowed her eyes at me, setting her purse down on
one of the stools.

“You’ve got that look on your face”she said, crossing her arms.

“What look?” I tried to brush her off, going back to cleaning the counter.

“The look that says you have been overthinking something to death. Spill,I am all ears”

I hesitated, but Emily wasn’t one to let things go. She slid onto the stool, resting her chin in her
hand as she waited. I sighed and finally leaned against the counter, my arms crossed over my
chest.

“It’s Ryan,” I admitted.

She didn’t look surprised. “What about him?”

“I overheard him this morning on the phone. The deal he’s been working on? It’s done. Which
means... he’ll probably be leaving soon.”

Emily tilted her head, studying me. “And how do you feel about that?”

I shrugged, trying to appear indifferent. “It doesn’t matter. We’re not really together. This was
always fake.”

“Bella,” she said, her tone a mix of exasperation and concern. “Come on. I know you better than
that. You care about him.”

“That’s the problem,” I said, my voice cracking slightly. “I do care. And he’s... he’s so easy to
care about, Emily. He’s a great dad. He’s good with Luke. And he’s... he’s everything I didn’t
think I ever dreamt of wanting again.”

Emily leaned closer, her expression softening. “So why does that scare you?”

“Because it’s not real,” I said, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “It was never supposed to
be real. He made that clear from the beginning. And even if it was... he’s Ryan Blackwood. A
billionaire who has his pick of women. Do you really think he’d settle down with someone like
me? A single mom running a barely- profitable cafe?”

“Don’t do that,” Emily said firmly. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re amazing, Bella. And if he
can’t see that, then he’s an idiot.”

I shook my head, my throat tightening. “It’s not about him being an idiot. It’s about me just being
realistic. I’ve been hurt before, Emily. I’ve been left before. I can’t—” My voice broke, and I took
a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “I can’t go through that again. I can’t let myself hope for
something that’s just going to fall apart.”

Emily reached across the counter, her hand covering mine. “You’re stronger than you think. But
maybe the real question isn’t whether he’ll leave. It’s whether you’re willing to take the risk.”

I didn’t answer, and Emily didn’t press me. She just gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before
letting go.

The rest of the day passed in a blur, but the conversation with Emily lingered in the back of my
mind. When Ryan came by that evening to drop off Luke, I felt my heart clench at the sight of
him. He looked so at ease, holding Luke’s hand as they walked into the café. Alice trailed
behind them, chattering about something I couldn’t quite make out.

“Hey,” Ryan said, smiling as he approached the counter. “How was your day?”

“Fine,” I said, trying my best to force a smile. “Yours?”

“Good. I have been very busy.” He glanced at Luke, who already had his eyes set on the cookie
jar. “We had a little adventure this afternoon, didn’t we, buddy?”

Luke nodded enthusiastically.

I laughed softly, ruffling his hair. “Sounds like you had a lot of fun.”

Ryan’s eyes met mine, and for a moment,we stared at each other. I could see the questions he
was trying to hold back.

“Thanks for watching him,” I said, my tone brisk. “I’ll get him settled so you can head out.”

Ryan frowned slightly. “There’s no rush. I don’t mind staying a bit.”

I shook my head, avoiding his gaze. “It’s fine, really. You’ve got a lot going on. I don’t want to
keep you.”

“Bella,” he said, his voice low and steady. “Is something wrong?”
Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly, his brows knitting together as he stood straighter. He didn’t move
to leave like I thought he would. Instead, he took a step closer, his gaze steady, searching mine.

“Bella,please talk to me” he said again, his voice softer now, tinged with something I couldn’t
quite place,concern, maybe. “I know when something’s bothering you. You don’t have to tell me
right now, but don’t say nothing’s wrong when it clearly is.”

My chest tightened, and I forced myself to look away. If I held his gaze any longer, I might crack.
“I told you, Ryan. I’m just tired.I just need a good night’s rest.”

“Tired of what?” he pressed. There was no edge in his tone, just quiet persistence.

I huffed out a breath, gripping the edge of the counter like it could keep me steady. “Of
everything, okay? The cafe, Luke, life in general. It’s just... a lot sometimes.”

“That’s not what this is,” he said, stepping even closer. I could feel his presence, solid and
warm, and it only made it harder to keep my emotions in check. “You’ve had long days before,
Bella. I’ve seen you exhausted, but this? This is different.”

“Why does it matter anyway?” I snapped, finally meeting his eyes. My tone was sharper than I
intended, and I regretted it immediately when I saw the flicker of hurt cross his face. “Why are
you so determined to dig into this?”

“Because I care,” he said simply. His words hung between us, unguarded and raw, and I hated
how much they made my heart ache. “I care about you, Bella. And Luke. So if something’s
wrong, I want to help.”

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat threatening to choke me. “You can’t help, Ryan. Not
with this.”

“Try me,” he said, his jaw tightening. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out. Together.”

Together. That word made my chest ache so bad. Because there was no “together” here. Not
really. This was all temporary, an arrangement with an expiration date. And the closer we got to
that date, the harder it would be for me to keep my heart intact.

“Ryan, please,” I said, my voice cracking slightly. “Just let it go.”

He shook his head, his frustration evident now. “No, Bella. I’m not going to let it go. Not when
you’re shutting me out like this. Please Talk to me,tell me what’s going on.”

I clenched my jaw, willing the tears that burned at the corners of my eyes to stay put. “You
wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me,” he said again, his voice softer this time but no less insistent. “You don’t have to do
everything on your own, you know. I can be the person you lean on.”

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “Lean on you? For what? For how long? Until the deal is
done, and you leave Cedar Ridge? Because that’s what’s happening, isn’t it? You’re leaving.”

His brows furrowed, confusion flashing across his face. “Where is this coming from?”

“I heard you,” I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. “This morning. On the phone. You
said the deal was done.”

He blinked, clearly caught off guard. “That’s... yes, the deal is finalized. But what does that have
to do with—”

“Everything, Ryan!” I interrupted, my voice rising despite my best efforts to keep it steady. “It
has everything to do with this. Because once the deal is done, there’s no reason for you to stay.
And I can’t—” My voice broke, and I took a shaky breath. “I can’t let myself hope for something
that isn’t real.”

“Bella,” he said, his tone desperate now, his hands clenching at his sides. “This... what we
have... it’s not fake. At least, not for me. Not anymore.”

I froze, his words hitting me like a punch to the gut. I wanted to believe him. I really wanted to
believe that this could be real, that he could feel the same things I was trying so hard to
suppress. But the fear was too strong, too deeply rooted.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said, forcing the words out even though they felt like shards of glass in my
throat. “You’ll leave anyway. You’ll go back to your life, your world, and I’ll still be here. And I
can’t... I won’t let myself get hurt again.”

“Bella,” he started, stepping closer, his voice full of determination. “You don’t know that—”

“Stop,” I said, holding up a hand. My tone was firmer now, my resolve hardening. “Just stop.
This was never supposed to be more than an arrangement, and we should’ve kept it that way.”

His face fell, the hope in his eyes dimming. “You don’t mean that.”

I couldn’t look at him, couldn’t bear to see the hurt I knew I was causing. “Yes, I do. And the
sooner we end this, the better.”

For a moment, he didn’t move, didn’t speak. The silence between us was heavy, suffocating.
Then, finally, he exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “If that’s what you want.”

“It is,” I said, though the words felt like a lie. Maybe it was a lie….
He hesitated, his eyes probing mine one last time. But whatever he saw there made him sigh
and accept defeat, the fight draining from his shoulders. “Fine,” he said quietly. “I’ll see you
around I guess.”

I headed back to the counter, trying to keep myself busy and doing anything to distract myself
from the hollow feeling settling in my chest. But no matter how hard I tried, his words kept
echoing in my mind.

“It’s not fake. At least, not for me..”

And I hated how much I wanted to believe him.

When he finally left, I closed the door behind him and leaned against it, my chest clogged with
emotions I was trying to suppress. I just couldn’t do this anymore. I couldn’t keep pretending
that I didn’t feel something for him when every moment we spent together only made those
feelings grow stronger.

But I also couldn’t let myself get hurt again. I had spent years building walls around my heart to
protect myself and Luke. Letting Ryan in would feel like tearing those walls down brick by brick,
and I wasn’t sure I could survive the aftermath if it all came crashing down.

As I stood there in silence , I made a decision. It was time to end this. This fake relationship
had run its course, and I knew I had to walk away now before my heart got any more involved.

Even if it already felt like it was too late.

CHAPTER 14(Ryan)
Bella had been avoiding me for days, and it was driving me insane. She wasn’t answering my
calls, and the few times I’d stopped by the cafe, it was either “closed for restocking” or there was
a “family emergency.” Every excuse felt like a slap in the face. And worse, I hadn’t seen Luke
either. The kid who’d been shadowing me for weeks and who I had bonded with was suddenly
nowhere to be found, and I hated how much I missed him.

I sat in my car outside the cafe for what felt like an eternity, staring at the "Closed" sign in the
window.I was pondering my next course of action.I didn’t know what to do to get to her .Enough
was enough. I wasn’t the type to chase, but Bella Parker had me breaking every rule I had set
for myself. If she thought I’d just disappear quietly, she was wrong,dead wrong.

The moment she walked into the café from the back entrance, I jumped out of the car and went
straight to the door. I knocked, the sound sharp and demanding, and I saw her freeze through
the glass. She hesitated for a moment before coming to unlock it, but her expression was
guarded.

“Ryan,” she said, her voice low and cautious. “I am sorry,We’re not open.”

“I’m not here for coffee,” I said, stepping inside before she could try to shut me out again. “We
need to talk.”

Her hand tightened on the door handle, and for a moment, I thought she might slam it in my
face. But instead, she closed it gently and locked it again, her back to me. When she finally
turned around, her arms were crossed, her face a mix of irritation and something softer—
something that made my chest ache.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” she said, her tone clipped.

I laughed, although there was certainly no humour in it. “Oh, there’s plenty to talk about quite all
right, Bella. Starting with you providing explanations on why you’ve been avoiding me.”

“I have been busy,” she said quickly, too quickly. “The café, Luke—”

“Don’t,” I interrupted, my voice firmer than I intended. “Don’t you dare lie to me.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not lying.”

“Really? Because from where I’m standing, it looks a hell a lot like you’re running and drifting
far away. From me, from us, from whatever this is.”

“There is no ‘us,’ Ryan,” she snapped, and the sharpness in her tone hit me harder than I
expected. “There never was. We had an arrangement, and it’s over. That’s all there is to it.”

I took a step closer, my frustration boiling over. “Don’t do that. Don’t pretend this didn’t mean
anything.”

“It didn’t!” she shouted, but her voice cracked, betraying her. She turned away from me, her
shoulders tense, and I knew I was getting to her.

“Look at me,” I said, my voice softer now, but she didn’t move. “Bella, look at me.”

When she finally turned around, her eyes were glistening with unshed tears, and it felt like a
punch to the gut.

“This was never supposed to be real,” she said, her voice trembling. “It was fake, Ryan. A way
to help each other out. That was all it was.”
“That’s all it was for you?” I asked, my voice low but unrelenting. “Because it wasn’t fake for me.
It stopped being an arrangement for me a long time ago.”

She shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. “It doesn’t matter how you feel. None of
this matters at the end of the day. You’re leaving anyway.”

“And what if I wasn’t?” I shot back, the words leaving my mouth before I could think them
through.

She froze, her eyes widening slightly. “What are you talking about?”

“I mean what if I stayed?” I said, stepping closer. “What if I didn’t leave Cedar Ridge? What if I
didn’t want to?”

Her laugh was bitter, and it made my chest ache. “Don’t say things you don’t mean, Ryan. You
have a life outside of this town—a real life. You don’t belong here.”

“And you do?” I countered. “Bella, you’ve built your life around keeping people out. Around
protecting yourself. But that’s not living. That’s just you trying to survive.I want you to live,to
thrive and be happy “

She flinched like I’d struck a nerve, and for a moment, I regretted my words. But then her
expression hardened, and she squared her shoulders.

“Don’t pretend you know me,” she said quietly. “You don’t know what I’ve been through.”

“You’re right,” I said, my voice softening. “I don’t. But I want to. I want to know everything about
you. But you won’t let me in.”

Her breath hitched, and she looked away, her walls crumbling just enough for me to see the
vulnerability underneath. “Why do you even care?”

“Because I care about you,” I said, my voice rough with emotion. “And Luke. And this...
whatever this is between us.”

She shook her head, tears spilling over now. “You can’t say things like that, Ryan. You can’t
make me hope for something that isn’t real.Don’t raise my hopes to dash them,please don’t.”

I reached for her then, my hands settling gently on her arms. She didn’t pull away, but she
wouldn’t look at me either. “Bella, look at me,” I said again, my voice barely above a whisper.
When she finally did, the weight of her gaze nearly undid me.

“This is real,” I said, my voice steady. “Whatever this is, whatever it’s becoming—it’s real to me.
And I think it’s real to you too. You’re just too scared to admit it.”
She stared at me, her eyes searching mine for something—maybe reassurance, maybe the
truth. Whatever it was, I gave her everything I had, letting her see the raw, unfiltered emotions
I’d been trying to hide.

“I don’t know how to do this,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I don’t know how to let
someone in.”

“You don’t have to figure it out on your own,” I said, stepping even closer. “Let me help you.”

For a moment, neither of us moved. The air between us was charged, heavy with everything we
weren’t saying. Then, almost instinctively, my hand moved to her face, my thumb brushing away
a tear on her cheek. Her breathing paused, and before I could think better of it, I leaned in.

Then, almost imperceptibly, she swayed closer. Her gaze flicked to my lips for the briefest of
moments before meeting my eyes again. It was all the encouragement I needed.

I tilted my head, leaning in slowly, giving her plenty of time to stop me. She didn’t. If anything,
she leaned in too, her breath hitching just as my lips brushed against hers. Soft. Tentative.
Testing. It was as if the entire world had gone quiet, the only thing that mattered was what was
going on in the moment.

At first, it was cautious, like we were both afraid of shattering something fragile. But the moment
I felt her respond, her lips moving gently against mine, something inside me unraveled. My hand
moved to her face, my thumb softly brushing against her cheek as I deepened the kiss. She
tasted faintly of coffee and something sweet, and I couldn’t get enough.

Bella’s hands fisted in the front of my shirt, pulling me closer, and the little sound she made in
the back of her throat was enough to undo me completely. I slid my other hand to her waist,
drawing her against me, and the feel of her soft, warm body set my blood on fire.

This wasn’t a kiss borne of convenience or obligation. It wasn’t part of our arrangement, part of
the charade. This was real, and it terrified me even as it consumed me. Every thought, every
insecurity, every doubt faded into the background. All that existed and mattered right now was
her.

When we finally broke apart, it wasn’t because I wanted to—it was because we both needed air.
Bella’s forehead rested against mine, her breath coming in short, uneven bursts that matched
my own. Her hands were still gripping my shirt, and my own fingers lingered on her waist,
reluctant to let go.

Neither of us spoke at first, the silence heavy with unspoken words. Her eyes fluttered open,
and the vulnerability I saw there nearly knocked the wind out of me.
“Ryan,” she whispered, her voice shaky, uncertain.

“Bella,” I said, my own voice low and rough. I couldn’t stop looking at her, couldn’t stop
memorizing every detail of this moment. The way her lips were slightly swollen from our kiss.
The way her cheeks were flushed, her breathing uneven. She was beautiful. She was
everything.

She let out a nervous laugh, her hands finally releasing their grip on my shirt. She stepped back
slightly, just enough to put a sliver of space between us, and I immediately missed her warmth.

“That... that wasn’t supposed to happen,” she said, though there was no real conviction in her
voice.

“Maybe not,” I admitted, taking a deep breath to steady myself. “But I’m not sorry it did.”

Her gaze snapped to mine, wide and searching. “You should be,” she said softly, though there
was no anger in her tone. If anything, she sounded scared.

“Why?” I asked, my voice gentle. “Why should I be sorry for something that feels this right?”

“Because this isn’t real,” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “Because it can’t be.”

I shook my head, my frustration mounting. “You keep saying it’s not, Bella, but you’re wrong.
This is real. What’s between us—it’s real, whether you want to admit it or not.”

She turned away, wrapping her arms around herself like she was trying to hold herself together.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s real, Ryan. You’re leaving. This is temporary. And I can’t... I can’t let
myself hope for something that’s just going to disappear.”

“I don’t want to disappear,” I said, stepping closer again. “I don’t want this to be temporary. Don’t
you get that?”

She froze, her back still to me, and for a moment, I thought she wasn’t going to respond. But
then she turned around, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“You don’t know what you’re saying,” she whispered. “You have a life outside of this town. A life
that doesn’t include me or Luke or this café. You’re not meant to stay here, Ryan.”

“And what if I wanted to?” I asked, my voice raw. “What if I wanted to stay? What if I wanted
more than this “arrangement”?”

Her lip trembled, and she shook her head, the tears finally spilling over. “You’re only saying that
because you feel guilty. Because you think you owe me something. But you don’t, Ryan. You
don’t owe me anything.”
“This isn’t about guilt,” I said, my frustration breaking through. “This is about you. About us.
About how you make me feel like I’m not just going through the motions anymore. Like I’m
actually living. And yeah, that scares the hell out of me. But I’m willing to face it, if it means I get
to be with you.”

She stared at me, her expression torn, and I could see the war she was waging with herself.
Finally, she let out a shaky breath, wiping at her cheeks with the back of her hand.

“I can’t do this,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t risk it. I can’t risk letting you
in, only to lose you.”

“You’re not going to lose me,” I said firmly, stepping closer and taking her hands in mine. “I’m
not going anywhere, Bella. Not if you don’t want me to.”

For a moment, she just stared at me, her eyes searching mine for something—maybe
reassurance, maybe truth. Whatever it was, I let her see everything I was feeling, everything I
couldn’t put into words.

Then, without warning, she surged forward, her hands tangling in my shirt as her lips crashed
into mine. This kiss was different from the first. It was desperate, hungry, like she was pouring
every doubt, every fear, every hope into it.

I met her halfway, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her as close as I could. The world
fell away again, leaving only her. Only us.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard, our foreheads pressed together.

“I’m scared,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“I know,” I said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “But I’m here. And I’m not going
anywhere.”

For the first time, I saw a glimmer of hope in her eyes. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.
Enough to make me believe that maybe, just maybe, we had a chance.

CHAPTER 15 (Bella)
I didn’t mean to overhear the chattering and gossip going on.Really, I didn’t. But it was hard
not to, standing behind the counter at the cafe, refilling the pastry case as the morning crowd
buzzed with chatter.
“You think she’s the one he will choose?” a voice said from the corner. It was Gina, one of
Cedar Ridge’s most notorious gossips. She wasn’t even trying to whisper.

“I mean, come on,” someone else replied—a man’s voice I didn’t recognize. “She’s just... a
placeholder, right? Ryan Blackwood? He’s not going to settle down with someone like her.
Single mom, runs a cafe? Please.A man of his calibre dates only women in the upper echelons
of society.”

I froze, the muffin tray in my hand trembling slightly. A lump formed in my throat, hot and heavy,
and I had to blink hard to keep my vision clear. I didn’t know what stung more—the words or the
fact that they felt like they might be true. Maybe they were true….

Ryan deserved someone glamorous, someone more polished, someone who fit seamlessly into
the world he came from. I wasn’t that person. I never would be.

I took a deep breath, setting the tray down with more force than necessary. My hands were
shaking, and I hated how easily I let their words get to me. But it wasn’t just their words, was it?
It was my own doubts and fears, the ones I couldn’t seem to shake no matter how much time I
spent with Ryan.

He was too good to be true. And I was just waiting for the moment he realized that.

By the time Ryan walked into the cafe that afternoon, I had already made up my mind to put
some distance between us. Again. It wasn’t fair to him, I knew that, but it felt like the only way to
protect myself. So I had to make a decision to once again protect myself from the inevitable.

“Hey,” he said, his voice warm as he approached the counter. His smile was enough to make
my heart do that ridiculous fluttering thing it always did around him.

“Hi,” I replied, keeping my tone polite but distant.

His brow furrowed immediately, and I cursed myself for not being better at hiding my emotions.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, leaning on the counter.

“Nothing,” I said too quickly. “Just busy, that’s all.”

Ryan didn’t buy it for a second. He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me.
“You’ve been avoiding my calls,once again,” he said finally.

“I’ve been busy,” I repeated, grabbing a rag and pretending to wipe down the already clean
counter.

“Bella,” he said, his voice lower now, more serious. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I said again, avoiding his gaze.

He wasn’t having it. He reached across the counter, his hand covering mine and stilling my
movements. “Stop,” he said softly. “Whatever this is, just... stop. Talk to me.”

I swallowed hard, my resolve wavering under the weight of his concern. But then I remembered
Gina’s voice, that cruel, dismissive tone, and I pulled my hand back like his touch burned.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I think we should just...
take a step back. This... whatever this is—it’s not working.”

Ryan straightened, his expression shifting from concern to frustration. “Not working? Bella,
we’ve been doing fine. More than fine. What’s really going on?”

“I told you,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. “I’ve been busy, Ryan. I don’t have time
for... this.”

“For me, you mean?” he asked, his voice hardening.

I flinched but didn’t respond.

“Don’t do this,” he said, stepping closer, his voice softer now but no less intense. “Don’t shut me
out, Bella. Not again.”

“I’m not shutting you out,” I lied, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Yes, you are,” he said, his tone edged with frustration. “And I want to know why.”

“Why does it matter?” I shot back, my emotions finally bubbling to the surface. “You’re leaving
anyway, right? So what’s the point?”

Ryan blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Where is this coming from?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said, shaking my head. “I just think it’s better if we keep things simple. For
Luke’s sake.”

“This isn’t about Luke,” he said firmly. “This is about you. About us. And I’m not going to let you
push me away without a real explanation.”

“There is no ‘us,’ Ryan,” I said, my voice cracking despite my best efforts. “There never was.
This was all just... pretend, remember?”
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he didn’t say anything. When he finally spoke, his voice
was low and controlled. “You don’t mean that.”

“Don’t I?” I challenged, even as my chest ached with the effort of keeping up the lie.

“No, you don’t,” he said, stepping even closer. “Because I’ve seen the way you look at me,
Bella. And it’s not pretend. Not for either of us.”

I looked away, unable to meet his gaze.

“Talk to me,” he said again, his voice pleading now. “Tell me what’s really going on.”

“I can’t,” I whispered, my throat tightening.

“Why not?” he asked, his frustration giving way to hurt.

“Because it doesn’t matter!” I burst out, finally looking at him. “Because no matter what I feel, no
matter what you say, it’s not going to change anything. You’ll leave. And I’ll be here, picking up
the pieces. Again.”

“Bella,” he said softly, reaching for me.

I stepped back, shaking my head. “Don’t. Please, don’t.”

He dropped his hand, his shoulders slumping slightly. For a moment, he just stood there, staring
at me like he was trying to figure out how to fix something that was already broken.

“I’m not leaving,” he said finally, his voice steady.

“You will,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “You might not mean to, but you will. And I
can’t do that again, Ryan. I can’t.”

The silence that followed was heavy, suffocating. Ryan ran a hand through his hair, exhaling
sharply. “You’re scared,” he said quietly. “And I get that. But you don’t have to do this alone,
Bella. You don’t have to keep pushing people away.”