"There may be a line, but that doesn't mean I have to take my pick every single time."

"Why is that? You said to me last night that you don't bring women here. You don't have condoms in your wallet. Why?"

"Why not? So I don't have plenty of sex. What's the big deal?"

"You're not gay."

"Hell no!" He said. "You of all people should be able to tell that!"

I laughed. "Then why don't you have sex all the time like guys of your age and privilege do?"

He shrugged. "I don't pick sexual partners overnight like some men do. I've always been pretty cautious. And besides... why would you share your bed with someone you can't bare to look at in the morning?"

"Supermodels and girls who look like Alizia are running after you. They're beautiful! Why can't you bare to look at them in the morning?"

"Because it's all clothes and makeup." He replied. "Nothing much underneath."

"And you don't like women who wear nice clothes and makeup?"

"I want one who looks more beautiful without makeup and wearing the simplest of clothes. Someone who looks prettier in the morning, with her skin so fresh and her hair disheveled against the pillows. Someone whose smile in the morning is brighter than the sunshine." He said solemnly and looking at me deeply.

I stared back at him, not knowing what to say. I don't know why, but I knew I was blushing.

"Someone whose cheeks turn the darkest shade of pink at a mere compliment I throw her way."

I turned away from him. Instantly, I felt him tilt my chin so I can look into his eyes.

"Yes, Astrid. Just in case you were wondering. I was talking about you."

I sighed. "You're still Ryder Van Woodsen."

"So?"

"So we will never work." I said to him. "Someday we'll drift apart from each other and I will lose you... and I don't want that, Ryder. I would rather have you as a friend and know that I can call you or see you once in a while than lose you forever. You've... grown too dear to me. So we cannot insist on making this real. And besides... I'm not ready to commit myself just yet."

He sighed and somehow, I detected a hint of frustration in him. He stared at me and said, "So until then we'll just be friends?"

"We will always be... just friends."

"For your information, friends don't do what we did last night and this morning." He argued.

"That was a slip." I said, turning red again. "We really have to stop, Ryder."

He leaned forward and gave me a kiss on the lips. I kissed him back. When he pulled away from me, he said, "Yeah, good luck with that."

I reached out and pinched him in his arm as hard as I could.

"Ouch!" He yelped.

He took both my hands and pinned them at the top of my head. I struggled to get away from him but he was too strong for me. Then he leaned forward and kissed me again thoroughly. And then we were both lost again after that.

When it was over, we both lied down in bed staring at each other thoughtfully.

"I'm serious, Ryder. We have to stop."

"Hmmm..." Was all he said.

I took a deep breath. "I'll make you a deal. New York." I said. I cannot believe I was going to do this again, but somehow, with Ryder, I just can't seem to help myself. I don't want to want him, but damn, I do! I can't help but give in to him... at least one more time. For the last time, I promised myself.

"I'm listening." He said.

"It ends when I leave New York."

He took a minute and then he answered, "Okay. I won't make advances on you when we get back to Malibu. But until then, I have a whole weekend to do whatever I want with you."

"Can you do me a favor?" I asked.

"Anything for you, Ash."

"Can you stop being Ryder Van Woodsen for a day?"

"What do you mean?"

"I meant no expensive cars, no platinum credit cards, no high-class restaurants, no expensive presents. I want you to be you. Just you." I stared at him. "Like the bartender I met that night." And I knew I asked him this because that bartender seemed more real to me. That guy seemed more like the guy I can dream to be with.

He smiled, and this smile really touched his eyes. He leaned forward and gave me a kiss on the lips. "Yes. And you, my love, are officially mine today."

I don't know how long we made out in bed. We were laughing, tickling each other and chatting. Then we took a shower together. It felt good to be free to express what I feel for Ryder.

He put on a pair of jeans and a white hooded sweater. I smiled because he looks like the boy next door... a beautiful boy next door.

"You can't take your car." I reminded him when we were out of his building.

He smiled. Then he pulled me to him and gave me a kiss on the lips. "I know the rules, love."

We took a cab to the hotel. I told my family that Ryder's car needed to go for service and thus we have to commute or take a taxi today. My family didn't mind. The weather was perfect. And besides, it was nice to experience being a first-hand New Yorker.

To my surprise, Ryder knew how to take a bus and the train. He knows the city quite well, and he looks comfortable commuting like... an ordinary person. When we were walking down Sixth Avenue, I was looking at him thoughtfully. It dawned on me, that I really, really like him. Ryder fits in this world too... my world.

He stared at me and smiled and then he put an arm around me and kissed my forehead. I put my arm around his waist and I leaned my head on his shoulder. I knew that right then, in that moment, we were a picture of bliss.

He told my Aunt, Uncle and my mother that we will go somewhere and we'll meet them back at Macy's after an hour. Then he took my hand in his and led me out into the streets.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"I want to show you something." He said.

We walked a couple of blocks and then he led me to a lane where there are bridal shops, stores that sell wedding favors, and then florists.

"Wow!" I beamed as I went inside one bridal shop to study the quality of their wedding gowns.

I was delighted to go to the wedding favors' shop and saw a variety of materials that I can use for the weddings that I plan.

Ryder was staring at me seriously.

"What?" I asked.

"Weddings happen in New York almost every hour." He said. "You'll get plenty of supplies here. And with your ideas, you'd be a hit here."

I raised at brow.

"Did you not consider branching out?"

"In Manhattan?"

He nodded.

"I'm fairly new. I haven't even showed profits."

"But you're growing at record rate."

I shook my head. "I'm merely an employee there. It's not my decision to make."

He took a deep breath. "I'm sure you can convince your investor."

"Maybe. But I want to show income first."

He nodded. Then he took my hand and pulled me out of the shop.

"If I branch out here, then I'd be like you. Half here, half in Malibu."

He stared at me and his eyes glittered. "Exactly!" And without giving me time to react, he leaned forward and kissed me thoroughly.

Chapter Eighteen.

FLOWERS:.

An important element that makes up the whole of a wedding. Flowers must go with the theme, and must always match or compliment the motif.

I found my mother in deep conversation with my aunt. When she saw us coming, she turned away, but not before I saw that her eyes were glistening with tears.

I raised a brow at my Aunt but she merely shrugged.

We went back to the hotel. Uncle Reynolds and Ryder had coffee in the living room and I figured it was time to speak to my Mom and Aunt privately.

"What's going on, Mom?"

She shook her head.

"Mother, I'm not a child anymore. Tell me what's wrong."

All of a sudden she launched into a fit.

"Oh my God, Mom!" I said, hugging her.

"Your... father is having an affair!" She burst out.

"What? When?"