"It's been going on for a while now!" She cried.

"How can you be so sure? Did he confess?"

She shook her head. "But I know... I just know."

"Mom, you can't accuse Dad without proof! How can you tell?"

"He's always away... he's talking to someone secretly on the phone... I know he's having an affair!"

"Mother, come on. You can't be sure so don't stress yourself out. Dad is innocent until proven guilty."

I tried to console my mother. I know my Dad. He can't have an affair. He's too sweet for that. He's a responsible guy.

Ryder didn't say much to me on our way back to his apartment. But he held my hand. I was happy about the silence and the comfort he provided.

When we reached his apartment, I picked up my phone and gave my father a call. He wasn't answering. I tried about ten times, no success.

I stared over at the wonderful New York view in Ryder's balcony. Tears threatened to pour down my eyes. How could my mother think that my Dad was cheating? Maybe Mom was just being paranoid about the whole thing.

Suddenly, I felt arms wrap around me from behind. Ryder kissed my neck gently.

"You're ready to talk?" He asked.

I sighed. "I don't even know what to say." I said. "My mother thinks my father is cheating. I tried calling my Dad but he wasn't picking up."

"How do you feel about it?"

"Confused. I love them both. But if Dad really is cheating, I don't think I'll be able to forgive him either. I know what it's like to be cheated on. It's ugly and it hurts."

"But you're better off now, aren't you?" He asked.

I turned around to face him so I could look into his eyes. "Which Ryder are you now? Ryder, the multi-millionaire, or Ryder, the substitute bartender who saved me from hell?"

"I'm Ryder Van Woodsen, the guy who would go to hell and back for you." He whispered. "Doesn't matter whether I'm rich or poor."

I smiled at him. "Then yes. I'm definitely better off now." I whispered.

He leaned down and kissed me gently. After the kiss, I sighed and gave him a hug. I leaned my head on his shoulder.

I closed my eyes and inhaled his sweet masculine scent. Ryder, whether rich or poor, is my solid rock. And he's becoming more precious to me each second. I wish I was ready to jump into a new relationship. I wish Kevin Moore didn't make me feel I will never be good enough to date a filthy rich guy. I wish Bryan didn't teach me to protect my heart with my life. I wish Ryder was just a simple guy who would rather hold my heart in his hands than the world full of power and privilege. I wish things were just as easy as ABC or 123. I wish this moment with Ryder would be frozen for eternity. Right here. Right now. Where I'm not afraid to open up my heart again. And Ryder isn't cynical about women dating him for his money. Here, where we are at equal footing. So I wouldn't have to worry about broken hearts or shattered dreams.

"Can you stay like this forever?" I whispered.

He tightened his arms around me. He sighed. "Can you stay like this forever?" He asked back.

"We're complicated, Ryder."

He shook his head. "No. You are complicated, Astrid. Me, I know what I want. It's you who have to figure out what you want."

I whispered. "You can't really want me."

He took a deep breath. "But I do! God, I want you... so much!" There was frustration in his voice.

I stared up at him. "Ryder, I'm not ready for a relationship yet. And even if I am, I'm afraid you are more than I can handle."

"I want to kill whoever made you like this!" He whispered.

I shook my head. "It's not just that, Ryder. I don't want to get heartbroken again... especially not by you. I don't want to lose you, Ryder. So let's just... stay as we are. Uncomplicated. Friends."

He took a deep breath. When he looked back at me, I think I saw defeat in his eyes. Then finally he said, "You're still in New York. And we still have a deal." He bent to give me a thorough kiss on the lips. Then he swung me up in his arms bridal style and carried me to bed.

When we reached Malibu and I said goodbye to my family, I didn't feel like going home just yet.

"Wanna grab a bite?" Ryder asked.

I smiled at him and squeezed his hand. It's like, he can read my thoughts loudly and clearly.

I nodded. He smiled at me. Then he drove to Oil Rig. The place was packed but he led me to a reserved VIP area. He asked what I wanted to eat.

"Boy, I could really eat some steak, huh!"

He laughed. "Alright. You deserve some comfort food. Steak it is!"

My phone rang. It was Dannie. "Are you still in New York?"

"Nope. Just got back to Malibu." I replied.

"Where are you?"

"Just got to Oil Rig."

"We were there a couple of minutes ago. It's packed! Did you get a table?"

"Yeah. I'm having dinner here!"

"How did you manage that? The line was too damn long!"

"I'm with... Ryder."

"Well, that's convenient! I'd have a table too if I was hooking up with the owner!" He said sarcastically.

I sighed. "I don't have time for that Dannie. My parents are having a big fight! I just want to forget about them for a while."

"Oh shoot! I'm sorry!" He said apologetically. "Can we join you there?"

I looked at Ryder and he knew what I was about to ask him before I opened my mouth. "Three?"

I nodded.

"Send them in, I'll give instructions at the reception." He said.

I smiled at him. "Thanks."

In a few minutes, we were joined by Nicole, Dannie and John.

I told them about New York and how my mother went there to get her mind off her fight with my father. Ryder dined with us and then he excused himself for a while to check up on his staff.

"Oh my God!" Nicole beamed looking at me. "I was dying to ask! What is that on your neck?"

"Um... a necklace?"

"Did you buy that or did you get that as a present from your very rich boyfriend?" Dannie asked.

"He's not my boyfriend!" I protested.

"But he gave you that?" Dannie asked.

I sighed. They knew I couldn't afford the necklace yet, so there's no point in lying to them.

"Yeah he did. And don't ask me why." I said.

"And you're wearing your engagement ring again!" Nicole said surveying my finger.

"I had to. My mother knew about the engagement. They were looking for a ring. Ryder had to give it back to me."

"So he never returned the ring after you returned it to him?" John asked.

I shook my head.

"What's this? He's got a standby engagement ring handy?" John teased.

I glared at John before Ryder returned to our table. Then Nicole and Dannie asked me to dance.

"He's watching you." Dannie whispered against my ear.

"Who?"

"Who else?" Dannie said looking over at our table. I turned around and saw Ryder with John. He was looking at me. When our eyes met, he winked.

"I think he really likes you." Nicole said.

"He plays his part very well!" I said. "Too well, I'm afraid my family will be heartbroken if we break this thing off. It's not real. You guys have to remember that."

"Well, tell that to him not us!" Nicole said evenly.

"Do you like him?" Dannie asked.

I sighed. "Yes. But do I want my heart to be broken again? No."

"But you want him."

"I've wanted him from the moment I met him. But it's... complicated. And I don't want to risk my heart or my friendship with him for something that might not last forever."

"Why do you keep saying that?"

"Because I've been there before. Guys like Ryder have fun with girls like me but at the end of the day, their families expect them to marry within their own circle."

"Ash, one rich guy shot you down. Who knows? Maybe Ryder is different!" Nicole said.

"Do I really want to risk everything we have just to prove myself wrong?" I asked.

"Don't you think he's worth the shot?" Dannie asked.

"Guys, I went here to have a bit of fun so I can forget that my parents' marriage may be on the rocks. Leave Ryder and I alone for a while, okay?"

The two finally let it go, but I know the looks on their faces. Someday, if I regret my decision not to go after Ryder, I've got two best friends who will tell me, "I told you so."

It was one in the morning when we decided to go home. I've had six bottles of alcohol and I'm feeling tipsy.

"I'll take you home." Ryder offered. I said goodbye to my friends and let Ryder lead me to his car.

"When will you be back to Manhattan?" I asked him.

"Tomorrow, six A.M." He replied. He looked at me wearily. "Are you sure you wanna be alone?" He asked reaching out for my hand.

I intertwined our fingers. It felt warm and I instantly felt comforted. I didn't answer, but tears kept rolling down my cheeks.

He knew the answer even though I didn't say anything. The next thing I knew, he was parking his car in front of his house.

He opened the car door for me. I'm not sure what we're doing here but I'm sure it's a lot better than whining inside my room alone.

He lit the fireplace in his living room. Then he pulled me to sit beside him on the couch. My heart pounded in my chest. He promised not to make any move on me. The deal we had expired the minute we left New York.

He put his arms around me and held me.