"I already miss them," I say to Ryder as we walk through the door to his apartment. The cold instantly sends a shiver through my body. "And I miss the fact they always kept the house warm, not cold and dark like a cave."

He just chuckles as he sets our luggage off to the side. "I miss them too. I was surprised at how well you fit in. Even Lorena grew to love you." I was surprised, too. I can't believe I was ever so nervous. As for Lorena, everything turned out completely opposite of how our relationship was at the start. We bonded over shopping, even though we were shopping for different things. She even taught me how to do makeup a little. My eyebrows have never been as 'on fleek.' I guess her teenage terminology rubbed off onto me a bit as well.

"Please tell me you're not planning on making me do anything other than sit here today," I say while laying down on the couch.

"I've got something in mind," he replies with a seductive wink, to which I roll my eyes. Nothing sensual has happened between us since the morning after our date, and I can definitely tell he's getting anxious.

"But I want to sleep," I argue. "We've been traveling so much." Instead of letting me get comfortable on the couch, he scoops me up and takes us to the bedroom, all while planting sweet kisses down my neck. Thankfully he didn't trip over anything, since he wasn't paying attention to anything but me.

We fall onto the bed, and I giggle at him. "No sleeping just yet," he growls out in his husky voice. "Play first, sleep later." I roll my eyes again, but slam my lips to his in anticipation.

"Corina, wake up," Ryder whispers into my ear. I crack my eyes open to see his bright green ones staring back, twinkling from the light of the lamp. He's got an adorable smile, and he's stroking my hair. "I've got a surprise for you."

"Unless this surprise is right here, I don't want it," I grumble in response, rolling over to avoid his gaze.

"I think this surprise is worth it," he chirps back. Why in the hell is he so awake and cheery?

"No."

"Get up, lazy."

"Shut up, idiot." At my last comment, he does the unthinkable. He tickles me.

"You going to get up yet?" His fingers make their way to the inside of my thigh; the most ticklish spot on my body.

Uncontrollably laughing, I manage to squeak out a "yes," but that doesn't satisfy him. He instead continues, sending me into tears from laughing even more. I finally push him away. "Rude."

"I thought it was fucking hilarious," he comments while getting dressed. "Now get up and get dressed. We have to be quick."

"Don't rush me, asshole." He just walks away with a smirk, leaving me alone in his room.

Searching through my clothes, I decide on a fitted tank top, some skinny jeans, and my boots in hopes that he's taking me on a sporadic ride. When I greet him in the living room, however, he shakes his head is disapproval and points back to the bedroom indicating for me to change.

"I was hoping it was a spur of the moment ride," I say to him while turning around, my head lowered in disappointment.

"Wear something cute!" He replies while typing something onto his phone. I mentally groan at that. It's almost six in the evening, and I want to be in my pajamas getting ready for bed, not getting ready for a surprise.

Digging through my wardrobe again, I pull out a cold-shoulder top that Lorena had picked out for me when I took her to the mall one day. It is cute, with white lace at the neckline, all shades of blue floral print all over, and bell sleeves, but it just isn't my style. I slip it on anyway, replacing my boots with a pair of wedged sandals she had also forced me to buy.

Looking into the mirror, I see mascara smudges all over my face, but my eyebrows still look great. Bless this Dip Brow Pomade from Anastasia Beverly Hills! I remove the mascara and reapply it, then add some concealer to my dark circles. As for my hair, it's a mess per usual, so I leave it alone. That mane is too much for me to tame.

I return to the living room, and Ryder eyes me up and down, eventually nodding in approval while quickly ushering me out the door.

"Aren't you going to tell me I look beautiful?" I say sarcastically as I sit in the passenger seat.

"That's so cliche," he says with a smile. "You know I think you look beautiful."

"You're supposed to say it, shit head! That way I know for sure!" I laugh at him as he rolls his eyes and backs the car out of the driveway.

"You look beautiful, idiot, but that outfit isn't you."

"Obviously, idiot," I reply. "My style is more 'biker chic,' but you made me change into something your sister would wear."

"You will appreciate me for the outfit change later," he adds mysteriously before diverting his full attention to the road.

Twenty minutes later, and we're pulling up to the beach. The sunset it just as beautiful as ever, the pinks and blues meshing together to look almost like a watercolor painting. Seagulls fly overhead, cawing at each other.

"Look at all those chickens," I mutter, quoting a Vine. Ryder snorts in response before grabbing my hand in his and leading me onto the sand. I start wobbling while walking, nearly losing my balance in my wedges.

"Just take your shoes off, idiot," he says, noticing my unsteadiness.

"But then my feet will burn from the sand," I argue back.

"You'll be fine. Don't be a wimp."

"I, Corina Hamilton, am not a wimp," I declare. Letting go of his hand, I reach down to slide off my shoes. Once they're off, I cautiously place my feet back onto the sand. Relief washes over me when the bottoms of my feet don't burn off.

"Told ya you'd be fine," Ryder chuckles as he replaces my hand in his.

"Whatever," I mumble as we walk toward the deep blue ocean. The waves are crashing hard against the shore, washing over our feet as we walk along, hand in hand, taking in the beauty of our surroundings. "So what was that surprise?" I ask.

"Patience, young grasshopper," he replies.

"You're weird," I smile up to him, taking in his silhouette in the setting sunshine.

"You're one to talk."

"Your weirdness is why I love you," I continue as I rest my head against him.

"Huh," he replies. "Thought it was because of my good looks and manly charm."

"I mean, I guess that helps." He smirks, and I can't help but smirk back.

A few minutes later, we come to a stop near a rocky ledge. The wind blows my hair across my face, tickling my nose. "This is beautiful," I whisper as I stare out to the miles of ocean visible from this altitude.

"I thought you'd love it." He takes a step forward, admiring the view with me. "But you're much more beautiful."

"Wow, so romantic." I roll my eyes at his cheesy statement, but wrap my arms around his waist anyway. Neither one of us are good at romance, but at least we try.

"I love you," he whispers while staring straight ahead.

"I love you," I return.

We sit in silence for awhile, enjoying our time together. Eventually, Ryder lets out a deep, shaky breath before turning to me.

"Corina," he says, his tone unsure.

"Ryder," I reply questioningly.

"I have something to say to you, and I want you to listen. No cheesy jokes, no eye rolls, nothing like that. Just listen, okay?" His voice breaks with his words, and instantly my heart shatters. He looks so distraught, so fragile, like he might break at any moment, and I instantly know what's happening: he's breaking up with me. I don't know what's caused this, why he feels this way. Maybe it was my wreck, maybe it was the argument we had before my wreck, or maybe something that happened during our trip. He clearly brought me here to put my mind to ease before, probably thinking that the scenery and the peace would keep me from getting upset.

I just want to run, leave before he can break my heart, but there's something telling me to stay, hear him out. Maybe it's his pleading eyes, or the fact that I feel as though I'm glued to the rock I'm standing on. My eyes start to water, panic setting in. I'm about to lose the love of my life, and there's nothing I can do about it except stand here and take it.

"Why are you crying?" he asks in a whisper, wiping the now falling tears off of my cheek. I turn my head away. I can't bear his touch, the concerned look on his face. If he's so concerned, why would he be doing this? "Corina?" I shake my head, unable to answer.

The tears start to flow more, my eyes swelling and mascara dripping onto my shirt. I know I need to stop this and listen to him, but I just can't. My heart is shattering all over the place, and I don't have a clue as to how to handle it.

His hand gently encompasses my cheek, turning me to face him. He's wearing a goofy smile, more than likely to comfort me in this terrible situation. It works, as my sobs subside, leaving me with puffy eyes and a sniffle here and there. "Just say it, Ryder. Get it out of the way. Please stop prolonging this, it's just breaking me more as time goes on," I finally spit out, more hastily than I planned.

"What do you mean?" His expression softens again, the vulnerability and pain from my words evident.

"You're clearly breaking up with me. Just spare my feelings and do it." The pain and anger from my tone startles him, but he starts to laugh.

"I'm not breaking up with you, idiot," he laughs more.

"Then what the fuck are you doing?" Now I'm livid. He's dragging me through this torture, showing all the signs of a breakup, yet says this isn't the end?

"Just shut up and listen to me." He tone turns serious, and I know I need to listen. If he's not breaking up with me, then I desperately need to figure out what he's trying to say.

"Okay," I mutter out, staring intently into his eyes.

"Corina," he takes a deep, shaky breath. "From the moment you started pounding on my door when you first moved here, I knew you were special. You had this annoying, quirky quality to you that I instantly became intrigued with. When I slammed my door in your face, I knew I made a mistake, but you persisted still, yelling at my door with such determination, and I was thankful. When I let you in, I saw this beauty radiate from you that I had never seen before. Your happiness rubbed onto me, making me break out of my dark place. You saved me from myself."

"Ryder," I breathe out, hearing the pain in his voice. He stops me before I can continue, indicating he isn't done.

"I fell in love with you so fast that it was scary. I've never felt love like this before. I craved your presence, your touch. During our food fight in your kitchen with those nasty ass mashed potatoes was when I realized that I needed you in my life. When Gina walked in, I thought she knew my feelings for you. I was so afraid that she would tell you and scare you away, but you don't scare that easy. When I saw you in that robe, I knew that I wanted you, both physically and emotionally. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and I know that sounds cliche, but it's true. I love you, Corina, more than I will ever be able to put into words."

I stare at him in disbelief. This is the exact opposite of him breaking up with me. This is Ryder Cunningham himself standing before me declaring his love for me. This is him opening up, showing me what a real man is, what love is. I smile, tears flowing again, but I'm not sad. I'm so genuinely happy, the happiest I feel I've been in a long time.

Turning my attention back to him, and see him digging another one of those God forsaken black boxes out of his pocket as he bends down on one knee. I start to panic as he opens it up and reveals a gorgeous vintage-style ring. "Ryder-" I start, but he cuts me off.

"No, you paranoid little shit," he laughs out. "I am not proposing marriage to you. Don't worry that pretty little head of yours. I am, however, proposing a promise. A promise to love each other unconditionally and indefinitely. A promise to always be a support for each other no matter the circumstances. This ring indicates this promise, and I want to know whether you accept."

The world goes silent at the end of his speech. There's nothing around expect for the two of us, staring lovingly at each other. He's nervous, his hands shaking, breathing deep and erratic. My breaths have stopped all together.

"Corina, what do you say?" His pleading eyes are filling to the brim with tears, as are mine.

I sprint up to him as he raises back to his normal height. I jump into his arms, squealing with delight. "Yes!" I scream, loud enough for the beach-goers below us to stare. I don't care, though. They can stare all they want because this is a beautiful moment everyone should get to enjoy.

A flash goes off behind me, and I see group of familiar people. All of Ryder's family and friends, as well as my parents, Josh, Caitlin, Gina, Steve, and even Falcon and Bones watch on, taking pictures of us. A few of them are even crying.

"Aw, baby," my mom says through her tears. I hug her as tight as I can.

"Ryder, what the hell?" I call back to him.

"I thought they would be a nice addition to such a beautiful moment." He snakes an arm around my waist after I back away from my mom.

I smile, observing the group of my favorite people. "Now let me see that ring," I boast in excitement.

He opens the box again, and I revel in the beauty. There's a large emerald in the middle with smaller diamonds on the band, all the jewels sparkling in the sunset. "This was my grandmother's engagement ring. She gave it to me not long before she passed away, telling me to give it to the girl that she would love almost as much as I do, and here you are. I wish you could've meet her, but I know she loves you no matter where she's at."

A small tear slips down his face, and I wipe it away. "She's proud of you for finding a great girl like me, you know that?" I smile, hoping to lighten the mood. "But I know she's even more proud of the fact you became such a wonderful man." I hug him, and he hugs me back, holding on for what feels like eternity.

I never knew that in my life, I would find a love like this, a love so real and deep that I could picture myself one day marrying this man, having his children, growing old together. Yet, here I am, surrounded with friends and family, wearing the most beautiful and meaningful promise ring to exist. Now, I can't wait for time to pass, to be Ryder's wife, to be the mother of his children, and to grow old with him. I can't wait to experience the journey of life with him by my side the entire way.

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Guys, I'm about to cry. This book is OVER!

I've grown so emotionally attached to Ryder and Corina over the past few weeks of writing this book. It may be a trashy, cliche book, but I'm so in love with and proud of it.

I know this is a shorter story compared to the ones here on Wattpad, and I'm sorry to those of you who want more, but I just feel as though Ryder and Corina's story is over. I will be writing an epilogue to completely finish everything, though, so keep an eye out for that.

To all of you who have read and enjoyed this story, thank you. At the end of me finishing this, there's 314 reads. I would say that's a pretty good amount for a story I started not even a month ago on a topic that most people won't really search for. I'm sure I scared a lot of people away in the first few chapters with all the motorcycle talk and not a lot of romance, but that's how I wanted the story to start. So, to those of you who stayed and read it all, you're the best. Thank you again.

As for now, I'm going to work on the epilogue to wrap everything up! I'll see you all soon!

Byeeeeee