A/N: Don't kill me, but I've had this chapter written for like a month now. I swear to God, I thought I had already posted it. Then I someone reviewed this today and I was checking my email and it hit me that I never did update. In any case, thanks to mcooper11, iargyrop, najeda, person who didnt name themself, RJMoonspell4, 01ryanlover, and vans for the awesome reviews on the last chapter. Here you go, the last post.

It didn't take too long for Marissa to figure out who she wanted leave, but more importantly, who she wanted to stay. She took one last look around her living room before trotting down the basement stairs.

Kevin was sitting in an armchair, silent and far away from Ryan and Luke. Ryan and Luke were leaning against the wall making small talk, which ceased when Marissa entered the room. Each young man studied her face carefully, hoping for a clue as to who she would choose, but her eyes gave away no secrets and mouth remained unmoving until she went to speak.

"Luke, I had a great time with you today. I learned something new and cooled off in the process. Ryan, lunch with you was awesome. I loved hearing about your hopes and dreams. Kevin, I've been dating you for a while now and um, yeah, that's about all I can say about you. All three of you are great in your own ways but unfortunately I can only choose one of you," Marissa still gave away no hints. The three guys were all getting very nervous.

"Luke," Marissa began. Luke smiled weakly, he knew he was gone. "I had fun learning to surf but I felt you were a little too interested in my body. I had a great time talking to you but I feel like we'd be better as friends. I'm sorry," Marissa apologized. "Don't be, I had fun. It was nice meeting you," Luke said as he let himself out.

Marissa's gaze shifted to Kevin and Ryan. Kevin's blond buzz cut and blue eyes were hot, but hot wasn't necessarily what she was looking for. Ryan's sandy blond tresses were thick and his cerulean irises were mesmerizing, he was just as good looking as Kevin if not more. But this competition wasn't about looks, it was also about personality.

"Kevin, you're nice when you want to be, and you really do care about me. You don't always go about showing the right way though. Ryan, I had so much fun with you at the pond. You were so sweet and while I will admit that cage fighting was a turn off at first, it has upside in that I know you can protect me. I loved how you told me you wanted to be an architect, it showed that you want to do something with your life. This decision wasn't easy, but I have chosen one of you," Marissa said.

Ryan let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding in. Kevin didn't even look nervous. He was the familiar, the routine, the same old same old, she wouldn't give up that security would she? Kevin didn't seem to think so, but Ryan was praying for it.

"Ryan," She began, and his face fell. Kevin's lips curled into a satisfied smile. He had won, or so he thought. "Ryan, I had so much fun with you, and you are an amazing kisser. When you wrapped your arms around me when I was shivering, that pretty much sealed the deal. You're one of those once in lifetime guys, the guys that you can see yourself with in the future. The guys that really care about you. I'd be a fool to let you go," Marissa admitted with a smile.

"And I was a fool to ever date you," Kevin said, ruining the moment. "It's a good thing you're like awesome in the sack or I would have dumped you forever ago," he said angrily as he showed himself out. Jimmy smiled and patted Marissa on the shoulder, "I knew you'd make the right choice, kiddo." Julie pursed her lips before letting on a little smile of her own, "Your dad's right. You made the right choice." She gave Marissa a little hug and then turned to Ryan. "You hurt my baby girl and I will break your face." Jimmy and Julie went back upstairs, leaving Ryan and Marissa alone.

"You looked scared," Marissa said as she sat down next to Ryan. "I was," he admitted softly. Marissa smiled, "You shouldn't have been." And with that, she leaned in close and kissed him. Not like the pecks at the beach, but a passionate, lasting kiss. A few moments later they pulled apart and Marissa rested her head on Ryan's shoulder, content in his embrace. "You shouldn't have been scared because you never had any competition."

THE END