Chapter 14—

Ryan and Marissa drove down the long streets of Newport.

It had been 2 weeks since they had returned – they were going to see an architect that Kirsten recommended for Ryan – it would be a good job with a good pay up in Berkley – in construction.

'Come on Ry we're going to be late!' Marissa urged.

'It's normally me telling you that we're going to be late.' Ryan answered surprised.

'Well there's a first time for everything.' Marissa smiled.

That old black magic has me in its spell
That old black magic that you weave so well
Icy fingers up and down my spine
The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine

7:15pm – they were supposed to be there at 7pm.

They were late, so late.

'You're NOT going fast enough!' Marissa shouted.

'I'm going 80 on a 70 road!' Ryan shouted back, 'I can't go any faster.'

'90 is the new 80.' Marissa replied.

'You sound like Seth.'

'I actually sound like Summer.'

'Smart ass.' Ryan mumbled.

The same old tingle that I feel inside
When that elevator starts its ride
Down and down I go, round and round I go
Like a leaf that's caught in the tide

'Well if you can't go any faster.' Marissa paused, 'You'll have to get out.'

'What?' Ryan asked confused.

'Get out.'

'Marissa I can't-.'

'Pull over.'

'I can't.' Ryan answered.

'Yes you can – now pull the car over.'

'No.' Ryan said blandly.

'Ryan.' Marissa started. 'My hormones are out of control right about now – I cannot be fucked to argue with you so pull over!'

'No!' Ryan was getting quite amused with Marissa's anger.

I should stay away but what can I do
I hear your name, and I'm aflame
Aflame with such a burning desire
That only your kiss can put out the fire

'Pull over – right fucking now Atwood.'

'Right – right I'm doing it.'

Ryan pulled over and swapped places with Marissa.

'Right so what street?' Marissa asked now driving.

'44th.' Ryan replied looking at the directions.

10 minutes later Ryan and Marissa arrived at a place that was not a house to see an architect – but it was a restraunt.

'Why are we at Kelsey's?' Marissa asked.

Kelsey's was a very, very expensive restraunt.

'Are we meeting Mr. Scott here?' She asked again.

'Uh no we're not – in fact we're not meeting Mr. Scott at all.' Ryan replied

'What did he cancel or something?'

'No – come on lets eat.' Ryan said pulling Marissa into the restraunt.

They ordered the food and Ryan decided to start the speech that he had been practising for weeks now.

'Riss – I love you and I know the past few months have been pretty intense – but they've been pretty awesome as well – cause New York was fucking brilliant – and finding out that you were pregnant was better – and witnessing Hailey throw Julie into a pool was hilarious – and I know that these past 3 and a half years have been good and bad – but now I think – I know that the parts in the jigsaw are finally coming together for us with – a baby and an apartment in Berkley and jobs for us.' Ryan paused, 'But now.' Ryan got down in one knee with a ring in a box – that he was holding in his hand

'Marissa cooper – will you marry me?'

You are the lover that I've waited for
The mate that fate had me created for
And every time your lips meet mine
Baby down and down I go, all around I go
In a spin, loving the spin I'm in
Under that old black magic called love