Chapter 6
Marissa ran to the pool house doors, dragging an out of breath Ryan with her.
"Come on Ryan!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming as fast as I can possibly move."
When they finally got to the doors, he exhaled and leaned over, holding on to his knees for support.
"God, you're slow." Marissa laughed and ruffled the back of his hair. He smiled and held her waist.
"I'm not slow. I'm just tired. It's been a long night."
"Maybe, then, I should go home. You could use the rest."
They both laughed, knowing that she wasn't going anywhere. Ryan pulled her in closer and brought her into a tight hug. He whispered into her ear.
"I guess-I'm not so tired after all."
"That's what I thought. Come on."
She walked into the pool house, and flicked on the light. Ryan stepped in after her, and took her hands in his. He pressed his lips onto hers, closing his eyes and letting the moment unravel slowly. Marissa linked her arms under his and held onto his back.
"I love you," she whispered into his lips.
"I love you too."
He led her over to his bed and paused before it, gently kissing her lips. They laughed and fell onto the bed together, holding each other the entire time. Marissa pressed her body up to Ryan's, pushing him onto his back. He kissed her passionately, one hand combing through her hair, the other resting on the side of her arm. He stroked her skin and moved his hand to the small of her back, kissing up and down her neck as she buried her lips in his untidy hair. He began to unlace the back of her dress, when her phone rang, vibrating from her purse on the night table.
Marissa withdrew her lips from his, and pulled up from him hesitantly. He tucked her hair behind her ears and let her go.
"Do you have to get it?"
"It'll just be a second."
"Okay."
Reluctantly, Marissa got off the bed and stood over her purse. She fumbled inside of it to find the ringing phone, distracted by the heat of being there with Ryan. Finally finding it, she flipped it open and put it up to her ear.
"Hello?"
"Hey kiddo."
"Daddy!"
Marissa flashed Ryan a wide smile. Even though he was upset that their moment had been interrupted, he was happy that Jimmy had called. He knew how much it meant to her that she heard from him.
"Sorry I haven't called in awhile sweetheart. I've just been, so busy. With the new job and-"
"Daddy, don't worry about it. I'm just happy to hear from you."
"Well, I want to make it up to. What do you say- you and Summer come out here to visit me, huh? How does that sound?"
"That sounds great, except-"
"Except what?"
"I just, don't want to leave Ryan. That's all."
Ryan eyed her worriedly. Was Jimmy calling to have her move in with him? He knew how much Marissa hated living with Julie and Caleb, but he had never really considered the prospect that she might actually leave him.
"You and Ryan are back together?"
"Yeah, we are." She smiled at him sincerely and adoringly.
"Well then, bring him too. And bring Seth. The four of you can use a vacation from that place."
"Tell me about it. You have no idea how much this means to me."
"Marissa, you have no idea what this means to me. It's been long enough since I've seen my little girl."
"I love you Dad."
"I love you too Kiddo."
Marissa hung up the phone and looked at Ryan, seeing the trepidation in his face. She smiled brightly at him.
"What-what was that about?"
Trying to postpone the surprise for as long as possible, she set the phone down on the night table and sat down on the side of Ryan's bed.
"We're going to Hawaii."
