I'd been catching up with Bobby, Lester, my Uncle Joe, and his wife Jill for a good ten minutes when Lester's expression turned somber. "Listen, Beautiful. You should know that Ranger is coming tonight."

"He better be," Uncle Joe said. "Since I invited him."

"You did what?" I turned my full attention to my uncle. "Why? Knowing how I feel, why would you invite him here?"

He reached out to place a hand over mine. "Sweetie, it's because of how you feel that I invited him here."

Before I could reply, that oh-so-familiar tingle began at the back of my neck. Oh God, he was here already, and I haven't had any time to prepare. Was I ready to face him? Could I do it without getting emotional and crying? He didn't deserve my tears, but that didn't mean I wouldn't break down at the mere sight of him.

I shifted my gaze to the sea of people and began scanning. It only took a moment for me to locate him. Almost immediately, I noted the multi-colored butterfly jacket, causing shock to ricochet through me. Why was he dressed like that and not in his standard Rangeman black? My mind churned through the information and quickly concluded that my uncle was up to no good. My attention slid to his face and even behind the black and gold mask, I could tell he was nervous. Dare I say maybe even worried?

Despite his somber expression, he still looked as handsome as I remembered. I had to suck in an audible breath as I fought against the myriad of emotions that came flooding back at the sight of him. Within seconds, those feelings were swamping me and threatening to pull me under. The stab of pain that followed had me pressing a hand to my stomach. I don't think I'd ever understand how emotions could conjure such physical pain.

"What in the hell is he wearing?" Bobby asked, pulling Lester's attention to Ranger.

"That looks like a butterfly jacket," Lester said as he glanced between us. "How in the hell could Ranger have known what Stephanie would be wearing?"

"Right?" Bobby agreed. "He matches her perfectly. How is that possible?"

I knew how. Somehow, I managed to pull my focus off him and turned my watery gaze back to face my Uncle Joe. "Yes, how did Ranger know what I'd be wearing?"

Uncle Joe appeared just a bit sheepish as he glanced at his wife. "I might have asked Jill to hand-pick your costumes."

"You did what?" I could feel my heart rate increasing as the panic began to build. "Why?"

He leveled a look at me that made me want to squirm. "You know why, Stephanie."

I shook my head and took a step back. Honestly, I thought I'd been prepared for the possibility of Ranger making an appearance. I couldn't have been more wrong. Knowing my uncle orchestrated this encounter only made it worse. "I can't," I finally managed to squeak past the lump in my throat.

"If you don't, you're going to regret it for the rest of your life," he said, then reached behind him to grab the microphone. "I just want you happy, sweetie, and let's face it. The only time I've ever seen you happy was when you were with him."

He switched on the microphone and began to speak. "Everyone. Everyone. Can I have your attention? Welcome to my birthday celebration. With any luck, this is going to be a long night of good food, good friends, and lots of fun. Now, to get this evening started we're going to play a little game. Several of you were provided with costumes for tonight by me and my wonderful wife Jill." He motioned to where Jill stood next to him.

"For the first dance of the night, we'd like for each of you to find the person who is wearing a costume that matches or compliments your own. Once our single guests have paired up with their counterparts, I would like to invite the couples and anyone else to join in."

Fear shot through me at his statement. That would mean I'd have to not only touch Carlos but also talk to him. I shook my head. "No. No. No. I can't."

"You can," Uncle Joe said as he switched off the microphone. "The fact that you're so afraid to, is exactly why you should."

My neck tingle grew stronger, as did my anxiety with the knowledge that Ranger was moving closer.

The moment Lester straightened I knew Ranger was behind me. "Boss."

"Santos, Brown."

"Good to see you in person," Bobby replied.

"You too," he said. "Babe." The sound of the endearment he used for me pierced me like an arrow and had me fighting back a fresh shot of tears. God, how I missed the sound of his voice. "I believe we're supposed to have this dance."

Knowing there wasn't any way out of this situation that wouldn't result in disappointing my uncle, I took a deep, fortifying breath and let it out, then turned to face Ranger. I opened my mouth to speak but instead sucked in an audible breath at the sight before me. Up close, I could easily catalog every detail. He was still just as built. His hair was just as long and his face, at least the part not blocked by his mask, was just as handsome. What struck me was the look in his eyes. Even with the mask in the way, I could see the same fear and grief I felt looking back at me.

Ranger afraid? What could he possibly have to fear in this encounter? After all, he was the one who abandoned our potential relationship. "I guess so," I managed to finally say as the band began to play. Knowing Lester and Bobby would keep an eye on it, I set my bag on the nearest table before turning back to face Ranger.

Even through the multiple layers of fabric, I could feel the heat of Ranger's touch on my back and arm as he guided us to the dance floor. In my peripheral vision, I could see the other guest whispering to each other, then caught the scowls of both my mother and Dickie as they stood together off to the side and watched.

I'm sure before the night was over my mother would be her typical hypocritical self and rip into Uncle Joe about interfering in my love life. Not that she hadn't tried to do the same thing with Dickie.

I'd just started to worry that we were the only couple he'd played matchmaker for when several other couples began to join us. At least everyone's focus wouldn't be completely on us.

Maybe it's intuition
But some things you just don't question

It only took a moment for the song the band was playing to register in my brain. I knew I loved you by Savage Garden. Damn it. My aunt and uncle had considered every detail in their bid to play matchmaker.

Like in your eyes, I see my future in an instant
And there it goes

"You are gorgeous," Ranger said as I stepped into his embrace.

"Thank you," I murmured in response. "You're looking very handsome yourself."

Several silent and awkward seconds passed as the band continued to play.

I think I found my best friend
I know that it might sound

More than a little crazy but I believe

"So, how have you been?" he asked.

Instinct and anger had me wanting to ask why he cared, but I knew that wasn't a fair question. After all, ultimately, I'd been the one to ask for no contact.

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life

I'd expected him to ignore my request and show up on my doorstep. When he didn't, it only cause my pain to deepen at the realization that he wasn't going to fight for us. In truth, I'd had no right to those feelings then and I had no right to them now. "Good," I squeaked out a reply. "And you?"

"Miserable," he said after several silent seconds.

His admission caused a fresh wave of shock to ripple through me. Since when did Ranger admit to having feelings?

I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

Unable to formulate a proper reply to his confession, I remained silent.

"I can't properly express how much I've missed you, Stephanie."

In an instant, the tears were back and fighting for a way out. I shook my head. He didn't get to say those kinds of things when all I'd heard in the last twenty-four months was radio silence. "You're the one who ran away," I finally said.

"I know and it didn't take me long to realize how big of a mistake that was."

The last thing I expected to hear was an admission of wrongdoing from him. "You hurt me, Carlos."

"I'm so sorry, babe. I wish I could take it all back."

"Why now?" I asked.

Even behind the mask, I could tell he was confused by my question. "What?"

I stopped dancing and pulled out of his grasp as anger began to build in earnest, outweighing the sadness. "Why now? You've had two years to apologize, Ranger. Why do it now?"

Even though I was drawing attention to us, his focus never wavered off me. "You made it clear in your letter that you wanted me to stay away from your new home and job. After what I put you through, I figured the least I could do was honor your wishes. It damn near killed me to do it, but I wanted you to be happy again. So, I did as you asked."

"Never before have you listened to my wishes. Why then?"

When he started to speak, I held up a hand to stop him. "Forget it," I said then shook my head as the tears finally won the battle. I took a step back. "I can't do this. Not here. Not now. I'm sorry."

Not waiting for him to reply, I turned and ran from the dance floor. Sobs tore from me as I weaved my way through the crowd. I couldn't seem to draw in a breath without a fresh shot of pain accompanying it. What I needed was to put some distance between us and get some fresh air.

"Steph." I could hear Lester call after me, but I didn't want to stop. If I did it was entirely possible, I might pass out. Despite not knowing where I was going, I managed to stumble my way out to the patio. While I was now outside, I still didn't feel as if I could breathe. I raced down the patio steps and into the darkness of the golf course in the distance. My heels sank into the grass, making it harder for me to run and a fresh shot of fear raced through me at the thought of Ranger catching me.

A few seconds later, my feet landed on a concrete path, giving me the footing I needed to properly run in my heels. With my hands holding the front of my dress, I raced up the path as fast as my feet would take me. By the time I stopped, my lungs burned from use and my legs felt like jelly. I reached a small bridge over a stream and pulled up as I sucked in deep pain-filled breaths. The sobs came in earnest now, mixing with my gasping breaths and causing me to cough and choke.

Why did my uncle think this was a good idea? Why now, after all this time, did he have to dredge up the past?

The sound of footsteps slapping against the concrete path had my fight-or-flight instincts on alert. I couldn't outrun Ranger, but I was far from ready to see him again.

A moment later, Lester appeared like an apparition in the dark. The concern on his face kept me rooted in place. "Beautiful? Are you okay?"

I shook my head as I turned to look over the small stream. Not that I could see it in the dark, but I couldn't bring myself to meet Lester's gaze.

"I know it was a shock seeing Ranger," he said as he slowly closed the distance between us. "But I also know how much he regrets what happened between you two." He stood next to me now and began to rub a hand up and down my arm.

"If he regretted it so much, then why didn't he reach out before now? Why did it take my uncle Joe to get involved?"

"I know for a fact that he wanted to, but every time he'd work up the nerve to make a move, he'd remember your letter and change his mind." He reached out and curled a knuckle under my chin, then guided my head until I was looking at him. "If I know my cousin the way I think I do, this is the last time, Steph."

"Last time for what?"

"For anything. For everything. Even if you two aren't meant to ever be a couple again, you need to talk to him. Get the answers to all the questions you've been living with. Let him explain why he did what he did. Maybe you'll find enough common ground to at least revive a friendship."

Before I could reply, the echo of footsteps walking up the cart path had us both looking in the direction of the sound. Just like Lester, Ranger appeared like a ghost in the night. His mask was gone, as was his jacket. The light of the full moon illuminated him, making it easy to see the abject grief on his face. My heart clenched at the sight of him, and I had to fight the sudden need to wrap him in a hug.

"Babe," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Can we please talk?"