Arranged to My Best Friend

6.

I gasped in surprise.

I was not expecting that.

Georgie stared at me with a shocked yet excited smile. Michelle had a hand to her mouth. The only one who looked upset was Kyle, and I knew exactly why.

"Ryder..." I whispered. He winked at me and opened the box to showcase the beautiful ring we picked out. I smiled and answered, "Yes, I will."

He grinned and the women of the Dallas family awed. I heard clapping from behind and I glanced over my shoulder, laughing as the kitchen staff showered us with cheers.

Ryder went back to his full height and I stood to my feet, throwing my arms around his neck. He held me close and brushed his mouth against my ear.

"Surprise, baby."

I tugged slightly on his hair. "Yeah, considered me surprised."

"Congratulations!" Michelle broke us apart and hugged us both. She then pinned a curious stare on Ryder. "Why didn't you tell us you were together?"

"We wanted to keep it between ourselves-"

"But why keep it from us?"

Ryder chuckled. "I'm trying to tell you, Mom. We didn't really feel like anyone else had to know until it got serious. I'm sorry we didn't tell you, but I personally didn't want the press finding out and bombarding us."

"I still wish you would have told us," she chastised her son.

He squeezed her hand. "Trust me when I say this was the right approach. You know how crazy the cameras get."

To that statement, Michelle inclined her head in understanding. "I get what you're saying, hon. Even though I'm a little upset, I get it. Either way, I'm very happy for you guys!"

Ryder grinned and cocked his chin at Georgie. "What you think?"

She nudged her brother. "You know I've always wanted a sister."

We turned to Kyle who hasn't uttered a single word. He looked at Ryder with stern eyes and I could hear the water boiling in him. He was angry.

And to boast, Ryder did one thing.

He smirked.

~~~

We left shortly after dinner was over. Ryder blamed it on having to wake up early tomorrow, but I knew it was to avoid getting alone with his father. He wasn't taking the chance of getting yelled at, not that I blamed him. Kyle Dallas had high quality standards when it came to women- well, everything really. I didn't reach them. I was a girl with a dad that's living in his car and traveling the country. My mother had died. I worked at a little country restaurant. I wasn't born in their lifestyle.

"Why didn't you tell me you were planning on proposing tonight?" I asked the second we got in the car. "I would have been more prepared."

"Precisely why I did what I did." I raised an eyebrow. He started the engine and turned on the heat. "You wouldn't have needed to act surprised. You wouldn't have needed to worry about being overdramatic or not having enough emotion. It was perfect if I did it spontaneously," Ryder poked me on the nose. "And it turned out exactly the way I had hoped."

I nodded, understanding his strategy. "That smirk you sent your father was awesome!"

He laughed. "Oh, that was priceless!"

I kicked off my heels and allowed my feet to breathe. "You know you'll have to face the dreadful conversation to come."

"I know," he said. "I just rather deal with it without my mother or sister or you in the house. One, they can't know about this, and two, neither of you deserve to hear our spats."