Can't Help Falling in Love {Ryan Blaney}✔️

| twenty-nine |

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"What?" Lara whispered, her pulse racing. She knew how she felt about Ryan but hearing him say that? Hearing him say that he was in love with her? She almost couldn't comprehend it.

    Ryan sighed, shaking his head. "I couldn't help falling in love with you, it just happened. And I should've told you sooner, I should've told you when I realized that I had fallen in love with you. But I'm telling you now." Ryan shifted nervously before continuing, "I have no idea if you feel anything for me -- it's okay if you don't. But I needed you to know." He shoved his hands in his pockets, turning slowly towards the door.

    "Wait," Lara stopped him with her voice.  He turned to her, his aquamarine eyes hopeful. "Everything with Chase, that doesn't change anything for you? Even if I was pregnant?"

    Ryan shrugged, "Lara, I've felt this way for a long time. What happened with you and Chase is between you and him. It has nothing to do with me. As selfish as it is, I'm glad you guys broke up because now I have a chance. It killed me to have to wonder what would have or could have been between us."

Lara felt a smile spread across her face. "Wow, I uh... wow." Lara giggled, the schoolgirl crush that she had always nursed for Ryan had bubbled back up to the surface, making her forget how to act for a moment. "I never expected to hear you say anything like that."

    "I can't tell if that's a good thing or not," An amused look danced in Ryan's eyes.

Lara didn't say anything, standing up, sidestepping the desk towards Ryan. She closed the distance between them, her lips finding his. She knew she caught Ryan by surprise but he quickly got over it, his hands finding her hips, tugging her closer to him.

Butterflies thrashed around her stomach, her veins electrified at the soft kiss. She wanted to deepen the kiss, wanted more but she followed his lead, she wanted everything with Ryan. After a moment, he pulled away slowly, resting his forehead on hers.

"Is that a good enough answer?" Lara murmured, lifting her eyes to meet his.

His aquamarine eyes sparkled as he nodded, a smirk playing on his lips. "I think so." Ryan pulled away, his smirk pulling into a full grin. "You don't know how long I've wanted that."

"Really?" Lara was unconvinced. "How long?"

Ryan shoved his hands in his pockets, "I don't know, at least a year."

Lara nodded, "I wish I would've known that. I practically had hearts floating around my head last season, even Chase knew."

Ryan widened his eyes, "You did?"

Lara laughed, "I did. I told myself it was because you were the only person that bothered to talk to me and that you were too perfect to ever bother with me so I--."

"Too perfect? What are you talking about?" Ryan's eyes studied her.

Lara shrugged, all of her insecurities flooding, "I'm impulsive to the point of reckless, I don't listen, I'm arrogant..." Her voice trailed off.

Ryan shook his head, "You're ambitious, you don't let up until you get what you want, you are so sure of yourself. I wish I was more like you." Ryan gave Lara a soft smile.

They both fell into a silence, trying to digest what had just happened.

Lara almost had to pinch herself, it felt surreal. He was in love with her. And he didn't care what had happened between her and Chase.

Lara rocked back and forth on her heels, "So what now?"

Ryan shrugged, "I could kick your ass in mini golf?"
Lara couldn't help but grin, "You're on."

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"Can Blaney sink this putt and win this?" Lara spoke into the end of her putter in a terrible fake British accent. "Or will he buckle under the pressure?" Lara watched as Ryan furrowed his brow in concentration. He slowly pulled his putter back, tapping on the ball, sending it towards the hole.

Lara held her breath as she watched the ball spin around the hole and spit itself out, rolling away from the hole. She pumped her fist, she had won. Lara smiled triumphantly. "I am still the reigning champion."

Ryan shook his head, "I hope you know we'll be rematching." He stepped closer to her, dipping down and brushing his lips against hers.

"We'll see," Lara laughed as she slipped her hand into his as they walked back into the clubhouse. Lara couldn't help but marvel at how easy things were between her and Ryan now that their feelings were out in the open, things were effortless between them. It almost felt like they had been together for forever. Maybe this was a sign that they were meant to be, meant to last.

"I had a lot of fun," Ryan told her as they put away their putters. "Even if you beat me."

"I can't let you win at everything," Lara joked, earning a faux glare from Ryan. She shrugged nonchalantly before wincing in pain, bending over, her body reminding her that she had just had surgery -- a small surgery but a surgery nonetheless.

"Hey," Ryan placed his hand on the small of her back. "Are you okay?"

Lara nodded, waiting for the pain to subside. She stood up, flashing a smile at Ryan. "I must've overexerted myself kicking your ass."

Ryan laughed, shaking his head, "You are something else, Lara."

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