As shocked as I was at my own decision to return my ring to Eric, I knew it was the right one. It also stunned Becca and Sasha when I returned to their apartment and told them what happened. Of course, they were supportive, and even Becca added that she was proud of me. She was proud that I did a selfless act so that Eric could now move on with his life, and I could move on with my own.

Now that I knew I wasn't going to be living with Eric anymore, that meant I had to start looking for a new place to live. I knew staying with Becca and Sasha was only temporary, and I did not intend to outstay my welcome.

I also knew that I had to break the news to my parents. I dreaded my dad's reaction most of all and figured I'd wait to tell them. At least until I contacted all the vendors to try to get some or all of the deposits refunded. Even though I knew the chances were slim, I had to at least try.

Sasha also thought it'd be a good idea to wait a little while before we started sending out letters to the guests that the wedding was canceled. She mainly suggested that because she was dreading the idea of stuffing more envelopes. I agreed with her and told her we could wait a week before we'd have to bite that bullet.

On Monday, while Adam was busy helping Peter with the preliminary designs for Dr. Nicholson's private school, I was busy getting the construction forms and permits together. Dr. Nicholson was hoping to break ground and complete the build before the start of the next fall semester. 

While working on the documents, I also managed to shoot a few emails back and forth with the florist and photographer, as well as squeeze in a moment to check out various apartment rental postings.

"What? No hello?" Ryan startled me as I was hyper-focused on sending a tour request for an apartment and didn't hear or see him approach my desk.

Plus, I didn't expect him to be back until later that afternoon. Per his email, I received that morning, he was delayed in leaving Connecticut.

I clapped my hand over my heart. "You scared me!" I turned to look up at him and saw that he had a swollen, black eye and a cut on his lower lip. I reactively gasped and moved my hand from my chest to cover my mouth. "What happened to you?"

Ryan touched his finger to his cut lip. "Oh, nothing. I tried breaking up a bar fight last night."

"Why would you do a stupid thing like that?"

"You weren't watching porn, were you?" There was the old Ryan I knew, changing the topic and making a highly inappropriate comment.

I looked at him unamused. "Do I look like the kind of girl who watches porn? Especially at work?"

I could see the pain it caused him as he smirked at me. "Where else would you have learned that crazy position we did in the cleaning supply closet not too long ago?"

If I was still as mad as I was last week, after what he did and what Adam had told me, I would have slapped him right on his bruised eye. But of course, I was raised better than that. I laced my fingers together and rested my arms on my desk. "Should you even be at work, looking like that? It doesn't look very professional."

"I wasn't planning on staying very long. I just stopped in to pick up some of the resumes to review for my new assistant." Ryan flashed me a stack of papers that he held in his hand. He cleared his throat, and I noticed him looking around with his one good eye to make sure no one was nearby or approaching. "Plus, I was wondering if maybe I could take you to lunch. I wanted to apologize for everything that I did to you and...you know... before I left."

"I can't."

"Oh? Adam's got you working on another project already? He mentioned to me how you helped get the private school project off the ground quickly." He sat on the edge of my desk, trying to appear casual.

"It's not that. I just have to --" I was cut off as my cellphone started ringing from inside my purse. I pulled the bag from my desk drawer and shuffled random items around to locate my phone. I pulled it out and saw it was a local number. "Hello?"

"Hello! May I speak with Ms. Victoria Ashcroft?" a light male voice on the other end asked.

"This is she."

"Hi, this is Mason Hilsden. You just sent me an inquiry about an apartment you may be interested in renting."

"Wow! Thank you for calling me so quickly."

While Mason continued to talk to me, I observed Ryan as he still sat at the edge of my desk, looking over some of the resumes. I then noticed the back of Ryan's hand holding the stack was scraped and bruised around his knuckles. Which made me wonder if his reason for his bruised face was really true.

I brought my attention back to Mason as he requested I stop by as soon as possible to see the apartment. Even though I planned to swing by the florist to get my deposit back during lunch, I assured him I'd be there soon.

I hung up and threw my phone back in my bag. I locked my computer and stood up, looking at Ryan, who was looking over at me quizzically. "I'm sorry I have to go. If you see Adam, will you please tell him I had to take an extended lunch today? Tell him I'll make it up by skipping my lunch tomorrow. Actually, don't worry about it, I'll just text him myself."

He stood up from my desk and tried to smile at my flip-flopping thoughts, but couldn't complete it without wincing in pain. "You don't have to do all that," he insisted. "How about I go with you? I'll tell Adam you and I are running out to check on one of the projects in the city."

I wasn't sure if I really wanted Ryan of all people to go with me. He didn't know I ended my relationship with Eric, and I wasn't sure I was ready to tell him. "I'm just running a few boring errands. You won't have fun tagging along."

"As long as I'm with you, I'm having fun."

I blushed even though I tried to stop it. Part of me was feeling torn on how to respond to a statement that I could tell was genuine. I didn't want him to have an effect on me anymore, and I didn't want him to know that I had forgiven him for what he did. Knowing he probably wouldn't give up easily, I caved, "Fine. But I'll warn you now, I'm taking the subway."

His nose wrinkled. "I insist you let me pay for a cab."

******

We pulled up to a modern-styled brick apartment building. It had nine floors, according to what I read on their website. It was located on the banks of the East River in Long Island City. I was instantly impressed with how beautiful the entrance was, with its grey stone steps, and steel and glass awning that extended out from the revolving door to the base of the stairs.

I could tell Ryan wanted to ask questions, but he stayed relatively quiet. We spun through the revolving door to the equally beautiful lobby that greeted us with the scent of cinnamon. Straight ahead of us was a counter area that looked like a front desk at a hotel. Behind it sat a very slender man, who appeared to be maybe ten years older than I was.

He stood up as we approached the smooth white counter. I figured it was Mason, as he looked like his picture from the web posting. Plus, it also said it on his name-tag that rested on the breast of his grey blazer jacket. Though he smiled at me, his smile quickly faded as he saw Ryan's bruised face.

"Mason? Hi, I'm Victoria Ashcroft." I extended my hand across the counter to shake his.

"Nice to meet you." His tone was slightly less enthusiastic as it had been during the phone conversation. "And who might you be?" He looked directly at Ryan with an expression of what I guessed was disgust.

"Ryan Herman," he greeted and shook Mason's hand too. "I'm sorry for my appearance. I don't usually look like this."

I hated to admit that even with his face beaten, he still knew how to present himself with charisma. Even Mason looked like he was swooning as Ryan gave him a broken smile during their handshake.

"I should hope not," Mason said with a light chuckle and finally released Ryan's hand from his. "Right, well, shall we?" He looked back at me and gestured for us to follow him.

Mason started by pointing out the plush seating area to the side of the lobby that looked like a living room from a high-end interior design catalog. It had a stone-slab, electric fireplace that was enclosed by glass that wrapped around to the other side where a long dining table and kitchenette were.

He led the way down a short hallway with multi-colored tiles strategically placed on the floor to make a beautiful pattern. We passed by the Fitness Studio, where he said they had yoga and other guided group classes. We stopped at the wall that had glass doors on either side.

Mason pointed to a plaque by the entrance that read Kids' Play Zone. "If you two plan on having children here, then you'll love this place during the freezing winters and blistering summers."

I instantly blushed at his suggestion. "Oh, no. We-"

"We're just friends!" Ryan said, cutting me off.

Mason cleared his throat, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. "I apologize. I assumed you two were a couple."

"It's okay," Ryan assured and leaned closer to Mason, and proceeded to say something to him in his ear. I glared at him thinking it was rude to be so secretive. Then Mason's expression softened to a smile, and he nodded in understanding.

"Right, well," Mason continued acting casual. "In this door here is the Resident's Lounge. Would you like to have a look around?"

Feeling slightly annoyed, I was losing interest in the whole tour. "Actually, I have another appointment after this, do you think we could just go see the apartment now?"

Mason looked almost offended that I was rushing him and glanced at Ryan as if he had a say in what was going to happen next. I saw him give Mason a slight nod, clearly encouraging him to listen to me. In which he responded by leading us back down the hall to the elevators. 

On the way up, Mason kept the discussion professional and told us that the 4th floor had an outdoor area that included barbecue grills, picnic areas, sun deck, and lounge seating. He added that the 6th floor had a heated pool and outdoor cinema that played family-friendly movies all summer long.

We got off the elevator on the 3rd floor. Mason unlocked the door to the apartment that was right across from the elevator. "This is one of our fully furnished one bedroom, one bath, standard apartments. As you can see, it already comes with a modern charcoal leather couch, and grey clothed armchair." He pointed to the furniture in the living room.

I walked through to the living room, passing the small kitchen along the way. Though the apartment was smaller than the one Eric and I had, it was surprisingly spacious. I looked out the window and could see the East River and the ferries and other boats sailing on it, while the cars on the bridge that laid above it crossed from one part of the city to the other. The view was stunning.

"Wow, I'm impressed it could fit a little walk-in closet in there and still have space for a good queen-sized bed and two end tables," Ryan stated, walking out from the bedroom.

I turned my back to the window to see him and Mason. "I'll take it."

Mason and Ryan looked at me, shocked. "But don't you want to see our other floor-plans? Or unfurnished apartments? We have one like this, but it's a corner apartment with a magnificent view of the river and the Empire State Building."

I loved the idea of being able to see that every day. I nodded. "If I can get it furnished, I'll take it."

"I'll make it happen." Mason smiled and extended his hand to shake mine again.