Chapter 63

• I first met Ryan during our junior year of college. We had been introduced by mutual friends. Ryan was a nice-looking guy and very well-mannered. I could tell right off that he had been raised with some class. Most of the guys I had dated up until then were immature; of course, they were interested in just one thing. Ryan was different; he was driven, and he had goals. He was a business major who was really into making good grades and developing the right connections.
• My name is Brooke. I was a fashion design student. From early on, I’ve always loved clothing and have been fascinated by the many different styles. Someday, I planned to run my own couture firm. I am tall, five-ten, and wear my auburn hair long; I think it looks more professional that way. My friends think I should be a model, but that would be a short-lived career. Building my own company, influencing the styles, and producing them are where the long-term successes are at.
• Ryan and I hit it off right from the start. He was the perfect gentleman, and we dated regularly. Shortly after we met, we became intimate and started seeing each other almost every day. I loved to just sit and talk. We would share our daily struggles and our future dreams. Ryan seldom offered much information about his childhood or upbringing. I was originally from the Midwest. His East Coast style and culture were exactly why I had come to this area. I did find out that his parents were only a couple of hours’ drive away. Mine were still back in my home state, where they would always stay.