Unpredictable

Ryan did accept Sandy's advice.He was right.He still needed to help people trought their issues.That was Ryan.He couldn't stop that.So after helping Taylor getting rid of her french husband, he wanted to do something else to help people out.

So he tought about spending more time at the Cooper's, to help Julie with the gardening, the plumbing, basically everything she needed.It wasn't just about helping her with the house really. It was so Julie would have had someone else around the house, a positive presence. Someone to help her getting back her life and fighting the grieve.It was really a nice gesture from Ryan.
But Julie seemed to have already gotten his life back, since she was barely at home.Everytime Ryan went to the house, Julie was going out,and Kaitlin was never at home too. So Ryan was left alone in the house, doing his works.

Well, he was not completely alone,since Taylor was often home.At first Ryan was a little scared about it,cause knowing Taylor, he was afraid she would have always been there annoying him about anything. Especially after they got closer in the "french husband" story, Ryan was a little concerned about the situation. Of course he did feel good about it, and he even liked Taylor on that occasion. But he surely didn't mean to start a close friendship with a girl like Taylor, or anything else for that matter. So he felt awkward the first time he went to Julie's and had to spend most day there with Taylor.

But surprisingly Taylor wasn't annoying at all.She totally left Ryan alone. She was nice and kind with him, she offered him refreshments during his breaks, and shared few polite words with him, but that was it. Ryan at first was surprised and relieved, but after few days like that he felt disappointed.And as a consequence of his disappointment, he felt weird.

Taylor was always reading,or working out in the house gym, or learning some foreign language which Ryan didn't even know about. Ryan couldn't know how much she was refraining herself around him. She wished she could have spend every second of the day with him,talking to him,touching him,making him laugh. But she understood how Ryan was,and she didn't want to scare him away. She was trying her best to act the right way to please him.

That wasn't the way to please him, but on some level it helped her to get him close to her.Because soon Ryan started to miss the "annoying" Taylor,and so he took some action. After a week of Taylor almost ingnoring Ryan, he started to bring breakfast and asked her to share it with him. She agreed and showed to be pleased by that, with her smiles and her shiny eyes.Ryan smiled a lot too during that breakfast, and from that day on they had breakfast together every day.One day he asked her if she could bake that amazing peaches torte for him again.Inside of him he tought it was a kinda lame thing to ask, but he really liked the torte, and most of all he felt in the mood of doing lame things and saying lame things around Taylor.Of course normal people wouldn't call those things "lame", just sweet.But we know how Ryan is....
Taylor was flattered by the request,and actually it was the moment where they broke the ice again. Since then they shared a lot of moments together during the day.Taylor stopped ignoring Ryan and was around him a lot, not in the over-annoying way she was before...or maybe in the same way, but Ryan didn't notice if that was annoying anymore.He tought it was just nice. So they found a new friendship. Actually Taylor felt something more towards Ryan, but she came to the conclusion that he wouldn't have loved anyone like he loved Marissa,especially a girl like Taylor.So she dealt with it,and tought that at least she could find comfort in their friendship,and she was ok with that.

Ryan wasn't analizing their friendship at all. However, Sandy and Kristen did. They were happy to see Ryan involved in such things as helping Julie and Kaitlin. But they were also surprised to see Ryan coming home every day in a happy mood, he was smiling a lot, and few times Kristen could have sworn that she heard Ryan singing by himself.....tough Ryan never confirmed of course.

When Kirsten was talking to Julie, she dropped in the topic of Ryan and the time he was spending at her place.But from Julie's answers,Kirsten understood that Julie and Kaitlin weren't around that much. So she and Sandy started to investigate in their discret way, throwing casual questions at Ryan about his works at Julie's. When answering,Ryan talked a lot about Taylor,about the funny things she did or said during the day.And even when they were talking about general topics at dinner,Ryan often came out with some comment like "Taylor told me that in that country people are getting paid if they limit the children in the family to 2 maximum.Crazy uh?".In those occasions the Cohen's would stare at Ryan, Seth with a confused look, Sandy and Kristen with smiles and looks towards each other.

Once Sandy and Ryan were hanging out at the beach (Sandy was about to surf while Ryan was about to going for a run) Sandy told Ryan how proud he was of him, of his strenght and of his unselfishness,about how he was able to get over the grief ,putting his energies into helping others.Sandy also pointed out how that turned out to be a good thing especially for Ryan,since he was so less broody and so more smiley lately.Sandy could tell Ryan found his peace of mind.Ryan agreed on everything,and that was really unusual for him.Sandy asked Ryan if that change had something to do with Taylor.Ryan was surprised by the question, because he actually never tought about it before. In that very moment Ryan realized that he had been able to build an healty friendship with a girl.He admitted to Sandy that probably Taylor's friendship was part of his change, and admitted that until then he never realized how close they have become.Ryan was surprised by himself,but he was also ok with the "new discovery".He and Taylor were FRIENDS.Life can really be unpredictable.Of course Sandy suspected there was more about it, but he did leave it alone.He tought Ryan should have find that out by himself,like he did this time.One step at a time.

The day after,Ryan went to Julie's for his usual breakfast with Taylor before to go to work at the mexican place. While they were enjoying each other company, the phone rang.He was a guy looking for Kaitlin.Taylor said she wasn't home,and promise to leave a note for her.
"Yes,I'll say to her that you'd like to go with her to the Newport dance.What's your name again? Ok,Peter.Bye".
Then she took a notebook with a page full of names,and added Peter's name.On the top of the page there was this writing : Dudes who called for the Newport Dance.
"Kaitlin will surely love this dance", commented Taylor,closing the notebook.
Ryan smiled. "I tought you loved this events too", he added.
Taylor looked hurt.She told Ryan she used to,and she probably would still love the Newport event, but this time she was really alone.The guy who usually took her to the dances had to come back to his country for a while.So she had noone else to ask,or to be asked by.She looked kind of sad while she was telling this to Ryan.And he couldn't stand seeing her sad.
"Well....we could....we could go together,if you're ok with that." It wasn't easy for him to tell these words,and he hesitated a while,but then he awkwardly said that.
Taylor had a hopeful look on her face "Really? Are you serious?...I mean,yes.Yes,I'm totally ok with that". And she smiled broadly.
They stared at each other for some seconds then.Taylor was still smiling,and so was Ryan.They were leaning on the counter in the kitchen and they were kinda close to each other.After few seconds they felt the tension and started to feel awkward,so Taylor broke the silence, and said with an energetic tone "Ok then,gotta run to work out hard in the gym now.I have to be ready."And started to leave the room.
"Ready for what?" asked Ryan.
"I want guys at the dance to stare at my ass!" she replied,trying to be serious,but failing at it.Then she left.
Ryan burst out in a laughter.If there was a thing she never failed at,it was to make Ryan smile.

When Ryan got home,Seth rushed into the poolhouse.
"Man,I had this genius idea.I can't stand being apart from Summer.And during the Newport dance I'll feel really bad,as she won't be there with me.So.....guess what I came up with? You and me are going together.Not in a gay way or anything.But we'll have a buddy date.So you won't be at home alone brooding and I won't be at the dance alone moaning about Summer.What do you say?" Seth was really proud of his idea.
Ryan told him he already had a "buddy date" planned.With Taylor.
Seth looked disappointed for himself,but not like he didn't see that coming."A buddy date, uh?"
"Of course.She is my friend and she really is into this dance event stuff,and she... and she has noone else to go with.So,that's what friends are for,right?" Ryan replied,like he was trying to convince himself,more than Seth.
"Right.That's right, man." said Seth. "If that's your story..." he added under his breath,smiling by himself as Ryan wasn't paying attention to him.

When Ryan arrived at Julie's he wasn't nervous or anything.After all,he was just going to a dance to help his friend.Why should he felt nervous about it? But when Taylor opened the door a quick shiver ran trought Ryan's spine.Taylor was dressed in red and she looked stunning and hot.Ryan felt the urge to swallow,and couldn't take his eyes off her.When he realized he was probably showing her what he was thinking,he tried to cool down. "Woha Taylor,you look....."
"Don't.Don't say anything Ryan,I know you're not the type of guy who make compliments and stuff like that.That's fine.You don't HAVE TO say anything." Taylor interrupted him.
Ryan didn't say a word,but he handed her the flowers he had in his hands.They were peaches flowers,and so they both burst out laughing.

They spent a pretty pleasant night.They were always smiling and they danced a lot, which was weird for Ryan,but he didn't complain once.To an outside viewer they would have looked like a couple head over heels in love. Of course Ryan didn't think so.He felt totally comfortable with Taylor, but he "blamed it" to the fact that he was for the first time experiencing a friendship with a girl.When they slow danced to Van Morrison's "Someone like you" Taylor leaned her head on Ryan's shoulder, and held him a little tighter.Ryan instinctively became stiff a little at first, but then he relaxed and raised one of his hands to reach her hair.While they continue to slow dance, he proceeded to caress her hair with his hand, while with the other he held her tight to him.Taylor felt safe in Ryan's arms,and he felt just good holding her.When the song ended they held their positions for a little longer,then they realized there was no music anymore,and felt slightly awkward.So Taylor raised her head and trying to act cool asked Ryan to look if the guys around them were checking her ass.She said that to ease the tension,bringing some comic relief,and she succedeed in that,as Ryan laugh again sweetly.She laughed too.
"I'm going to the ladies now,please count how many of them are following me with their looks",she said just for fun.
"sure I will" said Ryan ironically,then smiled again.
Taylor headed out in that gorgeous red dress, which was quite low-backed,and it actually draw attention on her bottom.
Ryan couldn't help but stare at it,at her.His eyes followed her until she exited the room,and he felt hot.
When he realized what was happening he put his hand on his eyes as to try not to watch.And he started to worry about his feelings for Taylor.

After the lovely night Ryan brought her home and on the door they were trying to saying goodnight in the less awkward way.They kept thanking each other for the nice night and for the laughters and everything, but they couldn't leave for some reason.
An heavy silence fell on them, they were so close, Ryan wanted to kiss her so bad, but something in his mind was still keeping him from doing it.Ryan was so close to her,lost in her eyes, and he could feel her breathing.That was a sign that she was kinda excited too, but still he couldn't make it.Once again Taylor was the one to break the awkwardness.She placed a kiss on Ryan's cheek and said goodnight,then opened the door.He was on the stairs on his way to the car and she was still on the door.Ryan turned back and called her.
"Taylor."
"Yes?"
"Don't worry about your ass.It's totally fine." then laugh at himself for what he said.
Taylor smiled and closed the door.She stayed a while leaning on the door,smiling but with teary eyes at the same time.She realized she couldn't keep hiding her feelings much longer.

The next day Ryan wasn't sure about going to have breakfast at Julie's, cause he was afraid of not being able to act normal in front of Taylor now.But he went anyway,and it went better than he tought.They both acted friendly as usual,so that Ryan was relieved,and he even agreed when she proposed to teach him how to make the peach torte. Just agreeing was weird enough, nobody would have believed that Ryan was going to learn to cook for any reason.But he did.
He went there that same afternoon and Taylor had everything prepared. The ingredients were there on the table,and she wore an apron.Ryan couldn't help but smiling when he saw her.She was so cute.
She started to explain the whole process very carefully and in a very professional way,as she was thinking that Ryan really cared about baking a torte.Ryan followed all the instruction she gave him,but wasn't really paying attention at the process.So he soon started to play jokes on her,like tapping on her nose just to left it all white with flour.Of course she pretended to get mad at it and started to complain.Then Ryan started tickling her and Taylor tried to make him stop,trying to take his hands off her waist,while he was tickling her on her stomach.They were laughing and they were all covered in white because of the flour that was on their hands. That was when Mrs Townsed entered in the kitchen.She looked at the scene of Ryan and Taylor playing and she looked upset.When Taylor saw his mother she stop laughin and she looked scared.Ryan stopped too and felt bad because he couldn't understand why Taylor had that suffering look now.He didn't like to see her like that.
"Mum,hi.What are you doing here? I mean...I'm happy to see you of course,I just wasn't expecting you." mumbled Taylor.
"I came to check on you,to see how are you doing,but I'm disappointing in seeing that a leopard doesn't change its spot" said Mrs Townsend in an harsh way.
"What do you mean mum? What am I doing now?" asked Taylor, terrified by her mother.
Mrs Townsend started her lecture on how Taylor is usueless,and how her only purpose in life is to have some random guy after her, always the most unlikely guys,like a teacher,a Chinese guy or a French one.Always guys with whom she can't even have an important relationship. Guys who are too old, too weird,too far away,or who just don't give a damn about her,like this one.And she was pointing to Ryan. Taylor was on the verge of tears, but she didn't cry.She was really hurt by his mother's words.
"Ryan is my friend." Taylor said with a trembling voice,and she headed out of the room, or she would have started to cry out loud.
Ryan followed her with the eyes while she went out of the room and he felt hurt for her.He looked at Mrs Townsend then,and tried to be calm,and not to speak with anger,tough it was difficult.

Then he started to talk."You should be proud of your daughter Mrs Townsend.You shouldn't treat her this way.She is a strong young woman.She received nothing from you other than critics and harsh comments, while she should feel loved by you.You talk about her when you don't even actually know her.Because if you do, you'd know that she is not useless.You would know that she is always trying to make people feel good.And that she is actually good at it.She had not many friends, but once she found some,she gave them all the love she could.Yes she made some mistakes in her life.Didn't you make mistakes at her age? If you knew her,you would know that her French husband fell in love with her because she is an amazing girl.And he didn't want her to leave.He made everything to have her back.Because he recognized how precious she is.But she is such a great woman that she rather be alone than with someone that she feels is not her true love.She is willing to wait for her true love to come along.Isn't she amazing? And it's not that I don't give a damn about her,cause I do.I'm just afraid I'm not good eough for her.Cause she deserves the best.You should feel lucky to have a daughter like her.You should thank God every day for having a daughter who turned out so good,despite her mother." He then walked away,leaving a speechless Mrs Townsend.

Taylor was sitting on the stairs in the other room,but she did hear everything.She was sitting there crying.She was trying not to,but the tears were running on her cheeks anyway.
When Ryan came out of the kitchen,he saw Taylor on the top of the stairs and went towards her.He sitted next to her,looked into her eyes,and dried her tears with the back of his hand.
Taylor tried to smile but she was still more on the verge of crying than anything else.
"Thank you Ryan.You've been so sweet standing up for me in front of my mum.Thank you.You didn't need to say all those nice things anyway....."
She couldn't finish the sentence,'cause Ryan held her head with his hands and pushed her toward him.Their lips met in such a passionate and at the same time sweet kiss.Taylor reaction at first was like the first time he kissed her at the Yacht Club.She was so surprised and didn't see that coming.But after a second she joined the passion and the sweetness.After few intense seconds they split up the kiss.They looked into each others eyes,both smiling,and start kissing again.They were both so happy that they were smiling even during the kiss.Ryan slightly bited her lower lip in a joking way,while he was caressing her hair with one hand,Taylor laughed and they proceeded their sweet makeout session for quite a long time.
They finally did realized they fit together.
I guess it's true what they say: life is definetely unpredictable,and that's a good thing.