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Realizing how far his mind spun, he reeled it back in. Maggie didn’t drive, so good luck getting her in that minivan. And they shared two kisses, one she vomited directly after, and the other because she lost a bet. Yeah, he was dreaming.
But he couldn’t stop the fantasies from coming, so when he fell asleep, they shifted into dreams full of color and emotion, children with laughter so real he could hear it. When he woke up the following morning, she was his first thought.
“This is bad,” he mumbled, stuffing his pillow over his head and trying to steal a few more minutes of sleep. It was no use.
He grabbed a shower, then waited as the coffee pot slowly percolated. Something outside caught his attention and he looked out the window. Maggie climbed on her bike and turned to ride out of the driveway.
He cursed, not wanting to miss her, but by the time he got out the door she was already down the street. Where was she going? She didn’t work on Saturdays. He really hoped to spend the day with her.
He went back inside and had his coffee, anticipating her return. While he waited, he ran a load of laundry and started peeling the wallpaper in the dining room. The moment he saw her shadow pass the window, he raced out the back door.
“Morning, neighbor.”
She jumped, startled by his overzealous greeting as she parked her bike against the shed. “Hey.”
He walked to the fence that separated their yards. “You’re out early.”
Her gaze dropped as she lifted an old thermos from her bike basket. “Yeah.”
She wasn’t looking at him. “Do you want to do something today? I don’t have to work at the bar.”
She hesitated, one hand on the fence gate. “O—okay.”
“Maybe we can—” His phone rang and his words cut off. It was his dad, probably just calling to wish him a happy birthday. “Hang on.” He turned and answered the call. “Hey Dad.”
“Happy birthday, Ry.”
“Thanks.” He held up a finger telling Maggie he’d only be a minute. “What’s up?”
“Just calling to wish you a happy-happy and all that noise. Any plans today?”
“No, just hanging out with a friend.”
“Do you plan to stop by?”
His mother had a strange way of making his and Patrick’s birthdays her accomplishment, which it was, but sometimes the expectation that they all be together on that day got tedious. “I wasn’t planning on it.”
“Oh.” He sounded disappointed. “I was hoping you could give me a hand with something.”
“What do you need?”
“Your mother wants the curio cabinet in the dining room moved to the hall. I’d do it myself, but my back’s been acting up.”
“You need to do that today?” He glanced back to Maggie and mouthed sorry.
“Well, your mother’s been riding me to move it for a few weeks. But Pat’s been away, and you’ve been working so much, I haven’t found an opening to get a hand.”
His dad was always there whenever Ryan needed anything and he hated not to do the same. But it was his birthday, and he really just wanted a day to himself with Maggie. “Did you ask Tristan?”
“He and Luke went to Kelly’s art show this weekend.”
“Oh. Well, I guess I can take a ride over in a little bit. But can you make sure Mum has it cleaned out before I get there?”
“Will do. Thanks. I’ll see you in an hour.”
His father hung up before saying goodbye. Ryan pocketed his phone and faced Maggie. “I have to run to my parents’ house in a little bit to help my dad move some furniture, but I shouldn’t be long.”
“Oh.” Was that disappointment in her voice?
He wanted to hop the fence and kiss her, but sensed it was too soon. “How do you feel about ribs?”
“Ribs?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I make good barbeque ribs, and there’s this little charcoal grill I’ve been eyeing up at the hardware store in town. I could swing by and grab it after my parents’, and we could have ourselves my first backyard barbeque. What do you say?”
She bit her lip. “You don’t have any other plans today?”
“Free as a bird.” He smiled. “Come on. Have a cookout with me. We’ll rent a movie and pig out on ribs and beer in my living room.”
“Just us?”
“Just us,” he confirmed, wanting her all to himself.
She grinned and nodded. “I’d love to.”
“Great.” This was going to be the perfect birthday. “I’ll head to the grocery store and then my parents’. I shouldn’t be more than an hour—two at the most.”
“Okay. I’ll wait here.”
He wanted to go and rush back as soon as possible, but he hesitated. “One more thing.” He hopped the fence and crossed her driveway in three long strides, not stopping until he caught her face in his hands.
“Good morning,” he whispered, tipping her face up and brushing a kiss across her lips—quick enough to catch her off guard and simple enough that she shouldn’t object.
