“I’ve had it a while.”She changed the subject quickly.“How’s Vivian?”
Lorraine lit up and gushed about her granddaughter before Val could answer.Riley came back in a few minutes later.“Your presence is requested in the other room.”
“Who wanted to talk to me?”She left the kitchen with him.
“Me.You look amazing.”
“Thanks but you already said that.”
“No, I said you looked great.”
“What’s going on with you?Am I missing something?You’ve been acting weird ever since you dragged me out of Grey’s.”
“And kissed you.Don’t forget that.”
As if she could.“Why did you kiss me?”She needed to get this out in the open.Riley knew what was going on but she sure as hell didn’t.
“Because I wanted to.And I want to do it again.”
“Why?”
“That’s a silly question.Because you’re a beautiful woman and the first time was good but not nearly long enough.”
Before she could respond they walked into the den where a bunch of the guests gathered.Riley left her chatting to Cici, Val’s sister-in-law and a good friend of Letty’s.But every time she turned around, he seemed to be close.He also maneuvered to sit beside her at dinner.
There was turkey and dressing, green beans, potatoes, cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, and more.All the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.Then there was dessert, pies of all varieties, including Letty’s apple pies, naturally, and a chocolate sheet cake in case someone didn’t like pie.Someone had also brought a cheesecake.
Later, after dinner when she was ready to leave, Riley turned up again with her coat.“Thanks.Why are you being so nice and polite?”
He grinned.“I’ll walk you to your car.”
“I think I can make it on my own.”
“I’m sure you can, but I want to go with you.”
She gave up.
“It’s supposed to snow Saturday,” he said.“Are you going to the meeting for the Stroll?”The Stroll, which kicked off the Christmas season, was one of Marietta’s traditions that most of Marietta participated in.Main Street was closed to all but foot traffic and the stores stayed open late so people could Christmas shop.There were also food trucks with something different for everyone.
“Yes.Why?”
“Want me to pick you up?”
“I’m pretty sure I can manage to get there.I have snow tires, you know.”
“I’m not questioning if you can do it.I know you can.I just wondered if you’d like a ride.”
“Thanks, but no.”
“All right.Drive safe.”
She thought about Riley and what the hell he was doing all the way home.She didn’t come to any conclusions.Other than, for whatever reason, he’d decided he was interested in her.
And against her better judgment, she was interested in him.Because she was afraid Riley was one man who could make her forget why she didn’t want to be involved with anyone.
