Page 36 of Sinful Abandon

“She was no good for Ryan,” Andrea translates for her mom. “They didn’t have that connection. He’d walk into a room, and she wouldn’t even look at him.”

“Oh, hell, I haven’t looked at Hal in years,” Aunt Maria says with a laugh.

Hal pats himself on the gut. “Good thing. I’ve changed quite a bit over the last twenty-five years. Just keep on thinking of the guy you married on your wedding day.”

Jenny shakes her head. “When you are in love, especially young love, you’re supposed to look at them like they are the only person in the room. When they speak, your heart races, and when they touch you—oh, when you touch—it’s like fireworks exploding on the Fourth of July,” Andrea speaks for her mom.

I take a long drink of my beer. The cold bottle gives me something to feel, other than the words Jenny just said. I remember Ryan saying his parents were firm believers in love. I’ve just never heard anyone speak of it so beautifully.

I clear my throat and play the game.

“I leave her for five minutes, and you wrangle her into a game of LCR?” Ryan’s soothing voice comes from the background.

He pulls up a chair and sits behind me, maneuvering himself slightly next to his Uncle John. He’s changed into blue cargo shorts and a beige crew neck T-shirt. His hair is styled back in a loose yet perfect way. He smells like a fresh shower.

When I look back toward the table, I see Jenny has a knowing look in her eye, directed toward me. Her brows are raised, and her mouth is quirked up.

“Looks like you’re the ringer.” Ryan motions to the money in front of me and places a hand on my knee.

My current, the river inside me, flows with his touch.

“So, Heather, when is the wedding?” Aunt Maria asks.

Lost in the feeling of Ryan’s hand on my skin, I have to think about what she just asked me.

Yes, the wedding. Why does everyone want to know the answer to this question?

“My fiancé hasn’t picked a date yet.”

Hal makes a cackling noise. “You’re waiting for him to pick a date? That’s the girl’s job. The groom just shows up.”

I fake a smile. “We haven’t gotten around to planning. The engagement just happened. We’re…settling into that. Getting our paperwork in order.”

“Paperwork?” Hal asks curiously.

Ryan saves me. “Heather is swamped with work. She’s brilliant at what she does.”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t think the staff would agree.”

“That’s who I heard it from,” he says.

I twist around to face him.

“You’re the best senior producer they’ve ever had. Before you came, the show was gonna be canceled. You saved it.” He takes my beer off the table and starts drinking from it. “They’re thankful for you. You just make it hard for them to show their appreciation.”

I blink at Ryan a few times. Being appreciated by the staff is the last thing I expected.

“Your turn.” John hands me the dice.

I roll them and get three dots. The table erupts in cheers and jeers.

We’re toward the end of the game. Most of the dollars are piled in the center. Only a handful is floating around the table. We continue to pass the dice to whoever has bills in front of them, all while talking and joking. His family is fun and welcoming in a way I never expected. No one thinks it’s odd that Ryan’s engaged supervisor is here. No one questions why he is sitting so close to me or why he becomes overly excited when my chances of winning this silly game become greater.

This is what a family is like. What a home sounds like. It’s warm, a place a person could easily become accustomed to remaining.

The game becomes intense. I even find myself getting enthusiastic about what other people’s rolls are going to be. Dollars are passed left and right, and more are being placed into the center.

It comes down to me and Nancy. We each have a single dollar in front of us. If she gets a dot or an R, the game continues. If she gets a C or an L, the game is over, and I win.