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“You know, she’s right,” I tell Riley after a moment. “The longer we wait to tell our families about this, the more awkward it’s going to be when they find out.”
“Exactly,” Arielle says, thumping a fist on the table and grinning. “You know, life will be easier for both of you if you just live by this rule, ‘Arielle’s always right.’”
“You sure we shouldn’t expand that to the entire world?” Riley deadpans. “Or is that too much?”
“Nope, not at all,” Arielle says easily. “I’ve already got the folks at the home believing it, and now you two believe it. I’ll be a bonafide cult leader before you know it.” She looks down at Raffy, who’s hovering below the table, hoping for scraps. “What do you think Raffy? Wanna be my mascot?”
“He’s my dog,” Riley warns.
Arielle grabs a chunk of scrambled egg from my plate and feeds it to an excited Raffy. “Yeah, but he loves me too.”
“Hey!” I shout. “Those are mine.”
“Yeah? Well, she was mine,” Arielle challenges, pointing at Riley.
I think Arielle wins this argument. But I’m certain I’m winning at life . . . with Riley by my side, pants covering my ass, and a good plate of scrambled eggs.
Chapter 16
Riley
I guess it’s fitting that Noah and I are doing this on a Sunday.
Sundays are the traditional day for family. Gathered around a table or television, with grills fired up and ovens baking, it’s an important way for connections to be forged, built, and strengthened.
So I guess we couldn’t have picked a better day than today.
If that’s true, though, why are my fingers shaking, my heart racing, and my belly feeling like I swallowed too much soda in one go? I’d burp if I could, but I don’t think even a monster belch would help these bubbles in my stomach.
“How’re you feeling?” Noah asks softly as he comes up behind me. His hands encircle my waist, and I sink back into him, letting his solidness ground me, but I never stop stirring the mashed potatoes on the stove. The butter, salt, pepper, and cream need to blend evenly because Mom’s recipe deserves to be smooth. Never lumpy. Nobody wants lumpy mashed potatoes.
“Anxious and nervous,” I whisper back, glancing over my shoulder. “You sure about this?”
This is our big announcement. It shouldn’t be that big of a deal, except to one person.
River.
My brother is going to have something to say about Noah and me, but it’s time to get everything out in the open. I invited everyone to my place for dinner thinking that crossing that bridge one time is enough. Well, twice, I guess, since we already told Arielle. That hadn’t been the plan, though.
Speaking of plans . . . and the planner . . .
Noah nods, cupping my chin. “Damn right, I am. I want everyone to know I’m yours.”
He’s mine. The words thrill me, and I know that they’re true.
He lays a gentle kiss to the corner of my mouth and then moves to my ear. Deep and dark, with layers of meaning, he adds, “And I want everyone to know you’re mine.” A shiver goes through me, and I can hear the triumphant grin in his voice when he says, “It’s going to be fine, Riley. Trust me.”
I do. I trust him and our plan to make this as easy as possible. I leaned on his planning skills as we discussed possible reactions from River and our mothers, and then, I reassured him that it’d all be fine. That they’d be happy for us—surprised, of course, but they’d basically throw a parade for our finding that special someone. Because who wouldn’t be happy for their family member to fall in love?
Now, though, with the knocks on the door imminent, I’m the uncertain one.
Not of Noah. Or myself. Or us.
But of disappointing my mom and brother. We don’t keep things from each other as a rule. We’re open and honest with each other, yet I’ve been hiding something important. Someone important.
That’s going to hurt them. That’s what I’m nervous about.
Well, that and I’m meeting Noah’s mom, Natalie, for the first time. Nothing says ‘great first impression’ like springing a surprise relationship on everyone at once, right?
The knock on the door makes me jump, and Noah spins me in place, meeting my eyes. “Riley, are you sure? We don’t have to do this if you’re not ready. We can wait.”
I put the spoon in the pot so I can cup his cheeks with both hands. “Noah Mark Daniels, I am sure. Of me, of you, and of us. The only thing I’m not sure of is my idiot brother. I love him, but River is not known for his calm, cool head.”
Noah grins. “It’s a good thing I’ve been dealing with him for years then. We got this. And I’ll get the door.” He kisses my nose, and then he’s gone to answer my door.
