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Mom claps her hands. “Well, now that that’s all done, shall we eat?”
Thankful for the distraction, I grab the chicken from the oven and direct Arielle to get the mashed potatoes. River’s already guarding the plate of biscuits, so Natalie picks up the bottle of wine.
I have one solid minute of everything seeming perfect and fine, with most of the people I love around the table for a nice family dinner. And then Mom pipes up.
“Oh, honey, you should call your dad and let him know you’re dating Noah. I’m sure he’ll be excited. Remember the time zone difference to Malaysia, though. And you know it takes him a long time to arrange his schedule to be home for any important dates . . . like weddings or babies.”
“Mom! We’re dating! Not engaged!” I yell, horrified. We literally just got to the point of making this public to our families, and Mom is practically shoving Noah and me down the aisle and into Lamaze classes.
Mom shrugs casually. “That’s fine, honey. I’m just reminding you . . . in case.” Mom and Natalie meet eyes and share a secret smile that is not at all secret.
Well, we planned for River’s reaction, though that didn’t go to my plan. It seems we should’ve prepared better for our mothers’ reactions too.
Chapter 17
Noah
When we finally get everyone out of Riley’s apartment after dinner, we collapse on the couch.
“That went well,” I say, running my fingers through Riley’s blonde waves to twist one around my finger. It feels like spun silk, golden and soft.
Riley looks up from my chest to stare at me in shock. “’That went well’? Seriously?”
I kiss her nose. “That’s what I said, and I stand by it. River could’ve really freaked out, your mom could’ve said I wasn’t good enough, Arielle might’ve gotten stuck at work, or my mom might’ve asked why I invited her to dinner at someone else’s home. And Raffy could have gone Cujo on one of them instead of being the cuddle bug he always is. So, that went well,” I declare again. “And that cheesecake brought back some good memories.”
Riley quiets, shifting to lay her head back on my chest again. “Did you really worry about all that?”
“Hmm,” I hum, “not worry. More like consider.”
“What else are you ‘considering’ right now?”
“I’m considering doing the dishes or leaving them for later. I’m considering taking you to the bedroom or staying right here on the couch to fuck you. I’m considering drawing a bath in that tiny tub of yours and seeing if we can both fit in there at the same time.” I pause, searching my mind. “Yeah, that’s about it. You?”
Riley’s cheek lifts against my chest, and I feel her smile though I can’t see it. “I’m considering calling my dad. I want this out in the open because you’re important to me, Noah. I heard all the things you told River, and I want you to know . . . me too. I want to spend time with you—need it, in fact. I’m happy by nature, but you make me happy by nurture. You feed my soul.”
I don’t know what comes over her, but she starts making adorably weird Cookie Monster gobbling noises, feigning at nibbling along my chest. “Nom-nom, my cookie. Soul cookie. Nom-nom-nom.” Her teeth nip my skin through my shirt, not hurting but letting me feel the pressure.
I bark out a laugh, my chest rumbling as I pull her tight against me. “Soul cookie? See, Sunshine . . . how could I resist that?”
She snuggles into me like a happy kitten. “You’re not supposed to.”
“Tell you what,” I say, smacking her ass sharply. She squeals happily, wiggling around to mock-glare at me. “You call your dad and I’ll do the dishes. And then I’ll meet you for that bath, we can go to bed, and I’ll nom-nom your cookie. Deal?”
Is this what flirting has become? With Riley, it is. Fun and silly and full of smiles. Later, she’ll love some dirty talk, but for now, the ridiculousness of it is what makes us both happy.
“Are we negotiating?” Riley teases with a coy lift of her shoulder.
“Nope. Call, bath, bed.”
She smiles, and I get up to give her a moment to make her call in private. I can hear her from the kitchen, but I do my best to tune out, letting her have the space to say what she needs to with her dad.
Raffy escorts me to the kitchen, knowing there’s a better shot that he’ll get a treat from me in the ‘food room’ than from Riley on the couch. The sink is full of dishes, the remnants of our family dinner stacked neatly. I turn on the hot water, rinsing the plates before loading the dishwasher.
I try not to listen, but I hear Riley say brightly, “Hi, Dad!”
