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Caroline thought that maybe this kind of ambush was exactly the reason why Ryland didn’t bring anyone home, but she didn’t say anything. It was best not to insult Valerie Wolverton. She was as glamorous as she was intimidating.
“Caroline. That’s a nice name. What do you do for work?”
“I’m a podcaster,” she replied.
“Oh! Are youtheCaroline Knight? The woman from that podcast Ryland is obsessed with?”
Caroline’s mouth dropped in shock. “He listens to my podcast?”
“Religiously,” Valerie answered with a grin. “Isn’t that why you’re here? He used his connections to get in touch with you, didn’t he?”
“Hmm, no.” There wasn’t much else she could say. She was too shocked to speak. Here she was, thinking that Ryland pretty much hated her and what she did for a living, only to find out he was a fan! And not just a fan.
He listened to herreligiously.
When he jibbed her with that earlier, she thought it was a lie, but now? Now, she was flattered and a little bit dizzy.
Is that what lay behind that locked door? Did Ryland have some kind of shrine to her? She giggled at the thought, and unfortunately, thatreallygot Valerie’s attention.
“It amuses you that he likes you,” she said.
Caroline shrugged. “It’s always nice to know your work is appreciated.”
“Oh, honey, if you’re here, it means so much more than your work being appreciated.”
Caroline felt herself blush, and she looked away from the elegant woman, hoping she wouldn’t notice. She didn’t have to come up with a response, however.
The front door was thrown open, and a panting and slightly sweaty Ryland stood there, glaring at his mother.
“What … are … you … doing?” he asked.
“Just getting to know yourgirlfriend.”
Ryland sat on the couch with a sigh and reached for his drink. “I’m too old for this,” he grumbled.
FOURTEEN
RYLAND
Ryland didn’t even bother waiting for the elevator. He was a fast runner, and so he took the steps four at a time all the way to the penthouse. He didn’t stop running until he burst through his front door.
As he suspected, his mother sat on the couch with Caroline.
The two women looked up at him. Caroline was shocked, but his mother’s amusement made him nervous.
“Just getting to know yourgirlfriend.” She put enough emphasis on the word that Ryland was scared his mom had guessed.
But how could she?
He’d dated women before. He’d had women in his place before. He just kept them away from his mother in case she got the wrong idea.
“Isn’t it fun you’ve finally met Caroline?” Mom drawled. “Though, I will admit that you don’t look anything like I pictured you.”
“Oh?” Caroline asked. “What do you mean?”
“I started listening to your show when my eldest son Wilder told me about it. It’s all very exciting to solve crimes, isn’t it?”
Caroline nodded, but she looked at him. Ryland didn’t want to decipher the smirk on her lips. Now, Caroline knew he was a fan.
