“I hope you don’t expect me to know how to bake,” I tell him, and everyone laughs.
“You’ll learn real quick, honey. Trust me, the extent of my meals were frozen pizzas and microwavable dinners. Mama Bishop taught me everything I know about Southern cooking. Her recipes are to die for. You’ll have to come over and write some of them down. Riley’s a great cook, though,” his mama brags. “When he wants to be, that is.”
“Ma, you can’t tell Zoey my secrets,” he jokes, but I do want to know them all.
“So you gonna tell us about this dare?” Rowan asks, looking at him and then glancing over at me.
I snort, wondering when someone was going to bring it up. “Well…” I turn and look at Riley, not sure how much he really wants them to know, considering it was a payback dare, but he doesn’t seem to care. He lays it all out from the strip club, to meeting at brunch, to Diesel being an idiot and daring us to get married.
“Oh, so you’re responsible for this, too?” Alex asks me with a cocky grin. “You agreed to this on purpose?”
I shrug, though I know he’s only teasing. “I’m often known for my bad decisions.” I glance at Riley with a smirk. “But this time, I think it was the right one.”
“When you know, you know,” his dad says, looking at his wife with so much admiration you’d think they just met yesterday. Their love is undeniable.
“That’s true,” Riley pipes in. “The moment I saw Zoey, I knew.”
“At the strip club?” I ask, searching his face, and he nods.
“So it was like divine intervention?” Rowan asks, giggling.
“We all can’t have crushes on people who live in town.” Riley cackles, and her face distorts.
“Who? I don’t know who you’re even talking about.” Rowan stands and picks up the pile of dirty plates. She tries to hide her reaction, but I see a hint of blush on her cheeks. Riley doesn’t name-drop who he’s referring to, which I find cute, but I’m certain it’s someone they all know.
“What are your plans for the rest of the day?” Alex asks.
I glance over at Riley, who shrugs.
“I was gonna paint the barn before Grandma has a hissy fit. I know she can’t stand things to be out of place, especially since the B&B guests can see it,” he says.
“You’re right,” Alex agrees. “Not a bad idea, and it’s not supposed to be as hot this afternoon.”
“What about you?” River asks me. “Do you like gardening?”
“Love getting my hands dirty,” I admit, smiling.
“Mila’s been working at the school all week, so she hasn’t had any free time, but she mentioned planting veggies this afternoon if you wanna help,” she suggests. “I’m sure she’d love and appreciate the company.”
Riley glances at me. “Only if you want to. Don’t feel obligated.”
“I’d love that, actually. I just need to change first.” I’m so damn excited to be involved. I’ve always wanted a garden but never could have one due to the subdivision we live in, plus our backyard isn’t big enough. One time, I planted some herbs, but my mother was annoyed it didn’t match her décor, so after we used everything, I didn’t continue with it. Most of the time, I try not to get in her way.
After the dining room table is cleared and the dishes are washed, Riley says goodbye, and his mom pulls me into a big hug.
“You come back anytime. Our home is yours,” River tells me.
“Lunch was amazing. The pie was to die for,” I admit. “Thank you for the invite.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie. Glad you’re a part of the family. Keep this one under control,” she tells me, pointing at Riley as we walk out the door.
Guilt surfaces as we walk to the truck. Riley’s introducing me to everyone as if I’ve already moved here permanently. After we climb in, my thoughts take over, and he senses my mood change.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, giving me his full attention.
I don’t even know how to say what I’m thinking without ruining everything. I blow out a breath and sigh. “I don’t want anyone to get too attached to the idea of us,” I admit as hard as it is.
He stares intently at me. “Why not?”
I tilt my head. “Because we’re in test mode, and nothing is set in stone right now.”
Riley grabs my hand and interlocks his fingers with mine, then kisses my knuckles. “I don’t want you to leave, Zoey. I know everything is still new, and eloping in Vegas is one of the most insane things I’ve ever done in my life, but I think what we have is special. The forever kind.”
I suck in a deep breath, and while I don’t disagree, it doesn’t stop me from worrying that we’re jumping the gun. “But what if it’s just the excitement of it all? What happens when the newness wears off? That’s the type of thing I think about.”