Page 80 of Revenge Puck

“You remembered that?” I ask in surprise, barely able to recall telling him that in our conversation at the salon. “My parents are great. They still live in our hometown of Eden. It’s a rural place about an hour away from Greensboro. We try to see each other once a month since they have their own bakery to run.”

“And you have the salon to run.”

“Right. Everyone is busy. I’m hoping they’ll sell the bakery soon. They’re getting too old for all that hassle.”

“Yeah, owning your own business must be a lot of work.”

“It is, but it’s worth it to be your own boss,” I agree.

“I don’t doubt it,” Preston replies. His eyes then flicker toward the door leading into the house from the garage. “Well, are you ready to meet the boss of my house? I know Maya has probably been peeking out the windows, waiting for us to come inside so she can grill you.”

“I like your sister. She seems nice. Hopefully, this meeting goes better than our first.”

Unbuckling my seatbelt, I reach for the door when Preston grabs my hand. “I don’t want you to think you’re stranded out here if you decide to run again. Not that I want you to run, butif that’s what you want, I’ll take you back to your hotel or the airport or wherever you want to go.”

“I know. Thank you.” I lean over to give him a quick peck on the cheek, then we both get out of the SUV, Preston hauling my luggage up to the interior door, then through it. As he predicted, his sister is waiting for us in the kitchen. Wearing a red Warhawks hoodie and black leggings with her raven hair in a ponytail, she looks more like a college coed than a mother.

“Hi there! I was wondering how long you two were going to sit out in the car.” She throws her arms around me, giving me a big hug as if we’re friends or family who have known each other for years.

“Told you,” Preston mutters. “Elle, you remember Maya. Maya, be nice.”

“I’m always nice,” she huffs, bracing her hands on her hips. “And I’m so glad that you two worked things out. I’ve never seen Preston so out of sorts like he was last night. He bit my head off, but I totally deserved it.”

“You bit your sister’s head off?” I ask him. “Why? Because I left the arena?”

“You heard her,” he says. “She admits that she deserved it by overwhelming you.”

“I’m used to his temper tantrums,” Maya says with a roll of her chocolate brown eyes, so similar to her brother’s. “So, come in and get comfortable. Then I want you to tell meeverythingabout yourself.”

“Maya,” Preston mutters in warning.

“What? I’m curious about the woman who made my grumpy brother break his own rules after years and years of refusing to date.”

“I think you know everything there is to know about me,” I assure her as I follow her to the living room.

“I’ll put your luggage in one of the guest rooms,” Preston calls out from the hallway. “But don’t think that means I don’t want you in my bed, cupcake.”

“Cupcake,” Maya repeats with a chuckle as she flops down on the navy-blue sectional. “He’s ridiculous.”

“Right, because he doesn’t eat sweets.”

“Who doesn’t eat sweets?”

“I thought Preston said he doesn’t like them.”

“Oh, honey. That man can’t stop once he starts in on the sweets. He tries to avoid them because if he’s in for one cupcake, he won’t stop until he’s gobbled down half a dozen.”

Well, now I guess I feel a little better about the term of endearment.

27

Preston

I’ve barely been home long enough to show Elle around when my phone buzzes in my pocket.

Pulling it out, I see Tommy’s name on the screen.

“Hey, ah, my agent is calling,” I tell her. “Do you mind?”

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