Page 19 of Matched with the Playboy Next Door

“Thanks for the advice,” I say, my tone dry.

“Don’t mention it,” Mia replies, patting me on the shoulder.

As I step out onto the porch later, the cool night air feels sharp against my skin. Riley follows not long after, her expression unreadable, but I can’t let the night end without saying something.

“Riley,” I call out, catching her just as she’s about to step off the porch.

She pauses, turning to face me, her expression guarded. “What?”

I hesitate for a second, the words sitting heavy on my tongue. “Why do you keep pushing me away?”

She frowns, crossing her arms. “I’m not pushing you away.”

“Really?” I say, stepping closer. “Because it feels like every time we start to get along, you throw up another wall. What areyou so afraid of?”

I take a deep breath, my words teetering on the edge of anger and something softer. I’m not mad at her—I’m just tired of feeling like I’m chasing shadows.

Her arms cross over her chest like a shield, and I can almost see the walls she’s building in real time. It’s maddening, but it only makes me want to try harder.

Her jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think she’s going to brush me off again. But then her eyes meet mine, and there’s something in them that feels raw, like she’s about to say something real.

But before she can answer, the porch light flickers and Dotty’s voice calls out from inside. “Riley, sugar! Can you help me with dessert?”

Riley exhales sharply, breaking the moment. “I have to go,” she says, brushing past me and disappearing into the house.

I stand there for a long moment, the unanswered question lingering in the air between us.

The night air is as crisp as the apple pie we just enjoyed, and I lean against the porch railing, letting the cool breeze settle around me. The stars above are so clear here, the kind of thing I never really noticed in the city.

Dotty and Mia are sitting on the porch swing, their voices low and comfortable, talking about the book club. I glance over at Riley, standing a few feet away, her arms crossed tightly as she looks out at the yard. There’s a familiardistance between us, one that I know she’s deliberately keeping. She’s still got her walls up, and no matter how many times I try to break through, she’s always one step ahead, keeping me just out of reach.

I wonder if I’m chasing something impossible. But then I remember the way her eyes softened earlier, just for a second, and I know it’s worth the effort. Riley might be all sharp edges and walls, but I’ve always liked a challenge.

I let out a breath, pushing off the railing. “So, what’s the latest in the thrilling world of hardware?” I ask, trying to keep the mood light. “Big run on hammers this week?”

Riley gives me a side-eye, that trademark smirk of hers tugging at the corner of her lips. “You really don’t stop, do you?”

I grin, leaning back against the porch post, enjoying the way she’s looking at me with that little bit of challenge in her eyes. “Just trying to keep things interesting.”

“Well, it’s already interesting enough for me,” she says, rolling her eyes. “The last thing I need is you making it more complicated.”

I chuckle, taking a step closer. “Hey, I don’t complicate things. I’m just offering a little fun.”

She gives me a look like she’s trying to decide if I’m being genuine or just messing with her. But then, for a second, I see a little something in her eyes—maybe it’s curiosity, it’s perhaps hesitation—but it’s there. And for that second, I think maybe, just maybe, we’re connecting on a level that doesn’t involve sarcasmor avoidance.

“You know,” I start, the words coming out before I can stop them, “you’ve got this whole thing about keeping your distance, Riley.”

She doesn’t respond right away; she watches me with that guarded expression. The tension is thick between us now, like a string pulled too tight.

“You always put up a wall,” I continue, my voice softer. “And I get it. It’s easier that way. But you don’t have to push me away, you know. I’m not trying to be the guy who makes everything more complicated.”

She flinches slightly, like she’s not expecting me to push through that wall so directly. For a second, I think I’ve gone too far. Maybe I should back off, but then I remember something she said a while ago—about how her mom used to garden and how much it meant to her. It was such a small thing, but it stuck with me.

“I heard you talking about your mom’s garden,” I say, my voice low, more sincere than before. “It’s clear you’ve put a lot of yourself into this place. The way you care about the little things here, it doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Riley’s eyes flicker, just for a moment, like she’s surprised that I remembered. She opens her mouth to say something, but I beat her to it.

“You don’t have to keep everything locked up, Riley,” I say, my gaze softening. “I see how hard you work to keep everything together, and it’s not just the yard or the shop. It’s you. And for what it’s worth, I’m not going anywhere. I don’t expect you to open up overnight, but I’m not going to run, either.”

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