Page 40 of Matched with the Playboy Next Door

Harriet steps closer, her expression warm. “You’ve done so much for this community, Riley. We all wanted a chance to give back, to show you how much we appreciate you.”

The words catch me off guard, and I blink rapidly, fighting the sudden sting of emotion behind my eyes. I’ve always thrown myself into my work, into helping where I can, but I’ve never expected anything in return. Hearing it laid out like this—it’s almost too much.

“Besides, he wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Harriet adds with a laugh. “Said this was too important to let slip by.”

My heart stirs, and for a moment, I can’t look at him.

“Thank you,” I say again, my voice steadier this time.

The volunteers slowly start filing out, each one offering a wave or a word of encouragement as they leave. I try to catch each of them with a smile, but the weight of Ethan’s presence pulls at me, keeping me tethered to the moment.

By the time the door closes behind the last of them, the store is quiet again. It’s just me and Ethan now, the hum ofthe fluorescent lights above the only sound breaking the silence.

I turn to him, folding my arms. “So, is this the part where you tell me to stop being mad and just forgive you?”

He lets out a soft laugh, shaking his head. “Not even close.”

He steps closer, his gaze locking on mine, and my breath catches.

“Riley,” he starts, his voice soft but steady, “I know I’ve given you plenty of reasons not to trust me. And I know that letting people in hasn’t been easy for you—not after everything you’ve been through.”

My chest tightens, his words hitting me in ways I didn’t expect.

“But I need you to know,” he continues, his voice trembling slightly, “that I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. I’m all in, Riley. With this town. With you.”

I blink, tears stinging the corners of my eyes, and I hate that he’s getting to me like this.

“This wasn’t just about fixing up the store,” he says, gesturing around the room. “This was about showing you that you don’t have to do everything on your own. That you’ve got people here who care about you—me included.”

“Ethan…” I start, but my voice breaks, and I have to look away.

He steps closer, his hand brushing against mine. “I know I’ve screwed up. I know I’ve made you feel like you couldn’t trust me. But I’m asking you to give me a chance. To let me prove that I’m not the guy you’re afraid I am.”

My heart is pounding so hard I can barely think, the weight of his words pressing against every defense I’ve spent years building.

“I don’t know how to do this,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “Letting people in… it’s not something I’m good at.”

“You don’t have to be,” he says softly. “You just have to try. And I’ll be here. Every step of the way.”

I look up at him, and the vulnerability in his eyes undoes something in me. For the first time in years, I feel the wall I’ve built around my heart starts to crack, just a little.

“I’m scared,” I whisper.

“I know,” he replies, his voice steady. “But you don’t have to be scared alone.” He reaches for me, pulling me into a tight hug that I don’t refuse. I wrap my arms around his body, feeling his warmth.

The silence stretches between us, heavy but full of promise. And for the first time, I let myself believe him.

When I get back home, the house feels unusually quiet, but the low hum of voices coming from the living room gives Dotty and Mia away. I step through the door, and there they are—Dotty perchedin her favorite armchair, sipping tea, while Mia sprawls across the couch, flipping through a magazine like she owns the place.

They both look up when I walk in, their eyes practically sparkling with suppressed excitement.

“Had a busy day?” Dotty asks, her tone far too casual.

I narrow my eyes at her, then at Mia. “You two.” I point between them. “You’ve been scheming.”

Mia raises an eyebrow, all innocence. “Scheming? Us? Never.”

I fold my arms, shaking my head. “Don’t play coy. I knew something was up the moment you wouldn’t let me leave your sight all day.”

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