Page 44 of Matched with the Playboy Next Door

I glance at Riley, who’s already shaking her head. “Dotty, ifyou’re matchmaking again, at least warn us so we can run for cover.”

“No promises,” Mia quips, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Dotty pats Riley’s arm, her tone soothing. “Don’t worry, darling. We’ll give you and Ethan plenty of time to enjoy your happily-ever-after before we start meddling again.”

“Plenty of time?” Riley echoes, narrowing her eyes. “Define ‘plenty.’”

Mia just winks. “You’ll find out.”

Before Riley can respond, Dotty links arms with Mia, steering her back toward the heart of the festival. “Come on, Mia. Let’s leave these two lovebirds to their moment.”

As they disappear into the crowd, Riley lets out a long sigh, shaking her head. “They’re insufferable.”

“You love them,” I point out, grinning.

She turns to me, her lips curving into a small smile. “Yeah. I do.”

The teasing and meddling are a lot, but as I look at Riley—her eyes shining, her hand still firmly in mine—I can’t help but feel grateful for Dotty and Mia. Without them, who knows how long it would’ve taken for us to get here?

“They’re right about one thing,” I say softly, brushing my thumb over her hand.

“Oh?” she asks, tilting her head.

“This feels like a great beginning,” I say, meeting her gaze. “Like we’re finally buildingsomething real.”

Her smile widens, and she steps closer, her free hand resting lightly on my chest. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”

“Neither am I,” I say, pulling her closer as the lights of the festival twinkle around us.

The festival lights are dimming as vendors start packing up and families gather their things, but Riley and I stay rooted in place. The energy around us is still buzzing—laughter, music, the smell of caramel and fried dough—but it feels like we’re in our own little world.

I glance down at her, taking in the way the soft light catches her features. She looks happy, content, and it’s a sight I want to memorize.

“This feels strange,” she admits, glancing at me.

“Strange how?” I ask, squeezing her hand.

“Good strange,” she replies, lifting her eyes to meet mine. “You make it easier to believe things can be… better.”

I smile, brushing my thumb over the back of her hand. “Yeah. I know the feeling.”

She leans into me slightly, and we stay like that for a while, watching the last of the festival crowd move about the square.

Of course, Mia and Dotty can’t stay gone for long. They reappear from somewhere near the pie-eating contest booth, both of them laughing like they’re in on some private joke.

“You two still standing here?” Mia teases as they approach. “Don’t you have better things to do than stare at the lights like lovesick puppies?”

Riley groans softly. “Mia, I swear?—”

“Relax,” Mia interrupts, waving her hand. “I’m done meddling. For now.”

“Good,” Riley says, narrowing her eyes.

Dotty, ever the peacekeeper, steps forward with a warm smile. “We’re just glad to see you both happy. That’s all. Right, Mia?”

Mia shrugs, her grin mischievous. “Sure. But don’t think this means we’re retiring. There are plenty of other people in this town who could use our matchmaking magic.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? Who’s next on the list?”

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