Page 55 of Hungry Hearts

She rattles off a slew of Barbies and princess dolls, including colors and styles of princess dresses she likes. After a dozen more odds and ends, she finalizes her list with a castle for all the princesses.

“Not much to go on, but I’ll see what I can do.”

The little princess lights right up like I’m Santa Clause on Christmas morning and I haven’t even gotten her anything yet.

“Does that mean you’ll come? It’s in six days. Or is it five now?” she asks her mom.

“It’s Saturday,” Maia says to Ruby, still ignoring me.

“Can I go play on the jungle gym now?”

Maia nods and Ruby runs off to the playground behind me. I move to the other side of the bench so I’m closer to Maia and can watch Ruby play. We watch her in silence as she climbs to the top of the tower. When she starts chatting it up with another little girl, Maia lets out a sigh.

“It’s not that I don’t want you there.”

“It’s okay,” I lie. The rational side of me understands. Introducing me to her family is a big fucking deal. But the rest of me doesn’t understand. This is a big fucking deal. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before. Never felt so committed. It’s not fair to be upset with her for protecting her privacy.

“Adam’s parents, sister, and brother-in-law will be there.”

“Still trying to keep me as your dirty little secret?” Her shoulders tense. “Fuck. Sorry. I get it. I mean, I don’t, but I’m trying.”

“I know you are.” She turns on the bench and lays a hand on my thigh.

I stare at her fingers, wishing I could hold her hand, pull her in close, and kiss her until she forgets everyone but me. And Ruby. Because there’s nothing I can do to make her forget Ruby, not that I’d ever want to.

“You’re not a secret, Ryder. I told my parents I was seeing someone.”

I lift my head in surprise. “You did?”

She nods. “They’re happy for me, but worried I’ll get my heart crushed again.”

“Maia.” I thread my fingers through hers and squeeze our joined hands, keeping them on my thigh and out of sight of Ruby, not that she’s paying us any attention. “I promise not to ever intentionally hurt you or Ruby.”

“I know you won’t intentionally.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She shrugs and looks away, watching Ruby bounce from one set of bars to the other. “My life is hardly glamorous. While my days are centered around my daughter, my salon, simple homemade meals, and now dance classes that Ruby insisted on taking, your life is fast paced and...sexy.”

“Maia. The only sexy thing about my life is that you’re in it.”

She curls her lips between her teeth and meets my gaze. I brush a loose strand of hair away from her face, wishing we were alone so I could devour her worries with my mouth and hands.

“Itwouldmean a lot to Ruby if you came.”

“I won’t go if it will make you uncomfortable.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but everything about you has made me uncomfortable. I’m getting used to it...to you though.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment and ignore the not-so-subtle dig.”

“It’s not a dig.” She squeezes my hand and inches her fingers along the inside of my thigh, stopping dangerously close to the growing piece of hardwood in my jeans. “You’ve pushed me, and I’ve liked it.”

“Like? Angel, the way you scream for me and God when I make you come tells me you’re way pastlikingbeing pushed.”

Adorable pink dots color her cheeks. “It’s going to be awkward for you at the party.”

“I’ll manage, as long as it’s not awkward for you.”

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