Page 66 of Hungry Hearts

“He had to work, sweetie, but he said he’ll come over later.”

“Can he jump in the bouncy house with me?”

“I’m sure he’d love to.”

“Yay!” she yells on her way back out the door, pushing past Flynn as if he wasn’t there.

She grew up with her Uncle Flynn, but they don’t have a bond like she has with Ryder. Their relationship formed quickly and easily, as if they’ve known each other her entire life and he wasn’t a newcomer into her world.

“He’s leaving in the middle of his busiest time of night, on a Saturday, to see Ruby?” Juliana sighs. “Yeah, he’s a keeper.”

“This the guy I saw you with at the coffee shop?” Flynn asks as he steps between our girl group and reaches for a beer in the fridge.

“Technically, you and I were at Roast & Toast, and we saw him.”

I don’t know why I need to clarify. For him? For my sisters? For me? If Flynn really has feelings for me, I don’t want to crush them. He’s been a good friend to me, even before Adam died, but especially these past few years.

When I have a leaky faucet or my car makes a funny noise, I call Flynn. When I bought a new couch and needed help picking it up and moving it into the living room, I called Flynn. He responds without hesitation, coming to my rescue on the regular, all while asking for nothing in return. If he was interested in being more than friends, he’d have made a move by now.

“Didn’t know he and Ruby were acquainted,” he says with a flat tone. Not angry, not possessive. Just inquisitive.

“We’ve become friends. He’s stopping by later with a gift for her is all.” I wish it wasn’t all.

“Hm. Interesting.”

“Why is that interesting?” Juliana asks.

“He’s not the strap me down in a relationship and throw in a kid type of guy. He lives in the limelight in Sin City.”

“Sin City is Las Vegas. Boston is a far cry from there,” Laney surprises me by coming to Ryder’s defense.

“As long as he doesn’t hurt you, Maia.” Flynn kisses my temple like he’s done a hundred times before.

There’s no chemistry. No lingering. No innuendo at something more. When he leaves, I point at Laney. “See? Friends. That’s all.”

She snorts and shakes her head. “Not in the least. He’s holding it together because he cares about you.”

Then why doesn’t his kiss cause a tremor through my body? Why do his hugs feel like I’m hugging my brother-in-law? Why doesn’t Ruby ask about him?

Why doesn't my heart hammer in my chest like it does when I’m with Ryder?

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

MAIA:Party’s winding down. Adam’s parents just left. Come over when you can. Ruby’s been asking about you nonstop.

She doesn’t say anything about her thinking about me nonstop, but I’ll get the confession out of her soon enough. As soon as I pocket my phone, I tell my kitchen staff I’m done for the night. I prepared them ahead of time, letting them know I’d be leaving early.

Janice is an amazing kitchen manager, and I trust her to keep the quality of the dinners up to par. I personally trained everyone on my staff, from my waiters, to my sous chefs, to my assembly line chefs, and especially Janice. I’m not a micromanager who has to oversee every single plate that ends up on the tables.

I hurry upstairs to the penthouse and take a quick shower, then change into jeans, Converse, and a long-sleeve T-shirt. Nothing fancy. Save that for Drake and Nolan, who like to wear monkey suits to work.

I’d cook in joggers and worn T-shirts if my customers would still pay ninety bucks a plate for a piece of cow and some greens. Fifteen minutes later, I’m on the road to Maia’s. My GPS guides me along the quickest route, and it’s not long before I’m pulling up in front of a cute little bungalow.

Her humble abode reminds me of the house I grew up in. Small and well cared for. There are two unfamiliar cars in her driveway. I send her a text asking if it’s okay to come inside. If her in-laws are still there, I can drive around the block a few times.

Instead of texting back, she comes outside and scans the road for me. I climb out of Trey’s truck and slam the door. The noise catches her attention and she cocks her head at me.

“New wheels?”

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