Page 249 of Love in Riverbend
Peering around his shoulder, I smile, seeing Devan sitting on Justin’s lap, not unlike how Ricky and I were a few minutes ago.
Devan laughs, throwing her head back. “Since you two went MIA, we decided to give you space.” Her attention goes to where my hand is in Ricky’s. “It looks like you weren’t upstairs fighting.”
Despite the warmth filling my cheeks, I walk around Ricky and face our friends. “This weekend is about coming clean, right?”
“Shower is upstairs,” Justin says, causing my cheeks to flame even brighter as memories of this morning’s shower take new life in my mind.
Devan stands, separating herself from her husband. “Okay, spill. Both of you.”
I look up at Ricky as he stares down at me. Taking a breath, I’m the first to speak. “Maybe I’m an idiot, but we are going to give this a try.”
“This…?” Devan presses.
Ricky volunteers, “What Marilyn is saying is that she’s giving me another chance, one I hope I don’t blow.”
“That question I asked earlier…” Justin says to Ricky.
“Still none of your business.”
With a contented grin, Justin nods. He looks at me. “Just so you know, Marilyn, Rick never said anything to me about…”
“About our first time,” I say.
Devan’s eyes grow wide. “Does that mean there’s been a second, a third…?”
Ignoring the fire raging in my cheeks and neck, I smile at my friend. “It means two consenting adults are going to see if we can make this work.”
“That means you’re dating?” Devan asks.
Again, Ricky and I look at each other and nod. Ricky lets go of my hand and wraps his arm around my shoulder. “If we need labels, then yes, at least until Marilyn realizes she’s too good for me.”
Devan’s scream fills the office as she claps her hands. “I knew it. I knew you didn’t really hate each other. I mean, I knew after Justin told me what happened. Before then, you had me fooled.” She reaches for my hand. “Come on, let’s go to the kitchen, and you can tell me everything.”
Ricky tugs on my other hand, leans down, and kisses me. It isn’t the same as getting a pregame kiss in the stands before a Riverbend men’s softball game, but in many ways, it feels as significant. I smile up at him. “Dating?”
“Yeah. I like the sound of that.”
“Me too.”
It isn’t until Devan has us back in the kitchen that she turns, grabs my arms, and jumps up and down, mouthing a silent scream. Finally, she speaks. “This is amazing.”
“You don’t think it’s weird that your friend likes your brother?”
“Yes. But to be honest, I would think it was weird that anyone liked Ricky. I think it’s fantastic that he likes you too. He’s never seemed like the settle-down type.”
Settle down.
That’s not what we’re doing.
Dating.
Yep, just dating.
Devan and I keep the conversation light until Justin and Ricky leave the house. They claimed they had a few things to check out in the barns, and then they were meeting some friends in town at Decoy Ducks, one of Riverbend’s most popular drinking establishments.
Once the back door slams, she reaches across the table and covers my hand with hers. “Give me details.” She scrunches her nose. “Not copious amounts, because Ricky is my brother, but still.”
“You’re no longer mad?”
