“Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?” she asks. “We’ve really only just met.”
“I’ve always known what I know when I know it. And I know when I want something, I do everything I can to make it mine.” I could stay like this with her forever, talking and laughing. “I just want a chance to be the man that you’re looking for. If you’ll be open to it.”
She holds her hand to me and I take no time in reaching out and intertwining our fingers together. “Let’s see what you’ve got, December.”
Make no mistake about it, folks. I’m gonna win her over if it’s the last thing I ever do.
SIXTEEN
Riley
Before we arrived at the residence where the private dinner was being held, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. A normal home, I guess, one with maybe a second story and a separate dining room for sure, but not a full-on McMansion.
After knocking on the front door, Jake and I are led by the butler (yes, they have a real butler answering their door), to the kitchen. And we’re not taken to the regular kitchen, no—that’s for the people who live here. We’re shown the servants' kitchen, the room just beyond the first kitchen. It’s wild.
After the butler alerts us that the host will stop in to say hello, he disappears like a wisp of smoke, leaving Jake and I staring at each other and trying not to laugh.
“They have houses like this in Sweetkiss Creek?” he says, punctuating his sentence with a low whistle. “Wow. It’s huge.”
I start opening doors to see what we’re working with, finding the pots and pans quickly before stumbling across a closet-sized door. Flinging it open reveals the pantry and elicits a chuckle from my server for the night.
“If you’re thinking what I’m thinking…” he growls, his hands wrapping around my waist.
“No!” I laugh, peeling his hands off of me, turning him around, and shoving him in the direction of the door that leads outside. “I need you to unload the rest of the things from the car, please, while I get everything started.”
Throwing a wink at me over his shoulder as he leaves, I watch Jake until the door slams shut behind him. How quickly things have progressed for us in the matter of a few days, but I am wondering what’s going to happen now that he’s going to be headed back to River City any day.
“Hello?” a voice calls out from the hallway. When I look up, an older man, probably in his mid to late fifties, is standing in the doorway smiling. “You must be Riley. I’m John Daily.”
“Mr. Daily, nice to meet you,” I say, stepping forward and extending my hand. “We’re really excited to be here and putting on this meal for you tonight.”
“Not as thrilled as I am. Your mother sent over the menu and it looks incredible.” Kind green eyes crinkle at the corner as he smiles. “It’s a boys’ night tonight. I have a few friends coming, and my younger brother, too.”
“Okay,” I say with a nod. “Sounds like a full house.”
“It’s a small group, but my brother…he’s usually the loudest. I always feel the need to warn folks. He’s a bit of a loudmouth.”
A noise from the back door pulls our attention. Jake enters, carrying a few crates stacked on top of one another, and places them on the giant butcher’s block in the middle of the kitchen.
“This is your server for the night—”
I only get this much out before John’s eyes widen and he says, “Jake December?” His jaw hangs open and his eyes light up. “You’re a hockey player. Are you our server?”
Jake laughs, stepping forward to shake John’s hand. “I am, so go easy on me.”
“Not a problem,” John manages to say, even with that mouth of his still swaying in the breeze. “Wow. Boy, the guys are going to love this. Well, all except one.”
“Oh?” I ask, my eyebrows hiking.
“My brother, he’s a Blades fan,” he says, nodding Jake’s way knowingly. “Be prepared for a little harassment.”
Jake waves a hand in the air. “Tonight’s for charity. As long as he’s nice…”
John holds his hands up in mock surrender. “I’ll keep an eye on him. It’s just cool that you’re here. Wow. Jake December in my house.”
Watching Jake, I can tell he’s getting uncomfortable, but that’s because I’ve gotten to really know him in the last few days. I kind of like the fact that I can speak a secret language with this man, and I know that when he’s got his foot crossed, right in front of left, and he’s threaded his arms together in front of his chest he could be feeling a touch vulnerable. I’ve noticed this position a few times now; around my mom, even Mandy.
John waves a hand in the air as he disappears from view, leaving us alone to get down to business. I set my rhythm and start by turning on the ovens, pulling out the chicken to get it started as well as the potatoes for the appetizer. Everything is planned out meticulously, and I know I’m ready. Pulling out my phone, I find a music app and tap until my favorite playlist comes on—Yacht Rock—and hit play.
