Page 119 of Desperate Pucker
I smile. “I grew up with a little sister who’s really into clothes, so I’m used to it.”
“Aww you sound like a sweetie,” Celeste says. “Hey, why don’t I whip up some gravy so we can have biscuits and gravy for lunch?”
“You don’t have to do that, Mom.”
“I like biscuits and gravy,” I say. Maddy frowns at me. I shrug. “I do.”
Celeste claps her hands. “Wonderful! I’ll get started on it. Why don’t you kids set the table? This won’t take more than ten minutes.”
Chapter 42
Ryker
Ipat my hand over my stomach, which is aching from the massive serving of biscuits and gravy I just inhaled.
“Celeste, that was delicious. Thank you.”
She flashes a giddy smile. “I’m glad you liked it. And I hope it’s okay for me to say, but you have an impressive appetite.”
“I’ve heard that many times in my life.”
“I mean, it makes sense. You’re a tall drink of water.”
I hold back a laugh. Maddy raises an eyebrow at her mom. “Easy, Mom.”
Celeste holds up a hand. “I’m just sayin’. It’s nice to cook for someone who eats like Ryker does.” She turns to me. “My Madeline had to be so careful with her diet when she was a figure skater. I would cook for her, and she could barely eat much of it.” Celeste smiles at Maddy’s empty plate. “I’m so happy you ate all your food.”
Maddy gives her mom a warm smile. “I’m definitely getting my appetite back now that I’m not competing anymore.” She looks at me. “Ryker’s actually really good in the kitchen. He’s cooked for me a few times.”
Celete’s expression turns giddy as she looks at me. “Really?”
“I’m not as good a cook as you, Celeste, but I can whip up a few things.”
“His potato soup is phenomenal,” Maddy says. “And his chocolate chip cookies are to die for.”
Celeste gasps. “You cookandbake?”
I rub the back of my neck. “Yes, ma’am.”
Celeste looks at me with intrigue in her eyes again. “You’re quite a catch.”
She reaches over and grabs Maddy’s hand in hers. “My Madeline didn’t inherit my cooking gene.”
Maddy rolls her eyes good-naturedly.
“Both of my parents like to cook, so I grew up in the kitchen with them,” I say. “And I have two siblings who are a lot younger than me, so I cooked for them too.”
“What a sweet big brother you are,” Celeste says.
“He really is,” Maddy says. “He dropped everything to help his little brother with his car a few weeks ago.”
“Any big brother would do that for their sibling,” I say, flattered by how she speaks of me so sweetly.
Maddy’s smile dims. “Not every big brother.”
I instantly think of her older half-siblings. I notice Celeste give Maddy’s hand a squeeze.
Celeste shakes her head. Her expression twists like she’s in pain. “I really wish Madeline’s siblings were willing to have a relationship with her.” She sighs. “Sometimes I feel so guilty.”
