Page 121 of Desperate Pucker
Chapter 43
Maddy
“You don’t have to take the trash out,” I say when I see Ryker head toward the front door with a garbage bag.
He just keeps walking. “It’s no problem.”
When he heads out, my mom turns to me, her smile knowing. “Darlin’, are you sure he’s just a friend?”
I try to fight the smile that pulls at my mouth, but it’s no use. I’m a terrible liar, and my mom can always tell when I’m hiding something.
“Okay, fine. We’re a little more than friends.”
Mom squeezes my hand and gives me a giddy smile.
“Don’t get too excited,” I say. “It’s not serious.”
She raises her eyebrow at me. “Madeline, I saw the way he looks at you. And the way he calls you Maddy. Cute little nickname. That young man adores you.”
I bite my lip. “He actually bought that dress for me. And arranged a private shopping session for me.”
Mom’s eyes go wide. A massive grin splits her face. “A man doesn’t take a woman dress shopping and buy her the most glamorous gown if he isn’t interested in getting serious with her.”
I shake my head, but her words stick with me. I wonder if she’s right. This afternoon with Ryker felt like a lot more than just two friends who hook up sometimes.
It’s fun pretending to be yours, princess.
Just thinking about what he said sends tingles through my body. He was probably teasing me when he said that…but I wonder if there’s a part of him that meant it…if there’s a part of him that doesn’t want to pretend…if he wants to be mine for real…
I set the thought aside to obsess about later.
“Mom, you know I’ve been skittish about relationships ever since the way things ended with Sergei.”
She pats my hand. “I know that, darlin’. And I understand. Getting your heart broken can wreck you. I know that first hand.”
I squeeze her hand.
“But Madeline, you’re young. Too young to let one heartbreak make you jaded forever.”
I’m quiet for a moment. “I just don’t want to get hurt again.”
“No one does. But that’s love. It’s a risk. Sometimes it works out. Sometimes it doesn’t. But if it does work out, it’s worth it.”
When Ryker walks back in, Bruce wakes up from his nap on the other end of the couch, hops off, and scurries over to him. He meows at Ryker, then rubs his face on his ankles. Ryker smiles down at Bruce, then walks into the kitchen to grab him some treats.
Mom gently elbows me. “Bruce likes him. That’s a good sign.” She stands up. “I think it’s time for me to head out. I’ve taken up enough of y’all’s afternoon.”
I hug Mom and thank her for the biscuits. Ryker gives her a hug too, and I walk her out. When I close the door and turn to Ryker, he’s sitting on the couch with Bruce on his lap, purring loudly. My heart melts.
“I thought you weren’t a cat person,” I tease.
Ryker scratches under his chin. “This guy’s growing on me.”
I sit next to him on the couch and kiss him. “Thanks for being such a good sport about my Mom showing up unannounced. She does that sometimes.”
“Of course. She’s a really sweet lady. And a really good cook.”
“She liked you a lot.”
