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“And after that?”
I leaned closer to Riley. “Be each other’s dessert.”
“My mouth is watering from thinking about it.”
“So is mine.”
“Does all this mean you’re spending the night with me?”
“Yep.”
“Good.”
“I’ll see you soon, mia bella.”
I unlocked her front door, stepped inside her home, and remained in place to take in the feeling of being here. It was peaceful and smelled inviting. Then, I noticed a Yankee candle sitting on the entry hall table near me.
Riley had always been a fan of them, buying seasonal scents during the year. The one she had now was named “Picnic in the Park,” which made me think about the picnics that Riley and I used to go on. I wondered if that was why she’d chosen this particular candle. She and I had been holding onto the littlest things that reminded us of each other.
I walked down the entry hall and smiled when I rounded the corner and saw the open living room, kitchen, and dining room. Their layout was identical to mine, and Riley’s decorative touch was everywhere I looked.
She had framed paintings, prints, and pictures of her family and Macie on her white walls. She also had a navy blue overstuffed couch with a crocheted daisy blanket draped over one of its arms, bright yellow cushions on her wooden dining room chairs, and a matching runner on the table with the bouquet of daisies I’d given to Riley placed on it.
In her kitchen, a large, pastel green rug lay in the center of the tile floor. The canisters on Riley’s granite counter were yellow, and the curtain hanging around the window above the sink was daisy-print against a navy blue background. Another “Picnic in The Park” candle was next to the Keurig coffee maker. It looked and smelled like summertime all around me.
Thirsty, I grabbed a Dr. Pepper out of Riley’s refrigerator and sipped on it while checking out the rest of her duplex. When I reached her bedroom, I walked over to her queen-size bed and looked at the celestial-themed comforter and pillows while thinking about Chad having recently slept here. Everything inside me told me he’d lied to Riley about not doing it. One thing for sure after today was that Chad would never be back in Riley’s bed or anywhere inside her home.
Glancing around, I did a double take when I saw the star/galaxy projector I bought for Riley a few years ago sitting on her dresser. Like me, she loved to look up at the night sky, wonder, and dream. We’d done that so many times while lying on a blanket in the bed of my truck.
By getting Riley the projector, she could see the stars regardless of the time of day or the weather. I was happy to know she was still using it, and I hoped she’d thought of me on every occasion. I couldn’t look at the night sky without thinking of her.
I peeked into her main bathroom and grinned when I saw a picture of me taped to the mirror. It was the selfie that I texted to Riley the other day. I couldn’t believe she’d printed it because I was covered in sweat.
Curious, I walked into her bathroom and looked at all the items sitting on her vanity: a white hand towel, a pink toothbrush and tube of Crest toothpaste in a ceramic holder, CeraVe lotion, Dove powder-scent deodorant, a tube of lipstick, and the bottle of Love Story perfume I’d given to Riley. It was almost empty.
Also on the vanity was another Yankee candle, but it was called “Stargazing.” I picked it up and took a whiff, recognizing the scent of vanilla, lavender, and patchouli. I could imagine Riley lighting the candle and its aroma filling her bathroom and bedroom while she lay in bed and gazed up at the stars on her ceiling.
With two hours left before she got home from work, I needed to start replacing her locks. Her lawn also needed to be mowed since she had been gone for over a week. I was washing the grass and dirt off her push-mower in the backyard when I heard her voice behind me.
“Rhys Michael Silverman! You did not mow my front and back yards!” she said, smiling with her arms crossed over her chest.
“I needed to burn up some time until you got here, so yes, I was both your locksmith and lawn man today.”
She walked over and gave me a kiss. “Thank you. You’re spoiling me.”
“I enjoy doing it.”
“Your face is so red, though. I’m getting you a big glass of ice water before you pass out.”
“Okay.”
“Be right back.”
When she’d made it a few yards away, I sprayed her with the water hose. She squealed and took off, running for the door and laughing like I was. After she returned, I asked her where she wanted to eat.
“Razzoo’s, if you don’t mind.”
“Not a bit. Some Cajun food sounds great! I need to grab a quick shower first.”
