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It was a little past noon when I stopped by the grocery store to grab some more coffee since I was almost out at home. Riley pulled out of the parking lot with her girls as I entered it. She and I made brief eye contact, causing adrenaline to surge through my body and making my heart race.
Once I’d parked and got out of my truck, I glanced around to be sure Riley was gone. She was, so I went inside the store, straight to the coffee aisle. When I saw the empty shelf where my preferred coffee usually was, I threw my arms into the air, exasperated. I was too late for this, as well. Fuck!
After grabbing a substitute box of K-Cups and paying for them, I headed home. As soon as I crossed over the bayou, though, I made a U-turn and began driving to the Martin’s house to see if Riley was there. I had to know if she was marrying Chad.
When I arrived, I saw her silver Camaro and Macie and Rachel’s cars parked in the driveway. Walking toward the front porch, my chest tightened from thinking how badly this confrontation could go. If it did, then it did. At least I’d have my answer about Riley and Chad.
After ringing the doorbell, I saw Mr. Martin coming down the entry hall.
“Hello, Rhys,” he said after opening the door. Then he held out his hand to shake mine.
“Hello, sir.”
“How’ve you been doing?”
“Okay. Yourself?”
“I’m good.”
“I probably shouldn’t have come here, but I need to talk to Riley.”
“Give me just a minute, and I’ll get her for you.”
“Thank you.”
While waiting, I stepped to the edge of the porch and stared at the walkway where Riley and I had stood and talked that Friday night in June after dancing together at Cheers and Beers. The night we agreed to be friends again.
I heard the front door open and turned around. Riley had her emerald eyes on me.
“I’m sorry, but I had to come here,” I said.
She stepped outside on the porch and closed the door behind her. “Why did you, Rhys?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“I saw you and the girls going to Blossom’s Florist earlier. Are you marrying Chad after all?”
She let out a bitter laugh.
“Riley, answer me. I’ve got to know.”
“Why?”
“I just do.”
“So you can say you were right about me fucking around with Chad behind your back?”
“Are you marrying that son of a bitch or not?”
“Go to hell, Rhys! Just go to hell!” Riley screamed, her eyes tearing up.
The front door opened, and Macie and Rachel stepped onto the porch as Riley ran past them back into the house.
“Rhys Silverman, you’ve lost your damn mind,” Macie said, coming up to me.
I pointed in Riley’s direction. “Is she marrying Chad? Is that why y’all went to Blossom’s Florist today?”
