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“You just told me you don’t have time.” Now those hazel eyes narrow, and he looks irritated. “Polly, if you’ve decided that?—”
“Stop.” I shake my head and push my fingers through my hair in agitation. “Don’t even finish that thought because it’s not true. I haven’t changed my mind about you, and I won’t have you say those words out loud. I know I messed up this week, and you didn’t deserve that, but that bitch basically tried to make me go out of business. Even if that wasn’t her real intent, that’s the way it would have gone if she’d stayed in charge another day. You understand business. So, rest assured, I’ll get online today and order a new phone. It’ll be here tomorrow.”
“So, what’s wrong with me having it delivered to you today? I can take that off of your plate, Polly.”
“I can do this,” I insist and hear the stubbornness in my own voice. “I can handle it. But I do need to thank you for the kitchen.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Yes, I do. Thank you for the kitchen. I’ve barely been home long enough to look at it, but it’s seriously beautiful, and I probably don’t deserve it.”
“Of course, you deserve it. I’m glad you like it. Did you get everything unpacked from the trip?”
“Only the bare necessities from my luggage.” I sigh and feel close to tears yet again and make myself rein it in. What is with all the waterworks lately? “I think between the jet lag and coming into what I did here at the shop, I’ve just been too tired. I got home last night around ten and immediately went to sleep, and then I was up and back at it at seven this morning. How about you? Are you all caught up on work?”
“Not even close.” He smiles now, and I feel some of the tension between us melt away. “But since I haven’t been able to reach you, I decided to come find you and make sure you were okay.”
“I’m sorry.” I return to him and hug him once more, practically clinging to him. “I really am. I’m not ghosting you or anything. I’m just getting a grip on some stuff. But Jake’s game is tonight, and I’m absolutely going to that.”
“I’ll save you a seat in the Wild section,” he says before kissing the top of my head. “Right next to me.”
“That sounds like a fun section.”
“It’s the best, complete with grandparents, kids with missing teeth, and a bunch of men who will yell at the coaches and the refs a whole bunch.”
“That’s my kind of party. Thanks. I’ll be there.”
“I can’t wait.” He kisses me, his hands framing my face, and I give myself over to him, enjoying the way he feels. God, I’ve missed him even more than I realized.
Suddenly, the bell dings over the door.
“Well, maybe I should come back.”
“Hi, Mom,” I say without looking away from Ryan. She said she’d be stopping by first thing to shop for some dresses. “Come on in.”
“I was just about to go,” Ryan says as he backs away and then smiles over at my mom. “It’s always good to see you, Mrs. Allen.”
“Hello, Ryan. How are you and your sweet boy doing?”
“We’re great, thank you. Mac mentioned that he took Jake over to your house for dinner one night while we were gone.”
“I just love that kiddo,” Mom says with a warm smile. “He’s welcome at our home anytime. I hope that next time you’ll come with him.”
“I’d like that.”
Am I wrong, or did my mom just invite my boyfriend over for dinner?
“Let’s make it for next Sunday,” Mom continues, and I can’t help but smirk. Yep, that’s my mom for you.
“I think that works for us,” Ryan agrees. “Thanks for the invitation. What can we bring?”
“Just yourselves. How does pot roast sound?”
“Like my favorite. I’ll see you then.” He smiles down at me now. “Don’t work too hard today, babe. I’ll see you later.”
He brushes his fingertips down my jawline, and then he’s off, and my mom sighs after him.
“I’ve always liked Ryan,” she says. “It would be great if he was an official member of the family.”
