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“Benjamuffin?” Casey’s face turned sour.
What’s with the Benjamuffin? “He’s definitely cute.” A tight smile crossed Riley’s face. Piper’s gushing about Ben was stoking that pang in her chest again. She squinted into the fountain. “When are you going out again?”
“Oh, we’re not. Ben’s not into me, and you know—vice versa.”
“What?” Riley’s jaw relaxed. “Why?”
“Knew it.” Casey nodded. “Piper plus puppets equals total boner killer—”
“It has nothing to do with my puppets. We had zero spark. There was no flirting, no kiss good-bye or hug. I dunno, maybe he’s asexual? Or a germophobe?” She gave Casey side-eye. “It was like he was channeling you, C-3PO.”
“Steady on!”
“He’s totally yum, but he just doesn’t do it for me,” Piper sighed. “Unlike a certain woman with a gorgeous wild Afro…”
Riley leaned forward. “That girl at Peet’s?”
Piper’s face lit up. “Yeah! She always does a cool design in my latte. Remember the cat, Casey?”
He nodded. “Well, do the opposite of what I’d do then.”
“What? Buy a regular coffee?”
“No. Ask her out.” Casey was dead serious.
“I think she goes to Tisch,” said Riley. “I overheard her say she’s a dance major.”
“Ooh, bendy, Pip.” Casey raised an eyebrow. “Bet she’s into Twister bedsheets.”
Piper nodded. “A girl’s gotta have some fun.”
“Amen to that.” Riley woke up her phone—still no messages from Maggie.
“The same could be said for the future Mrs. King.” Casey elbowed Riley. “Before you vanish into the backwoods of Minnesota as Josh’s child bride, apparently…”
Her heart dipped like a lead balloon. Minnesota. She lowered her phone to her lap. “Aw, Case, I was going to tell you—”
“Hey, it’s okay, really, I’m just winding you up. You’ve been busy. I didn’t mind hearing it from Pip.” Casey protectively wrapped his arm over Riley’s shoulder. “What you’re doing for your mom is…” He took in a deep breath. “I just wish you didn’t have to marry Josh to do it.”
A sour taste rose in Riley’s throat.
“It’s a shame you won’t be living the west coast life with Pip Pip Hooray here…” Casey squeezed Riley’s shoulder and let go. “You know, it’s not too late to bail.”
“Guys—”
“Just…think about it,” said Casey. “Josh will be off, pretending to be the new Grootzky—”
“It’s Gretzky.”
“Whatever.” Casey huffed. “Josh will be leaving you alone in the middle of nowheresville with only deer and pine cones to keep you company. What do they do for fun out there? Do they even have THX in their movie theaters?”
“Saint Paul is a city, Case—Minnesota’s capital.” Riley briefly closed her eyes. “Look, I know you guys think this is some submissive move, but I’m not in the back seat. I’m the one driving this thing, being proactive about helping Mom. I’m not a victim. This is my choice.”
Shaking his head, Casey reached for his coffee. “But do you have to marry him—”
“I do!” Her sharp tone drew stares from two stroller-pushing nannies. A tightness squeezed her chest. Lower your voice, Riley. “Things…things are so much worse…”
Casey paused mid-sip. “Worse? How?”
