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The front door opened, and Hunter and Josie came in, as well as Cole carrying bags.
“You’re saving my life,” I told him. He placed the food on the counter.
“Dig in. I was hungry, so I bought half the store.”
“Atta boy,” Skye exclaimed, rubbing her stomach.
We all reached for the food so fast, one would think we hadn’t eaten in three days. I wolfed down a ham and cheese sandwich before downing a coffee.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Skye pout. There went her strategy of keeping me away from caffeine so I was an easier prey for their questioning.
“Did I miss anything last evening?” Josie asked.
“Business as usual. The donation spreadsheets aren’t done, but I think we’ve reached our usual target,” Skye said.
“Oh, and Ryker here finally scored a date with Heather,” Tess said.
Cole laughed, patting my shoulder.
“All our praising helped, right?” Skye asked.
“Yes, it did,” I admitted.
“Wait!” Josie exclaimed. “What’s that about Ryker going on a date? Who’s Heather?”
I looked at my sisters. “Want to fill her in?”
“Of course. I volunteer,” Tess said, and summed up everything in a few sentences.
“Well, well, the flirt has finally met his match,” Josie said afterward.
Cole shook his head. “I’m gonna be the only bachelor in the family before long, I just know it.” He sounded so dejected that we all burst out laughing.
After we finished breakfast, Tess told us the game plan while we drank a glass of Dom Perignon, celebrating the opening.
Then I moved the couch with the guys before helping Skye carry some light but huge boxes into the back. After setting down the last one, Skye abruptly said, “Ryker, you’re being careful with Heather, right?”
Okay... I hadn’t expected that. My sister was biting her lip with worry.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s just that I know you don’t take relationships seriously.”
I could hardly say anything in my defense.
“It’s all fun and good... but there’s also a little girl involved. Don’t... get her hopes up. Or if you do, don’t disappoint her.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
I knew exactly how it felt to be disappointed by a parent, and so did Skye, hence her warning.
Skye closed her eyes. “You’re right, you wouldn’t. I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”
“Skye, are you okay?”
“Yes, just exhausted. I think that tends to make me more emotional. Forgive me?”
“Sure.”
