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“In Arizona. A small town near Phoenix. Avery goes to see them during school breaks. They spoil her all day long, undoing all my good work. Every time she returns, she’s back to default factory settings.”
Ryker laughed, helping himself to more wine. By the time we’d finished dessert, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to eat again.
“This was delicious, but too much,” I said.
“You still don’t look completely relaxed.”
I smiled, shrugging. “Sorry. I’m not sure I know how to completely let go. Haven’t done that in a while.”
“Leave it to me. I just have to up my game.”
“Oh, and how do you plan to do that?”
“No heads-up. It’s more fun if I show you. The evening isn’t over yet.”
“It’s not?”
My heart rate quickened. I leaned forward in anticipation. What else did this gorgeous man have in store for us? He was just full of surprises, wasn’t he? And I loved every single one of them. “Have you asked for permission for that?” I teased.
He nodded, surprising the heck out of me. “Avery and I have our secrets.”
“I can see that.”
“Spoke to her that night we were at the gala.”
Oh, shit. My eyes became misty. I glanced at my hands, trying to hide it. This man! He was getting under my skin. If he kept this up, he was going to stay there.
“I told you I’d take care of you. So I’ll have to prove it. And I will, starting tonight.”
“I thought you only asked permission for movie and dinner.”
“I did, but I have my tricks to get what I want. And I’m sure Avery will be on my team. Besides, your shoulders are still up to your ears. It’s my duty to make you relax.”
“Your duty? That doesn’t sound like fun.”
Ryker winked, leaning into me.
“My duty and my pleasure. How does that sound, Ms. Prescott?”
“Like something I can look forward to.”
“Right answer.”
Chapter Seventeen
Heather
I texted Natasha to ask if they’d already left Manhattan, but she replied that they’d gone back to the store after dinner.
Avery pouted when Ryker and I arrived, clearly wanting to stay longer. She was sitting on the same chair where she’d been when I’d left, only instead of a coloring book, she had fabrics in front of her.
“Mommy, look what I made.” She held up a red cloth covered in glitter.
Skye, Tess, and Natasha were leaning against the counter. There weren’t any gift bags left. Wow, they’d sorted all those? After my dinner with Ryker, I saw the sisters in a different light. They did look tired.
“Avery got bored of the coloring book,” Skye explained.
“So you sacrificed fabric instead?”
