Touch by Touch (Riggins Brothers #4) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,46

brothers. They weren’t either. I mean Royce was, then he wasn’t, but now he is again.”

“Apparently, she feels as though I was wrapped up in our circumstances.”

“Were you?”

“No. Yes. Yes, I was wrapped up in our circumstances, but not the way she thinks. I was wrapped up in her. I only want to be wrapped up in her. It was our circumstances that gave me the time to see that she’s special, but it’s not only our circumstances that have me feeling this way.”

“I feel like we're talking in riddles.” He laughs.

“I feel like I’m living in one. Seriously, Marsh, I need something to wow her. To show her I’m in this. That she’s who I want.” It’s painfully obvious that she needs more than words. I’ve never regretted the way I lived my life. I’ve owned my nights out and the random hook-ups, but it’s finally catching up with me. I need her to understand that she’s the only one for me. She’s all I see.

“Maybe you should take some time to think about it. She thinks your feelings were circumstantial. Take some time to see if she was right.”

“I hate to admit it, but you might be right.” I never thought I would be saying those words to my little brother. “I can’t just walk away, though.”

“Don’t. Be there. Hell, be everywhere. Let her see that you’re not resorting to your old Conrad ways, going out and never settling. In the meantime, maintain some distance. Let her see. What is it that they say? Actions speak louder than words.”

“I guess you’re right, but fuck me, it’s going to be hard to sit on the sidelines.”

“Not forever. Just long enough for her to see. And you won’t be on the sidelines per se. Think of it as being the back-up quarterback. You’re there to support the team, but you don’t get called into the game until the time is right.”

“There is never a right time for a back-up quarterback.”

He laughs. “You know what I mean. Stay close, send flowers, call her, text her, keep yourself in the front of her mind, but give her time to see you.”

“Who are you, and what have you done with my little brother?”

“Hey, I’m more than just a pretty face. I’ve watched my now four older brothers fall into the trap that is love. I’ve learned a thing or two along the way.”

“Right. You know you’re not fooling anyone, right? You’re probably the most soft-hearted out of all of us.”

“I resent that statement.” He laughs.

“Resembles is more like it.”

“Regardless, you know I’m right. Give her some time to see you. The real you. Not the one people think they know. Let her see Conrad Riggins. The brother, the son, the uncle, and one of the best guys I know.”

I swallow hard, taking in his words. “Did we just have a moment? I feel like we had a moment.” I tease him to lighten the heaviness of the conversation.

“Fuck off,” he says with a laugh. “Get your ass up and spot me.”

At exactly seven thirty, I’m walking through the doors of Warm Delights. There’s already a line, which I expected. That’s fine. I don’t mind. It gives me time to watch my girl in action. She’s great with the customers, and she always has a smile on her face. Her smile lights up the room. It always has. I was just too blind to see before now.

“Can I help you?” she asks as she finishes her last transaction. I don’t say anything, waiting for her to look up. “Oh.” She pats at her hair. “Conrad. How are you?”

“Better. How’s your day going?”

“I’m tired as hell. I should have stayed on my early to rise, early to sleep regimen while we were gone.”

“You have to give yourself a break now and then.”

“What can I get you?”

You. “What’s today’s special?”

“Cinnamon rolls.”

“Great. Give me a dozen. I might as well take some back to the office.” It’s not lost on me that Grant brought a box from Warm Delights almost daily since he met Aurora. Now with me trying to win over her sister, we’re all bound to gain a few pounds. I need to make sure I keep hitting the gym.

“Sure thing.” She busies herself, packaging my dozen cinnamon rolls while I busy myself watching her. “Here you go.” She slides the box across the counter, and I hand her my card. I make sure our fingers touch, and the way she pulls her arm back,