time.” The smile he gives me is dazzling and makes the butterflies in my stomach take flight.
When the food comes, Rider scoots out of the booth and comes over to take the baby. “So you can eat without my gremlin trying to devour your hair.” He gives me a wink.
My smile grows as I dive into my waffles while I watch Daddy Kingston feed his daughter.
“Come on, munchkin. Let’s try to get more food in you than on you this time.”
I pause with my fork halfway to my mouth, entranced. His t-shirt fits snug across his wide shoulders. Those big biceps flex as he holds Poppy in one arm while maneuvering that tiny spoon in the other.
Oh, yeah. This is better than porn.
A few minutes later, the waitress brings over a highchair, and we get Poppy settled in and finish eating.
When we’re done, he motions toward my plate. “Are you doing better with your hypoglycemia?”
I pause. We’ve never discussed the details of what happened last May, but he must have overheard me talking to the paramedics that day. “Is that why you always try to feed me? First the pizza and now waffles.”
He gives me a sheepish smile. “I don’t know. Maybe. Is that wrong?”
“No, it’s sweet. But I’m doing better. I haven’t had any episodes since the night we found Poppy. That was the last time I felt dizzy. I went too long without eating. It was an accident, really.”
“What happened?”
“A bad date.”
“That dick Jason didn’t feed you?”
I laugh at Rider’s intensity. “Jason’s idea of dinner was nachos from that gas station, which I passed on. That’s how I ended up light-headed later. But unless you’re planning on taking me on a bad date, we should be good.”
Rider gives me a wolfish grin. “I plan on doing a lot of things with you. Bad dates aren’t one of them.”
My lady parts stand up and cheer, and I feel my face heat. “I’ve been meaning to ask why you didn’t like him.”
“Aside from him taking you out?”
I fight a smile. “Yes. Aside from that.”
“I had a friend he cheated on last year, so I knew he was bad news.”
Nodding slowly, I bite back the question I really want to ask, but he gives me a look.
“What?”
If we’re doing this for real, I guess I have a right to know. “Have you ever cheated on anyone?”
He doesn’t hesitate. “No, never. You have to be in a relationship to cheat.”
“So… you’ve just had casual… situations in the past?”
“Pretty much. Yeah.” Pausing, he looks me over, his eyes warm. “Which is night and day from what we’re doing, in case you’re worried.” He seems at a loss for words for a minute. “I don’t know how to explain it, but you’re different. Maybe it’s because I consider you a friend too.”
My mother always said she fell in love with her best friend. My heart gives a little kick at the thought.
He leans forward, and I feel his hand on my thigh under the table. “I’m glad we’re doing this, Gabby. I like hanging out with you.” Those lips tilt up, and he whispers, “That’s not the only thing I enjoy doing with you.”
My imagination runs rampant when I consider what I’d like to do to him. And, fine, it’s not a declaration of love, but for a guy who only does casual, he’s surprisingly forthcoming.
I don’t know how I deluded myself into thinking I could only spend one night with him.
Rider and I agreed to keep things low-key during the season, but no one said anything about feelings.
And I already have too many to count.
41
RIDER
When the professor drops the essay on my desk, I groan at the grade. Even when I try my hardest, I’m lucky if I get a C, and trying to type an essay while I bounce a fussy Poppy on my knee is almost impossible.
I really need to learn to type with more than two fingers.
The girl next to me, Waverly, grabs my elbow. “I can proof your next essay if you want.” She bats her extra-long lashes at me.
Suddenly uncomfortable, I glance down at the hand that’s still resting on my arm. “I’m good, but thanks.”
I’m not a pro at serious relationships, so I’m unclear whether it’s okay to allow random touches like this. Like, can I hug friends who are girls?
I guess that’s what Gabby and I are doing, right? A “serious” relationship. I hadn’t meant to dive into a full-fledged anything with anyone, especially right now