Page 64 of Snap

The woman who looked up from a desk in the corner of the kitchen, couldn't have been confused with anyone but Ollie's mother. She had the same blonde hair, the same bright blue eyes, the same face shape. And like him, she was absolutely stunning. She could easily model for any of the big-name designers or stores.

The smile she gave me was warm, like her home. I immediately liked her, and that never happened.

"You must be Rubie," she said. "Ollie has told me a lot about you. All of it good, of course. I'm River Tucker." She half rose and leaned forward to offer me her hand.

I took a couple of steps forward and shook her hand. "Rubie Thomas. It's nice to meet you. Ollie has told me a lot about you too."

"I recommend you believe about half of it." She sat back down again and grinned. "Ollie tends to exaggerate my awesomeness."

"Mum," Ollie groaned. "You’re every bit as awesome as I tell everyone."

River gestured towards him. "See?" She gave me a wink. "He's going to give me a big head."

"You have a long way to go before you have anything close to a big head," Ollie said. "Especially compared to the guys on the team."

"That's a pretty high yardstick," I pointed out.

There was nothing wrong with having a healthy ego. As long as people didn't behave like a douchecanoe.

River laughed. "I like this girl," she said approvingly. She focused her bright blue eyes on me. "So, have you come to ask permission to marry my son?"

My mouth dropped open. "I—" Was she serious?

I was halfway to thinking she was, when she burst out laughing. "I had you going there, didn't I?"

It took me a moment to get any words together.

"Yes. Just a little bit." The strange thing was, in that half minute I might actually have done exactly that. There were worse things in the world than marrying Ollie Tucker.

Ollie dropped his forehead and shook his head. "I'm sorry I think I forgot to mention how embarrassing she is."

"Yes, I probably shouldn't be out in the world unsupervised," River said lightly. "On the other hand, it prepared him to deal with… Well, the majority of the Rapids. They all seem to be a bunch of jokers."

"You're right about that," Ollie conceded. "Thank you for giving me the skills to deal with clowns like them."

"You're welcome," she said graciously. She turned to me and added, "He can also cook."

"That makes one of us," I said. That wasn't entirely true, I'd spent time with Dad's cook, when I was younger. I picked up a few tips and tricks. Enough to make a basic meal or two.

"Mum insisted," Ollie said.

"Indeed I did," River agreed. "No son of mine was going to miss out on important life skills like that. And picking up his own socks."

Ollie looked pained. "So, we were just leaving." He gave me a meaningful, pleading look.

"Yes," I agreed. "We were." I didn't hesitate to take his hand in front of his mother, and step towards the door.

River smiled softly. She was obviously happy her son was happy.

The whole thing felt like a more normal interaction than any conversation I ever had with my father. Okay, maybe that wasn't fair, but they were both authentic people. I was so used to fake people, that this felt… Right. Comfortable.

"I think she likes you." Ollie squeezed my hand.

"I like her too," I said. "She seems sweet. But sassy too."

"Like you," he said.

I snorted. "I don't think anyone has called me sweet before."

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