Page 58 of Rating the Book Boyfriend

CHAPTER 17

Libby

Friday evening, I pull out the to-go containers and warm up some dinner. Yesterday was the first time I’d met Sonya’s family, but by the time I left, I felt like I was part of it. They were funny, loud, and the most genuine people I’d ever met.

And holy cow! The food was delicious. I’m sure I put on at least five pounds during the Thanksgiving lunch.

I’m rinsing my plate when I hear a knock at the door. I swear, if that’s Sonya trying to give me that damn sweet potato pie again…

I swing open the door and almost drop my teeth. It’s definitely not Sonya with a pie.

“Riggs, uh, hi. Happy belated Thanksgiving.”

He’s dressed in a baby-blue sweater, faded jeans, and a brown bomber jacket. He looks damn fine, though his hair is disheveled, like he’s been running his hands through it. It only adds to his deliciousness.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Libby. You look… wow… you look beautiful.”

My blood warms as he runs his gaze up and down my fitted orange tee and yellow sweatpants.

“Uh, thanks. You look pretty dashing yourself.”

He shifts from foot to foot and finally asks, “Do you mind if I come in?”

“Oh, crap. Sure. I’m sorry. I was just surprised to see you.”

Riggs strides in and crosses the room before staring at the wall for a few long seconds as I close the door. Then he begins to pace restlessly back and forth, one hand sliding through the top of his hair. He appears quite agitated.

“Riggs, are you okay?”

“Lucinda and I broke up yesterday,” he blurts.

My heart does an odd little flip-flop in my chest. “I’m so sorry. I know how much you love her.”

He stops walking and stares at me. “What makes you say that?”

Shit, why is he frowning?“It was obvious. You worked so hard to make her happy.”

His eyes clench closed, and he shakes his head. “No, I don’t love Lucinda. I never loved her. It was about my Nana Viv.”

I’m trying to decipher what the hell he’s talking about. “You’re in love with your grandmother?” My voice sounds kinda squeaky.

Riggs’s mouth drops open for a second, and then he bursts into laughter. “Liberty Hill, you always know how to make me smile. But no, I definitely don’t love my grandmother. Well, I do, but not likethat.”

“I’m confused. Maybe you can explain.”

And he does. He tells me the whole crazy story where he was only staying with Lucinda because his grandmother is sick and he thought it would make her happy. Meanwhile, Nana knew almost the entire time that Lucinda wasn't right for her grandson. She was just waiting for him to realize it.

“Your nana is right about Lucinda not being right for you,” I say without thinking and then wince. “Sorry, that’s not my place to say.”

Riggs shakes his head. “No, I want to hear what you think.”

“It’s just, um, Lucinda doesn’t seem very down-to-earth, and you’re the sweetest, most normal guy I’ve ever met, despite being a bazillionaire.”

His lips twitch. “Actually, I’m only a millionaire.”

“Well, bless your heart,” I tell him in my best Texas drawl.

He chuckles, and then his face turns solemn as his blue eyes hold me captive. “Do you feel it, Liberty?”

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