Page 12 of Make Your Play

Emotion hits my chest and I swallow roughly as I glance out the window, directing my eyes away from his. Silence settlesaround us as I give myself a minute to get my shit together so I’m not a ball of tears in his front seat again. “Enchiladas.”

“Huh?” Nash asks as he glances over at me.

“I want enchiladas.”

He lets out a soft chuckle, shaking his head at me as he whips the car into the turning lane. “Well, I just so happen to know of a place that makes the best enchiladas.”

CHAPTER FIVE

NASH

Riley’s face lights up as the server brings an enormous plate of food and sets it in front of her on the table. She does a little dance in her seat, where she quickly rocks her body back and forth, and I can’t help but smile as I watch her. Her energy is contagious and it’s a stark contrast from the gloomy expression she was wearing earlier.

I know Riley has so much going on in her life right now and it’s hard to not let such heavy things weigh you down and poison the other parts of your life. I’m also not sure what happened today, but I have a feeling it wasn’t because she was tired. Knowing what I know now, I think it’s safe to say it was probably related to her health issues.

“Thank you,” I tell the man, nodding as he asks us if we need anything else. Riley smiles and shakes her head, thanking him after me. The man walks away, leaving the two of us alone again, and she wastes no time. “You skipped lunch, didn’t you?”

Riley lifts her head, chewing a mouthful of food before she swallows it down. “Oh my god, you were right, these are amazing.”

“I wouldn’t lie to you,” I admit, the seriousness in my tone as her eyes rest on mine. Her lips flatten, parting slightly as she blinks. To lighten the moment, I wink. “I know my enchiladas.”

“I trust you.” Her lips twitch. “When it comes to your opinion on the best food.”

Grabbing my glass of water, I shake my head, moving the rim to my lips to conceal my smile. In typical Riley fashion, she never misses a goddamn beat. “So, are you going to tell me what happened today?”

She levels her eyes on me, narrowing them slightly. “Food first and then we’ll talk.”

“Deal.”

***

Thirty minutes later, we’re both completely full and comfortable in our booth as Riley surprises me and starts to tell me about what happened earlier. She tells me about what happened at her shop while she was in the middle of making an arrangement and how this isn’t the first time she’s experienced it. She goes on to tell me how Nova called, so she listened to her body and had her pick her up.

I’m glad she listened to her body, but my mind takes a more serious turn, playing over the worst scenarios that could have happened. What could have happened if she did faint. If she passed out and hit her head. She was completely alone and lucky that Nova called when she did.

“I don’t think you should be alone, Riley.”

She cocks her head to the side. “Excuse me?”

“What happens when you experience this again and you pass out? What happens when you’re alone and you hit your head or your stomach?”

The color drains from her face and her body falls rigid as she sits up straighter in her seat. “I don’t need a babysitter, Nash. I’ve never passed out before.”

“That doesn’t mean you won’t,” I press. Dread fills my stomach at the thought and it leaves an uncomfortable feeling pricking my skin. “You’re not invincible, Riley. All it takes is one time and then what?”

There’s nothing warm or comforting about what I’m laying out for her to consider. Riley Harris is a strong, fierce, and independent woman. She’s stubborn and hardheaded and never asks for help from anyone. “I know this isn’t what you want, but you have to think of yourself and the baby.”

“Fuck,” she mumbles, the word barely audible as her shoulders sag. She lets out a sigh, her jaw tightening as she shakes her head. “Can life seriously stop fucking me? Or at least use some lube?”

“Come stay with me tonight.”

She lifts her head, her eyes flashing to mine as she widens them. “Absolutely not.”

“I’ll come stay with you then.”

“No way.”

“Riley…” My voice trails off as I dial back the frustration washing over me. “Can you stop being so goddamn hard headed? After the day you had, you shouldn’t be alone tonight.”

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