Page 246 of Love in Riverbend
Justin laughs. “If someone else is covering the cost, I could be talked into doing more. Right now, I’m pretty busy planning for spring.” He turns to Ricky. “That’s why Ricky is here.”
“It’s not for your carpentry skills?” I ask Ricky with all the sass I can muster.
“I can swing a hammer with the best of them,” he responds.
“That will be helpful with Parker and Stevens.”
Ricky flashes a thousand-watt grin. “My skills aren’t limited.”
“Hmm,” I say, turning to Devan. “Did you stock up on cider?”
“And cinnamon.”
My focus goes to Justin. “What are you two planning on doing while we have our girls’ night?”
Justin looks at Ricky, who lifts his eyebrows. “Guess we’re hanging out.”
“No,” Devan and I say together.
She lays her hand on Justin’s arm. “It’s hard to talk with others around.”
“Are you telling all your secrets?” Ricky asks.
“Only the most salacious,” Devan replies.
Justin taps Ricky’s shoulder. “We can go to my office and look over my plans for spring. I’d like your opinion.” He looks back at Devan. “And then we can head to Decoy Ducks. I’ll call some of the other guys. They’ll be happy to see Ricky.”
“That makes someone,” I mutter under my breath. I spot my overnight bag on the living room floor. “I’m going to take this upstairs. Then I’ll be back down.”
“It’s early for cider, but I’ll get us some lemonade,” Devan says.
I take one last look at the three of them in Devan’s kitchen before heading up the front staircase. With each step, I remind myself that Ricky walked away from me once and he could easily do it again.
There’s just that small part of me that wishes.
“Wishes are for children,” I mumble as I take the overnight bag into the bedroom Devan assigned. It was hers when she was younger, and despite the renovations, my mind is flooded with memories.
Stepping out of the room, I turn toward the kitchen staircase and run into a brick wall. Literally, run into… Ricky reaches out and grasps my arm, stopping me from falling on my ass. The vise grip of his hold reminds me how tight he held to my hips. Biting my lower lip, I look up, meeting his gaze.
Chapter 19
Ricky
“What are you doing?” Marilyn asks.
“I don’t like this. We’re here to come clean to our friends, so why are we lying to them?”
“Are we?” Her beautiful blue eyes glisten.
Even the thought of Marilyn crying is too much. Releasing her arm, I pull her to me, smashing her breasts against my chest as I move us into the room with Marilyn’s overnight bag on the floor and close the door. When she looks up, I see red splotches on her neck and cheeks.
“Talk to me.”
Marilyn’s nostrils flare. “I think it would be easier to admit that we’re not right for each other.”
“Easier?” I ask, my volume increasing. “What the fuck is easier about that?”
“I don’t want to be hurt, Ricky.” She pushes away from me and walks to the window. With her back turned, she continues talking. “During my drive down here, my thoughts were all stupid and unobtainable.” She spins toward me. “I’ve liked you since I was a kid.” She motions between us. “This isn’t real.”
