Which sounded as if she’d been the one to call off her engagement. What had the guy done? Or had Riley just realized she was making a mistake? Just as he’d realized when he’d called off his own wedding?
“A couple doesn’t have to marry to have a committed relationship.”
“True.” Her face pinkened. “And I don’t mean to imply that you’re even thinking in those terms. But, since you say you want to date me, it’s only right to tell you that we wouldn’t be headed in that direction. I’m not a get-married-and-have-kids kind of girl.”
Justin did want a committed relationship with Riley. Maybe he’d want marriage to her someday, too. But the fact that she didn’t want marriage wasn’t a game-changer at this point in their relationship.
“What do you mean about kids?”
“I don’t plan to have children.”
“That’s a shame.”
“Because?”
“Because you were wonderful with the boys.”
“I... Thank you. But that doesn’t mean I should procreate.”
“Procreating can be fun.” He waggled his brows, trying to lighten the conversation, trying not to let his mind fall into a dark place where Riley was saying she didn’t want kids. “Besides, there are other ways to have kids besides procreation.”
“Such as volunteering with your Wilderness Group,” she agreed. “Bringing more children into the world doesn’t make sense when there are so many who need love.”
Which Justin sort of agreed with.
“It feels weird to even be saying these things to you, but I just thought you should know how I felt—that, regardless of what happens between us, either of us can walk away at any time.”
Since she was adamant that she didn’t want the same things he did, perhaps Justin should walk away now. Not that he believed he could.
“Okay,” he said slowly, trying to process the full implications of what she was saying. “I appreciate you telling me how you feel.”
Too bad Ashley hadn’t, or they’d never have gotten so close to walking down the aisle. At least with Riley he knew upfront that she could never be the one.
* * *
Unable to resist, Riley tore off the corner of a pizza slice from the box she’d stored in her fridge earlier.
Mmm. That was amazing, even cold.
Justin had made an effort to get her what he’d thought would make her happy. Because he wanted her happy. Which seemed unbelievable, really.
Just as the fact that he was in her shower right now was unbelievable.
Had someone tried to convince her earlier that week that he’d be in her bathroom, naked, with her water sluicing over his buff body, she’d have laughed.
Justin was in her bathroom naked!
Chewing her pizza, Riley leaned forward and pressed her head against the refrigerator. What was she doing?
You’re having a great day, her inner voice reminded her. A wonderful day with a wonderful man who brought you low-carb pizza.
That alone should buy him major brownie points. That and all the other thoughtful things he did. For her and others.
But she shouldn’t have him here—shouldn’t be wondering what he’d say if she walked into her bedroom and got into the shower with him?
“What am I doing?” she asked out loud, causing Daisy to look up from where she waited in hopes that Riley would drop some pizza crumbs.
“You talking to Daisy?”