Know Me Well (Wishful 3)

“Good.” He pulled her in for a quick and entirely unsatisfying kiss. “I’m gonna run over to see Tyler and pick up flooring samples for y’all to think about. Maybe grab a paint fan too. Then I’ve got a few other things to see about, but after work, I’m taking you out to celebrate.”

“What are we celebrating?” Liam was not the two week-i-versary type.

“The fact that repairs can finally proceed. And the rest is a surprise.”

Riley lifted a brow. “A surprise, huh?”

“So suspicious.” He grinned. “Just be ready to go by seven. And wear that little black dress. I have a particular fondness for that one.”

She saluted him. “Yes, sir.”

“You’re so cute when you try to be official.” Liam kissed her again, lingering this time in a way that had her way more curious about his surprise than she had been. “See you tonight.”

He sauntered out the door, a spring in his step.

Jessie leaned against the counter and propped her chin on her fist. “You know, I hate the reason he’s in here all the time right now, but I do love having the eye candy.”

Riley smiled and resisted the urge to touch her lips. “He is pretty exceptional eye candy, isn’t he?”

“I wouldn’t kick that one outta my bed for eating potato chips.”

“Ruby!” Riley laughed.

“What? I may have thirty years on him, but I’m not dead.”

“You two were looking mighty cozy the Fourth of July fireworks,” Jessie noted with an eyebrow waggle.

That wasn’t anywhere near as cozy as they’d been after the fireworks. Not content with second base, they’d ambitiously headed for third. And if they’d only had a bed…

“Earth to Riley.”

She jerked her attention back to Jessie to find the other girl smirking in a way that let her know she’d mentally wandered off for a while.

“I’m just gonna assume by the dopey grin on your face that you two made your own finale.”

An image of those broad hands on her bare skin had Riley’s face burning hot.

Ruby’s teeth flashed white. “Good for you, sugar. You need a little loosenin’ up.”

Riley glared at both of them. “Back to work, both of you. My love life is not up for discussion.”

“You keep thinkin’ that, honey.” Ruby patted her arm.

The bell jangled and Tara Honeycutt walked in with her brother and sister. She went brows up as she took in the water damage and rearranged shelving.

“Wow. I’d heard you had a flood but this is…”

“Yeah. It’s bad. But the good news is we’re dry enough to finally start repairs, so hopefully all will be back to normal in fairly short order,” Riley told her. Liam was a man of his word. If he said it would be so, it would be so.

Tara spoke a few soft words to her siblings. Judging from Austin’s hunched shoulders and baleful expression, it was something along the lines of “Don’t touch anything,” but he took his sister over to the candy display.

“What can I do for you today?”

They both looked around as the door opened again and Autumn walked in. She waved at Riley and headed toward the haircare products.

“How’s the tea tree oil working out for you?”

“Really well.” Tara paused. “I’ve still got your instructions tacked to the fridge.”