Chapter 6 Riley
SIX
RILEY
I’m going to amputate my leg.
Every five seconds, my knee bumps into August’s knee. We knock into each other whenever we move and awkwardly say sorry each time. And each time we touch, my body jolts. Touching him is electrifying.
I’ve never said sorry to a man this many times in my life.
The table is spacious enough to fit all six of us, but the two of us are daddy longlegs, so we’re going to keep knocking knees. To distract myself, I take a swig from my wine.
“We’re putting together the costs for all the furniture,” Ellie tells us.
“The color palette is gonna be like a cream white, powder blue, maybe a sage green on some walls. We finished painting the shop, but that’s the main color.
If we want to add some color, we’ll just paint over it.
Then the furniture will be a mix-and-match.
Powder blue booths paired with a square wooden table and chair.
And each table will have a small glass vase with fresh, tiny flowers. ”
After Ellie took part in The Taste of Dove Point, we could never have imagined it would get so much attention.
Months after the event, people in town would go to her and ask if she was opening a bakery, and once she convinced herself that it was what she wanted, she asked me to be the co-owner—which of course I accepted after I finished crying with happiness.
Then we announced that our bakery, Honey Cakes, is coming to our small town.
There’s been non-stop talk and excitement about it. That caused a tiny freak-out session when she started receiving emails and calls from esteemed colleagues and culinary chefs that she’s worked with.
It took our entire friend group to calm her down. The only person to succeed in that was Hailey when she gave Ellie a shot of tequila.
“Riley’s in charge of finding the decor,” Ellie says. “She’s better at that than I am.”
“Of course, I said yes because at the end of the day, I’m shopping. I don’t think of it as a job. Honestly, if I didn’t go to school for accounting, then I’d probably have gone for interior design or something.”
It doesn’t take a lot for me to know August is looking at me. I’m focusing on controlling all my willpower not to glance back.
Our knees brush again, and my body flinches at the touch. At this point, I don’t know if he’s doing this on purpose. My stomach flutters at the thought of him needing to touch me.
“Are you gonna work at your dad’s dentist office when Honey Cakes opens?” Rowan asks.
I shake my head and set down my glass. “I actually don’t work there anymore.”
“Oh? How did he take it?” Mrs. Thompson asks.
My palms become clammy, and I rub them against my jeans. Dad is more understanding than Mom, but I don’t like to disappoint him either.
“I think he knew it was coming. It wasn’t a big conversation. He’s always so busy so it was a quick conversation over the phone.”
It’s not so much upsetting him as it is dealing with the fear of my making the right decision. Taking the right path and not regretting it. Right now, it’s safe. I’m in my comfort bubble, and I know I should pop that bubble.
“I’m sure your dad understood.” Ellie places her hands under her chin and smiles. “It’s something that could change your life. It’s new and exciting. And best of all, you get to see your bestie every day.”
“I know your dad isn’t the most… outgoing person.” Mrs. Thompson pauses. “But he’s your dad. I’m sure he would love nothing more than for you to be happy.”
She’s not wrong. Dad is more of an introverted person compared to Mom, who loves attention. I think that’s why they clashed so much. He wasn’t giving her what she wanted out of their marriage. She was trying to change the person he was to benefit herself.
That doesn’t make him a bad Dad. He made sure to be there for us and take Hailey and me out on the boat or to our grandparents’ house. Do I wish that sometimes he would’ve put Mom in her place and told her to stop being so hard on my sister and me? Of course.
I’ve never asked him why he never said anything to her. I didn’t want to cause more trouble between him and Mom.
“It’ll be fine.” I wave them off, desperately wanting to change the subject. “Rowan, have you seen your dad lately?” I take another drink from my—almost—empty wine glass.
Rowan nods. “Yeah, I saw him a couple weeks ago for his birthday.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Did Addie see him?” Mrs. Thompson asks.
Rowan frowns. “She didn’t. She’s still accepting that he wants to be part of our lives again.”
My attention is drawn from the conversation when I notice August is trying very hard not to manspread. He keeps fidgeting in his seat like a kid who needs to use the bathroom.
“Are you okay?” I whisper.
He glances at me, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
I drop my eyes down to where his legs are, then back at him.
“I’m good,” he says.
I jump back into the conversation. Rowan’s talking about him meeting his famous stepbrother, Theo Grant, and how humble he is.
Celebrities, they’re just like us!
Rowan’s still processing the fact that his dad is back in his life for good. Addie wasn’t too thrilled with the idea, seeing as he left them behind and started a new life. It’s a sore subject for her.
“My dad is respecting Addie’s space, and I can only do so much until she needs to handle it herself.” Rowan drapes an arm over the back of Ellie’s chair, his thumb stroking her bare shoulder.
“I think she’ll come around soon.” Ellie grabs his hand, giving it a peck.
Two servers come to our table; their trays filled with our large plates. I’ve only eaten a bagel today, so I’m about ready to eat my own arm. The servers set the plates down, and steam rises from mashed potatoes, steak, pasta, and bright vegetables.
“Yours will be out in just a moment,” the server says to me.
Typical.
I’ve already eaten an entire basket of bread.
“What did you get?” Ellie asks.
“A filet.” I grab my cloth napkin, placing it on my lap. “Go ahead and eat. Don’t wait for me.”
“Are you sure?” Mrs. Thompson asks.
I grin. “You're the birthday girl. If anything, you should be the one eating.”
Everyone’s silverware clinks against their plates, then continues to talk about their upcoming plans for the rest of the month.
I stretch the tight muscles in my neck from the stress I’ve been carrying lately. When I lean back in my chair and wait patiently for my food, my eyes roam over everyone else’s dishes.
After I reach August’s plate, I notice he hasn’t touched his silverware. He takes off his round glasses, examining the lenses. When he puts them back on, he places his hands in his lap and slowly tips back in his chair, looking around the room.
“Why aren’t you eating your food?” I ask. “It’s going to get cold.”
“I’ve decided to be a gentleman and wait for you to get your food.” He drums his fingers on his stomach.
“Why?”
He continues scanning the room. “I’m not in a rush to eat. Had a big lunch.”
“Interesting.” I eye his plate. “You’re full, yet you’ve ordered the ribeye that’s as big as your head?”
He smirks. “Leftovers.”
Just as I’m about to open my mouth to reply, I’m interrupted by the server when they place my food in front of me.
The fluffy mashed potatoes sit closely by the bright green asparagus. I’m almost drooling. I forgo whatever I was going to say to August and instead grab my fork and steak knife, eager to eat.
From the corner of my eye, I see August pick up his own fork and knife. While I focus on cutting my steak, I bite back a grin from his kind gesture.
That small act of kindness toward me makes my heart beat a bit faster.
And I don’t like it.