Chapter 8RILEY
CHAPTER 8
RILEY
I toss and turn in bed, the soft rustling of the sheets mingling with the sound of the wind outside. The conversation with Ethan from earlier tonight keeps replaying in my head—his words, his tone, that sincerity I couldn’t ignore. I can still feel the weight of the moment, like something shifted between us, but I can’t tell if it’s a good shift or if I’ve just made things harder for myself.
I don’t know why he gets under my skin. It’s not like he’s doing anything wrong. Maybe that’s the problem—he’s trying too hard to be good, and it’s throwing me off.
I close my eyes, trying to drown out the thoughts, but they keep coming. What did he mean when he said I put up walls? Was he right? The thought makes my chest tighten, and I hate how much space he’s taking up in my head .
I don’t want to admit it, but I can’t help myself. Maybe I did judge him too soon. He’s a playboy, sure, but he’s also been trying—really trying—to fit in here. I’ve started seeing a different side of him since that first interaction. And maybe that was just me being rude, refusing to give someone a chance.
It’s strange. I’ve spent all this time thinking of him as just another flashy city guy who would never understand the quiet life here, who’d only stay until the next big opportunity called him back. But lately? I don’t know… he’s been different. Since he arrived, he hasn’t been involved in any scandal. No flashy headlines, no drama—nothing that screams “look at me” like I thought he would. Maybe he’s not as bad as I thought.
I roll onto my back, staring up at the ceiling. It doesn’t make sense. All this time avoiding him, trying to keep him at arm’s length… It’s like I was the one keeping the wall up, not him.
“Get it together, Riley,” I mutter to myself. This is ridiculous.
But then I can’t help but think about how he smiled at me on the porch. How he seemed to listen, really listen to what I said, how he remembered my love of my mother’s garden. How, for a second, I felt like we weren’t just strangers or neighbors—like we were… I don’t know, something more.
I kept my distance because it felt safer. But now… now I’m not so sure. Maybe I’ve been wrong about him. The idea unsettles me more th an it should.
The attraction’s been growing, and I can’t deny it anymore. I feel it when he looks at me, when he talks to me, even when he teases me. He’s charming and confident in a way that’s hard to ignore, but it’s more than that. There’s a sincerity underneath it all.
But then reality comes crashing back in. Ethan might have a good heart, but he’s still a guy who’s been with more models than I can count and lived in a world where looks and status are everything. Would he even want someone like me?
I sit up in bed, tugging my knees to my chest. I’m nothing like the women he’s dated. I’ve seen the kind of women he’s dated. Polished, perfect, larger-than-life. I’m just me—a small-town hardware store owner with dirt under my nails and jeans that have seen better days. And maybe that’s enough. Or maybe it’s not. I don’t know.
Would he even notice someone like me?
I run a hand through my hair, frustrated with myself. I don’t know what I want from him—or this town, for that matter. But I do know one thing: I don’t want to let myself fall into something that will disappoint me in the end. Ethan’s world and mine couldn’t be more different. I know that.
But why does it feel like that difference is what makes him so hard to resist?
I shake my head, pushing the covers off and getting out of bed. I need to stop overthinking this before it drives me crazy. I’ve got enough on my plate already with the store, with Aunt Dotty, with my own life. The last thing I need is to be distracted by someone like Ethan .
So, I decide then—tomorrow, I’m back to avoiding him. I’ll just keep my distance. It’s simpler that way, isn’t it? He’s just a guy who moved into the house next door. He’s probably not here to stay. And even if he is, it doesn’t matter. I don’t need any distractions.
But as I stand by the window, looking out at the quiet streets of Bardstown, a small part of me wonders if avoiding him will really make things easier.
W hen I arrive at the park for the town charity event, I see Mia already talking to Aunt Dotty by the stage, a clipboard in hand and a massive grin on her face. The banners are up, the chairs are set, and everything looks way more organized than I expected.
I walk over slowly, pretending I’m too busy with the bags in my hands to get involved right away. But Mia spots me immediately.
“There you are!” she calls, practically skipping over. “We need you. I have no one else who can do it but you.”
I blink. “Do what?”
“Host the event!” Mia says, her excitement so high I can practically hear the exclamation points in her voice. “There’s no one else. We need you, Riley. You’re the best for this. Dotty agrees, too.”
I stare at her. “Me? Host?”
She nods vigorously. “Yes, of course. Who else?”
I’m still not convinced, but Mia’s already tugging me toward the stage. I mutter useless excuses she ignores as she drags me along.
As we reach the stage, I notice a group of people gathered near the front. I’m starting to feel a little less certain about this whole thing, but I’m too far in now to turn back. Mia, with her usual intensity, takes over with introductions.
Then, she gestures toward me, signaling that it’s time to speak. I step forward hesitantly, ready to do my part and get this over with. But just as I’m about to grab the mic, Mia pulls it away from me with a cheeky grin.
“Surprise!” she says, eyes sparkling. “You’re not doing this alone, Riley!”
I blink, taken off guard. “What? You said?—”
“Oh, I lied. Technically, you’re not alone,” Mia grins, dramatically pointing behind me.
I turn, and my stomach drops. There, standing as he belongs on a stage with a microphone in hand, is Ethan.
“Seriously? You’re impossible,” I say with a sigh.
Ethan grins at me, raising an eyebrow. “Looks like we’re in this together.”
“No, no, no,” I groan, hands on my hips. “Mia, you said I was hosting.”
“Well,” she says with a mischievous grin, “there’s no one else I could think of who’d be able to handle Ethan’s charm. ”
“I’m pretty sure I can handle it,” I snap back, but my heart’s already pounding, and I’m not sure whether it’s from irritation or something else. “Just let him do it on his own, then.”
“I can’t do it alone,” Ethan argues. “I’m still the new guy in town, I need your help!”
Mia’s eyes sparkle as she watches us. “This is going to be fun.”
I turn to Ethan, trying to hide my frustration. “So, I’m stuck with you?”
“Yep.” He’s annoyingly confident, practically leaning against the stage like he owns the place. “But don’t worry, I’ll make it easy for you.”
I can’t help it—a laugh slips out before I could stop it. “You’re ridiculous,” I say, shaking my head, but the warmth in his eyes makes it hard to stay annoyed.
But Ethan just shrugs, that obnoxiously handsome smile never leaving his face. “Hey, I didn’t ask for this either.”
“Great,” I say, sarcastic as ever. “A team made in heaven.”
Mia watches us, her grin stretching even wider. “Go on, you two. Let’s see what you’ve got. The crowd’s waiting!”
I open my mouth to argue, but Ethan steps forward, offering me his hand like he’s ready to make some grand speech.
“All right, partner,” he says with a wink. “Let’s give them a show.”
I stare at his hand, the one that’s so casually extended, and for a split second, I feel like everything’s spinning. What do I even do with this?
I hesitate, and then—against my better judgment—I take his hand.
As soon as my hand touches his, he pulls me up onto the stage, practically lifting me like I weigh nothing. I gasped, half laughing, half stunned. “What are you doing?”
“I’m making sure you don’t run away,” he says with that grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
I squirm, trying to get down, but Ethan’s having none of it. Before I know it, he’s lifted me onto his shoulders like I’m a sack of potatoes, and the crowd bursts into laughter.
“Ethan! What are you doing?” I can’t help the laugh that escapes, even as I swat at him to put me down.
“Welcome to the stage, Riley!” he calls out, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “This is what we call a grand entrance.”
I’m pretty sure I’m turning a shade of red that no one should be able to see from this height. “Put me down, you idiot!”
But Ethan laughs, ignoring me as he makes his way toward the microphone. “All right, everyone, give it up for my lovely assistant, Riley!”
The crowd laughs and cheers, and I can’t help but laugh, too—mostly because there’s nothing I can do about it.
This is not how I imagined this day going .
The crowd is still laughing as Ethan finally sets me down, a triumphant grin plastered on his face. I glare at him, brushing imaginary dust off my jeans, trying to recover whatever dignity I have left.
“Next time, maybe a little warning before you toss me over your shoulder?” I already know the grin tugging at my lips betrays my words.
Ethan just chuckles, leaning into the mic. “Ladies and gentlemen, the lovely Riley! She’s a little grumpy, but don’t let that fool you—she’s got a heart of gold.”
I roll my eyes, snatching the mic from him. “And Ethan here thinks he’s the town comedian,” I say, my voice steady even as the crowd laughs. “But let’s get back to why we’re actually here before his head gets any bigger.”
The crowd chuckles again, and Ethan looks at me with a smirk, clearly enjoying the banter.
I glance down at the clipboard Mia shoved into my hands earlier. “All right, folks,” I start, scanning the notes. “Today’s charity event is all about celebrating Bardstown’s finest culinary creations—specifically, pork!”
Ethan takes the second mic, stepping closer to my side. “That’s right! We’ve got some of the best home cooks in town ready to show off their skills. Each contestant has prepared a special pork dish for our judges to taste. Afterward, the rest will be sold to the highest bidders, with all proceeds going to Bardstown’s community fund.”
“And by highest bidders,” I add, “we mean you. So, get your wallets ready because this pork doesn’t come cheap, and it’s for a good cause.”
The crowd cheers, and I glance at Ethan, who’s grinning like he’s having the time of his life. He catches me looking and leans over slightly, his voice just loud enough for me to hear.
“You’re good at this,” he says, his tone surprisingly sincere.
“Don’t sound so surprised,” I reply, trying to hide the flush creeping up my neck.
Ethan grins but doesn’t push it, turning back to the crowd. “All right, let’s meet our contestants!”
We step to the side as the first contestant, Mrs. Harriet, waddles up to the stage with a platter in her hands. Her famous honey-glazed pork roast gleams under the lights, and the crowd murmurs in approval.
“Mrs. Harriet,” I say into the mic, smiling warmly, “you’ve been cooking for these events for years. What makes this dish special?”
She beams, holding up her platter. “It’s all about the glaze, dear. Family recipe, passed down from my grandmother. A little honey, a little spice, and a whole lot of love.”
The crowd claps as Ethan leans into his mic. “And I’m sure it’s worth every penny, folks. Don’t be shy when the bidding starts!”
Mrs. Harriet blushes, waving at the crowd as she steps down.
The next contestant is Frank, the town butcher, who walks up with a massive pork shoulder that looks like it could feed an army .
“Frank, this is… impressive,” I say, eyeing the dish.
Frank chuckles, his voice booming. “Slow-smoked for ten hours. This here’s the pride of Bardstown!”
Ethan claps him on the back, grinning. “I think I just found my dinner, folks. Better start saving your pennies if you want to beat me in the auction.”
The crowd laughs as Frank steps down, and we continue introducing the contestants—each one with a dish more elaborate than the last. There’s a roasted pork belly from the bakery owner, a tangy pulled pork platter from the high school principal, and even a spicy pork stew from the local librarian.
By the time we’ve gone through all the contestants, the crowd is buzzing with excitement.
Ethan leans into his mic, looking out at the audience. “All right, Bardstown, you’ve met the cooks, you’ve seen the dishes—now it’s time to let our judges do their thing. And while they’re tasting, get ready to loosen those wallets because this pork is going to the highest bidder!”
The crowd cheers, and I step forward, taking the lead again. “Remember, every single penny raised tonight goes straight to the community fund. So bid big, eat well, and let’s make this the best event Bardstown has ever seen!”
The applause is loud and enthusiastic, and as the judges start their tasting, Ethan and I step off to the side of the stage.
As the judges work their way through the dishes, Ethan and I move between the tables, chatting with the locals and keeping the energy alive.
At one table, Mrs. Harriet waves us over, beaming like she’s already won. “You two make such a good team,” she says, motioning for us to sit. “It’s so nice to see young people like you getting involved in the community.”
“Oh, we’re not a team,” I say quickly, but Ethan cuts me off.
“Not officially,” he adds with a smirk, earning a laugh from Mrs. Harriet.
I glare at him, but even I can’t deny the warmth spreading through my chest. It’s strange—he’s annoying, sure, but there’s something about the way he fits into this town that feels… effortless.
As we make our way back to the stage, Ethan slows down, his gaze turning thoughtful. “You know,” he starts, “this is the most I’ve seen you smile since I got here.”
I freeze mid-step, caught off guard. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He shrugs, shoving his hands into his pockets. “It just means it’s nice to see. That’s all.”
For a moment, I don’t know what to say. He’s looking at me like he means it—like he’s not just teasing me for once.
“Well,” I manage, “maybe I’m just in a good mood tonight.”
But even as I say it, I can’t ignore the warmth that floods through me at his sincerity. I avoid his gaze, not ready to admit that he might be the reason.