MADDY
I just really like dessert
“What am I doing?”
I’m reapplying my cherry lipstick in the rearview mirror like I’m having a very important interview. I’m literally just coming over to my boyfriend's house for some tea. And it’s not even my real boyfriend so why the heck am I doing that?
“Come on Mads,” I mutter to myself. “Just get your ass inside.”
I check one more time before I step out of the car. As I walk on the driveway towards the house, I fumble at my braid and look down at my sweater to check if I don’t look ridiculous—
“You’re actually on time.”
I jump as I look up to see Ryan leaning against the porch railing. “Don’t scare me like that.”
“Sorry I was just really surprised that you are actually on time,” he smirks. “Especially with how long you were still sitting in your car.”
Shit—was he outside already that entire time?
“Well,” I start. “I just really like dessert.”
That makes him laugh, and I glance up at him properly.
He’s in a dark blue hoodie, one hand tucked lazily into the front pocket while the other rests along the rail behind him.
He looks comfortable, the kind where it softens everything about a person.
Which is really cute. You know where you suddenly get the urge to scoot closer, snuggle into his side, and run your fingers through his hair.
Ahem—not that I want to do that. Obviously.
He leads me inside, and the first thing that hits me is the smell. Warm vanilla. Melted butter. Sugar. Something cinnamon-y is definitely happening too.
Bailey and Mabel stand side by side at the counter, surrounded by bowls, flour dusting the surface like fresh snow. Bailey looks up first. She’s wearing a bright pink apron that reads Little Sous-Chef in Training in sparkly letters.
“Maddy!”
“Hey Bailey,” I grin and point to her apron. “Nice apron. Did they finally promote you to head chef?”
Bailey flips her brown hair over her shoulder. “Obviously.”
Ryan snorts softly beside me, then reaches out and ruffles her hair.
Bailey immediately ducks, swatting at his arm. “Hey!”
He does it again anyway, dragging his knuckles over the top of her head like he’s been doing it his whole life, and she squirms, trying to escape, but he’s taller and she fails miserably.
I shake my head, smiling. The two of them are unbelievable.
Mabel laughs softly and steps around the counter to give me a quick hug.
“Hi, Mabel.”
“Hi, sweetheart,” she says warmly. “You look lovely.”
The compliment makes me straighten. “Thank you. And wow—it smells incredible in here.”
Mabel gives me a warm smile, wipes her hands on a dish towel and looks toward Ryan. “Dessert will be ready in about fifteen minutes. Why don’t you two get the nice plates from upstairs?”
Ryan releases Bailey and glances at me. “Come on,” he says. Then, with the faintest smirk: “Babe.”
I narrow my eyes at him but follow anyway.
Upstairs, he leads me into a small side room, shelves lining the walls. My eyes land on a set of plates, white with delicate blue details, stacked neatly on the top shelf.
“Those?” I ask, pointing.
“Yeah,” Ryan says, stepping forward. “I’ll grab them. You’re probably too small.”
I stop him with a hand flat against his chest. “Excuse you. I’m five foot five, thank you very much. I can reach them.”
He laughs under his breath and lifts his hands in surrender. “Alright. Go ahead.”
I turn back to the shelf and reach up…okay. Maybe I am too small.
I rise onto my toes, stretching as far as I can, fingertips barely brushing the edge of the top plate. Behind me, I hear him shift. “Need help?” he asks, way too amused.
“Nope,” I mutter. “Almost there.”
I reach again and tip slightly forward. Before I can lose my balance, his hands catch my waist, steadying me instantly.
“You’re so stubborn,” he says.
I turn my head toward him. “I’m not stubborn.”
He just huffs a laugh, already reaching past me with ease, grabbing the plates like it’s nothing. And suddenly, I’m very aware of how close we are. I look up at him, and he’s right there, towering over me, the plates balanced in one hand like they weigh nothing.
“Not stubborn, you say?” he murmurs, that teasing smile still there.
I open my mouth to respond, but don’t. Because he’s so close. My eyes flick up to his, and for a second neither of us moves. His gaze drops, just briefly, before lifting back to mine, and something in my chest tightens.
The door swings open.
“Well, well,” Bailey sings.
We step apart so fast it’s almost impressive.
“Lovebirds. Dessert is ready,” she adds, smirking.
“Coming,” Ryan says quickly.
I clear my throat, suddenly very interested in literally anything else as Bailey disappears down the hall. Ryan rubs the back of his neck. “Come on,” he says after a second, tilting his head toward the door. “Let’s get that dessert you came for.”
“This might be the best apple pie I’ve ever had.” I close my eyes while taking a bite, because it really is the best apple pie I’ve ever had.
The small coffee table in front of the couch is completely covered. Tea steaming in mugs, the little antique plates we grabbed, and right in the middle that golden apple pie.
“Thank you dear,” Mabel says with a sweet smile.
“I did the apples,” Bailey adds proudly.
I hear Ryan laugh softly, his breath against my neck, sending a little shiver down my spine.
We’re squeezed onto the small sofa together, because Bailey and Mabel took the bigger one (on purpose I think).
And Ryan practically takes up the entire seat with his stupidly athletic build, leaving me folded sideways beside him, knees pulled up and feet tucked under me.
But I do have to admit, I’m pretty comfortable.
I think I've gotten used to sitting this close.
I shift a little, then look toward Bailey. “What about you? What do you want to do after high school?”
“Well, I have a couple things.” Bailey straightens proudly. “FBI agent, actress, fashion designer, professional surfer, lawyer maybe because well—the drama.”
Ryan and I exchange a look, both of us grinning.
“She really is a mini version of Kiara,” he says.
“You don't say,” I laugh and look back at Bailey. “I’m so sure that you’re gonna be able to actually pull that off.”
“Thank you,” she says and then straightens instantly. “Oh my god, wait. Speaking of, would you still teach me surfing?”
I grin. “Absolutely.” I lower my voice. “I’ll even teach you the dramatic slow-mo beach walk.”
She gasps, leaning back. “I knew there was a trick to that.”
“Actually,” I say, shifting forward. I push myself off the sofa, grabbing my bag from the floor. “I actually brought you something.”
Bailey’s eyes go wide as I hand her the big wrapped package. The paper is soft blue, covered in little seashells, and she tears into it like it’s Christmas morning.
“No. Freaking. Way.”
Ryan leans over to see, his eyes widen and shoot to me the second he realizes what's inside. “You got her a wetsuit?”
“A brand-new one!” Bailey says, holding it up. “And it has pink details!”
Mabel’s expression softens immediately. “Maddy… that is incredibly kind.”
I shrug, smiling at Bailey’s reaction. “She deserves good gear.”
Ryan glances at me again as I squeeze down beside him again, something warm flickering across his face.
“That’s really thoughtful,” he says, voice quieter now. “You’re setting the bar pretty high.”
I pretend not to notice the heat creeping into my cheeks so I just smile instead.
Bailey launches herself at me before I can respond, nearly knocking the sofa backward. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
I laugh, trying to breathe through the hug. “You’re very welcome.”
The rest of the night stretches on without any of us really noticing. Bailey launches into a story about how Ryan once cried because he thought he killed a bee, and within seconds Mabel and Bailey are nearly crying from laughter while Ryan covers his face with his hands.
I press my lips together, failing miserably at holding in a laugh. Ryan peeks through his fingers, catching me, and all I can do is smile. Then leans in slightly, close enough that only I can hear him. “I think the act is working,” he murmurs.
His words make me blink, the warmth in my chest stuttering for a second as the word settles back in. This—sitting here, laughing with his family—it’s all part of the deal.
I glance at the clock and sigh. “Okay—how is it already eleven?” I say, pushing myself up. “I should probably head home.”
There’s a tiny frown between Ryan's eyebrows as I jump from the sofa.
Bailey is on her feet immediately, wrapping me in a tight hug. “Thanks again for the wetsuit. You’re officially the coolest person I know.”
“You’re very welcome,” I laugh.
A second later, Mabel walks over and stops beside me, leaning a little closer and lowering her voice. “You know… the way Ryan looks at you? It’s the sweetest thing. I haven’t seen that boy smile like this in a long time.”
I freeze, unsure of what to say. “He’s been really kind. You did a good job with him.” I manage.
She squeezes my arm and gives me a sweet smile
“What are you two whispering about?” Ryan asks, tilting his head.
Mabel waves a hand. “Oh, nothing. Just girl talk.”
He narrows his eyes. “Terrifying.”
I laugh, grabbing my bag and keys. “Thank you for tonight,” I say, pulling Mabel into a quick hug. “Everything was amazing.”
“Come back anytime, sweetheart.”
Ryan is already reaching for his jacket. “I’ll walk you out.”
The night air is cool when we step onto the porch, and for a moment, we just stand beside my car.
“I meant what I said earlier,” he tells me. “Getting Bailey that wetsuit was really thoughtful.”
I shrug lightly. “She makes it easy.”
He smiles at that. I glance behind him, toward the house, and immediately start laughing. Mabel and Bailey are standing at the window. Trying to hide behind the curtains, but failing terribly.
Ryan follows my gaze and groans. “Unbelievable.”
“They’re watching us.”
“Yeah,” he sighs. “Subtle has never been their thing.”
I shake my head, still laughing.
“Well…” I say, a small smile tugging at my mouth, “…guess we should give them something.”
Before I can overthink it, I rise onto my toes and press a kiss to his cheek, my hands resting lightly against his chest. It’s just a small kiss, but when I pull back, his expression shifts, like I actually caught him off guard. A faint flush creeps up his neck. Is he seriously blushing?
I bite back a smile and glance past him again, and sure enough, his mom and Bailey are already giggling to each other like this just made their entire night.
“That worked,” I say.
He clears his throat, a quiet huff leaving him. “Good.”
And for the entire ride home, the stunned expression on his face keeps replaying in my head. Because you can’t fake blushing right?