“True, but her friends are attractive, and some of them are nice.”
Not so smug now. She frowned. “We’re a couple. Happy now?”
“I will be at some point, I’m sure.” He shifted in his seat. “Getting you off made me hard.”
“Everything makes you hard.” She smirked.
Her dark hair lay like a glossy mane over her arm. So shiny and black. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and the flush on her cheeks looked too perfect to be real. “Jesus, Maya. You are without a doubt the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Her cheeks turned pinker. “Whatever.”
“Now you say thank you. Accept the compliment.”
“Thanks,” she muttered.
“Look, I don’t want to pressure you. If my being with any of Selena’s friends bothers you because they’re affiliated with Selena, I could always ask Riley out. She’s perfect. She’s nice and she cooks like a dream.”
Her scowl made his entire world brighter. “Leave Riley alone.”
“Why? Jealous?”
“Jealous?Jealous?”
“You said that already.” Was it wrong to have such fun at her expense?
She cleared her throat. “She deserves someone who really loves her.”
“Why can’t I love her? She’s an amazing woman.”
Maya sputtered but couldn’t come up with anything better than, “We’re dating. Leave it at that.”
He continued to goad her all the way to Riley’s. When he parked, she stormed out of the truck and slammed into her friend’s house. It promised to be a fun evening, for sure.
An hour later, he sat back and patted his stomach. “Riley, marry me.”
She laughed, though Maya glared holes through him.
“Relax, Maya. Everyone knows you’re my girl.” He was getting a huge kick out of reaffirming their relationship in a public setting—assuming one other person could count as public. The more he said it, the more right it felt, and the more nervous she seemed to get. Maya never seemed uncertain about anything, so her nerves around him continued to be a good sign.
Riley winked at him and he upped the wattage of his smile. “I can’t help being bowled over by such an amazing meal. Chicken pot pie is like my all-time favorite, and that crust was amazing.”
“You already said amazing,” Maya sniped.
“Now, Maya, be nice.” Riley stood to collect his plate when he tried to get up and take it to the sink. “It’s a pleasure to cook for someone who appreciates it.”
“Hey. I appreciate it,” Maya said.
Riley put their plates in the sink. “You aren’t happy unless I make dessert.”
“Did you?” Maya asked.
“Yeah, did you?” Dex echoed.
Riley put her hands on her hips. “Yes, but honestly, wouldn’t the pot pie have been enough?”
“Yes,” he said at the same time Maya said, “No.”
Riley laughed, and Maya excused herself to the bathroom.
