Riley sat next to Dex at the table and grabbed his arm. “Okay, what’s the deal?”
“The deal?”
The woman had a tight grip. She was going to leave bruises on his forearm. “With you and Maya.”
“Truth?”
She nodded.
“I love her. But she’s a flight risk, so I’m stepping lightly.”
Riley gave him a gorgeous smile. It wasn’t hard to tell what his cousin saw in her. What any man would. “Well then.”
“Got any tips?”
She glanced at the hallway where Maya had disappeared, and seemed to consider her next words. “She’ll try to push you away before you can leave her.”
“I won’t leave.”
“So prove it by staying, no matter what. You haven’t bored her, and I think she’s falling for you. But that’s just my take. It goes without saying, you hurt her, I’ll find a way to poison you.”
“Ah, okay.”
“I mean it. You won’t leave the bathroom for a week.”
“I believe you.”
Riley seemed satisfied. “Look, her mom left her when she was just a kid, and it did a number on her. She acts all confident and tough, but she’s really a marshmallow inside. She’ll do anything for those she loves. Remember that.”
“Thanks, Riley.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it, amused when she seemed flustered. “I’m glad she has friends like you and Ann.”
“I always liked you.” She smiled at him and gripped his hand in hers. “Your cousin, however…”
Which was how Maya found them when she returned. “What the hell is this?”
Dex stood and twirled Riley in his arms. “Guess what, Maya? Riley agreed to a threesome. I am the happiest man on the planet.”
“Ew.” Riley shoved at his chest to get free.
Maya tried to hold onto her scowl but couldn’t. “You’re such a doofus.”
“Did I say threesome? I meant foursome. Quick, Riley. Call Ann. Jack’ll be cool with it. He owes me.”
Riley glared at him. “I think I’m going to throw up. I take back everything I said about you being charming.” But he caught the grin she tried to hide.
Maya subtly inserted herself between the two of them, and he saw Riley give him a thumbs-up before Maya turned a suspicious glance her way. “So…”
“So?” he asked.
“My dad wants you to come to dinner.”
“Oh, I’m meeting the parents.” He grinned. “Should I propose to you there, do you think? Or in private?”
Maya stared at him in shock or horror—maybe a bit of both, he couldn’t tell. And he laughed and laughed. She finally relaxed, but he realized he needed to move things along. The next time he asked her about marriage, she needed to be on her knees crying out ayes, not looking as if he’d just asked to sleep with her best friend.
Chapter Ten
Maya didn’t know how he’d done it, but Dex had charmed her out of her bad mood and turned Riley into a blushing pile of goo in the process. It was like he had some kind of weird effect on women in general. Had she metanyonewith two X chromosomes who didn’t like him?
