“Hmm. I don’t know. Am I missing a man who kisses me, tells me I’m beautiful and calls me his girlfriend with pride?”
Riley sneered. “I really don’t like happy people. Ann is bad enough with ‘Jack this’ and ‘Jack that’. Now you’re doing it too? Say it ain’t so.”
“Itisso. Jack is nice, I guess, but he’s no Dex.” Then, because Riley deserved it, she added, “And he’s certainly no Anson Black, that’s for sure.”
“You bitch. Why must you taunt me withthat name?”
Maya laughed. “It amuses me. Isn’t it weird that he and Dex are related? Dex is so nice.” A word that used to bore her. Now she couldn’t imagine living without her personal Boy Scout by her side. Yet just thinking that made her break out in hives. Being happy was like the kiss of death with her and men.
As if she’d summoned him, Dex materialized at her booth and looked around. He whistled. “Nice stuff. How much for the lot?”
A steady stream of potential customers continued to mill about the area, trudging out in the sunny yet cold weather. She tugged Dex back with her and Riley, and they watched the crowd.
“She’s been selling like crazy,” Riley said.
“Of course she has. Her work is amazing.” Dex beamed.
Maya flushed with pride. Stupid to enjoy his approval, but she had to admit she wanted it.
Riley continued, “In fact, I’d say her vases are as beautiful as my lemonade cupcakes are tasty.”
“The ones with the toasted coconut icing?” Dex licked his lips, and Maya noted more than one woman look his way. The hussies. “Let’s not be hasty. Maya’s an artist, but you’re a goddess.”
Maya narrowed her eyes. “Hey.”
“You’ve had her food. You know I’m right.” Dex rubbed his stomach. “Speaking of which, I’m starving.”
“Oh? Been working up an appetite with your emergency?”
He shook his head. “I swear it’s karma. We had an actual water leak, followed by a small electrical fire up at the house. Been dealing with the landlord for two days.”
Riley seemed concerned. “Is everything all right?”
“We’re good. The stuff in the garage isn’t so pretty. I’m not sure what all Anson had in those cardboard boxes. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him curse like that before.”
Riley didn’t hide her grin.
“So anyway, I need food.”
“Go eat, you monster.” Maya patted his flat belly. “Besides, there’s not enough room in this tent for Riley’s ego and your stomach.”
“Ha-ha.” He gave her a quick kiss and left.
Riley watched her after he’d gone.
“What now?”
“You love him. Fess up.”
“Not the time, Riley.” She made a few more sales and could finally appreciate how well she’d done now that she’d seen Dex.
“When is the time? Have you told him yet?”
“No. But he hasn’t told me either. Apparently he only talks toyouabout important stuff.” Which annoyed her.
“He’s probably scared you’ll run off. You don’t do PDAs much, and you barely tolerate the male of the species.”
“Dex is different.”
