“Oh, yeah!” Josh called back. “So fast!”
With a giant grin, Shane disappeared down the upstairs hallway.
For a minute longer, Josh remained at the front door, thinking about how he’d lied to Riley with all that just-for-now crap. He hadn’t given up on a future for all of them, together. And he wouldn’t give up. They deserved to be a family in every way.
He just needed to help Riley see that turning her back on how much the two of them meant to each other made no sense at all. And turning her back on the family they could make together?
That was just plain wrong.
Chapter Eleven
Riley called Josh’s mom that day. It was a good conversation—friendly and casual with no talk of wedding bells. Abby Bravo mentioned the baby right away and asked how Riley was feeling. Riley said she was doing well and promised to send Abby the most recent ultrasound images.
“Josh called an hour ago,” Abby said. “We’re looking forward to seeing you Monday at the Rising Sun.” Riley promised that she and Dillon would be there. “Wonderful,” Abby replied. “Josh also mentioned that you would invite Annette, who just might bring a date…”
“Yes. I’ll get in touch with her right away.”
“Good. We’ll see you Monday, then.”
They said goodbye and Riley called her mother-in-law.
“I’m in,” said Annette when Riley explained about the cookout at the Rising Sun. “I’ll call Miles right now and then let you know.”
Five minutes later, Annette called back. “Miles will be coming,” she said. Bright Beginnings was closed for the holiday. Annette would be looking after Dillon at her house.
“Great,” Riley replied. “I’ll swing by your place when I leave the hotel. You can ride with me and Dillon or follow us, whatever works.”
“We’ll follow—what should I bring?”
“Good question. Let’s confer…”
They talked for more than an hour, deliberating on everything from Annette’s developing relationship with Miles to how Riley sure spent a lot of time with Josh even though she vowed that they were not in love and would never be getting married.
Annette said she was betting on a wedding one of these days soon. “You are very fond of that young man. We both know it. Darling, I think you might be in denial about your true feelings for him.”
But Riley remained adamant. “You know where I stand on this subject, Annette. My position is not going to change.”
“I know, I know.”
“Then why do you keep bringing it up?”
“Because I love you, and I want you to be happy.”
“Iamhappy. Very happy. Can we please change the subject now?”
“Of course, sweetheart. Let’s move along.”
They discussed how to deal with a few issues at work. And before they said goodbye, it was decided that Annette would bring her famous herbed red potato salad, and Riley would whip up her mom’s classic recipe for blueberry cream cheese pie.
Around five, Riley texted Josh to let him know that Annette and Miles would be there for the cookout on Monday.
He called her. When she answered, he said, “That’s great.”
They started talking about the weekend, about the boys, about Josh’s birthday party and how much fun it had been.
They were still on the phone when Dillon came bouncing down the stairs waving a plastic airplane and makingvroomingsounds. “Hey, Mom. What’s for dinner?”
“Spaghetti,” she replied.
