It fit him.
“Finding a skilled tradesman who can take care of this place is tough,” Athena chimed in. “We have to vet them, of course. And it helps that Briggs is a Daddy himself.”
Perfect! Riley thought. Had Athena said that because she could tell how worried Riley was?
Thankfully, the fear of being outed subsided a little bit at the recent revelation. But another fear bloomed in its place.
If Briggs was a Daddy, then he probably already had someone there at the nursery.
“That’s neat,” she said, trying hard to sound casual and as if she was merely showing a polite, typical interest.
It shouldn’t be hard, Riley. Acting is only your job.
This role was tougher than any she’d played on TV or the big screen, though. Briggs was just having an effect on her like nothing else she’d ever experienced.
“I bet your Little loves having you around,” she added.
“Well, I don’t have a Little. Yet. But if you find her, let me know.” Briggs winked.
Riley giggled and turned her head away quickly, hoping her blushing wasn’t too obvious.
“I’ll help you with the scaffolding,” Trevon announced.
Riley was both thankful to be rescued from her awkwardness and sorry her time with Briggs was ending.
Would she ever see him again? It would be crazy if she met the most gorgeous man on the planet—the guy who just happened to captivate her completely—and it was over after two minutes!
“It was nice meeting you,” Briggs called over his shoulder as he walked away with Trevon. Stopping, he threw a glance back at her. “Will you be around off and on?”
“Of course!” she answered without really considering the question.
But then the realization that she’d just committed herself to something hit her. In reality, it was too soon to say if she’d be around. What if she hated it at the Hollywood Haven? She didn’t even know if she would get along with the other Littles.
For more time with Briggs, she’d make it all work. Somehow.
“Then I look forward to seeing you,” he said. “Come by and say hi anytime I’m working. Just be careful.” He was already walking toward the front of the house again as he continued. “Lots of equipment around and I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Yes, sir,” she said instinctively.
Once the two men disappeared around the corner, Riley remembered Auntie Athena was still standing there. Turning to greet her host, she said, “They both seem nice.”
Athena wore a knowing smile, but she didn’t mention anything about the obvious attraction that had been on display.
“I bet you’re ready to get inside and?—”
The humming of the garage door as it rose had both women looking its direction. When it was fully up, two tall figures emerged, shocking Riley.
It wasn’t their sudden appearance that stunned her.
No, it was the fact that she recognized them! She’d even met them both on occasion.
“Stryker? Harrison?”
Her jaw hung slack as she studied the tall, dark-blond director and his muscular, dark-haired actor friend.
“In the flesh,” Stryker said. “Hey, Riley. Auntie Athena told us you were coming over and we wanted to stick around and say hi.”
“You two are… Daddies… here?” Regretting the question as soon as it left her lips, she said, “I’m sorry. Is that bad etiquette to ask?”
