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“Sorry, I’m being nosy. It’s just that I have Layne breathing down my neck and dying to know how it’s going. Ryan won’t tell her anything and it’d driving her up a wall,” Sydney said with a laugh. “Layne just hates it when people won’t let her meddle.”

“Tell her that she doesn’t need to meddle. Ryan and I are both adults and we’re figuring it out on our own. If I need help, I’ll let her know,” I said.

Sydney laughed again. “Yeah, that’s not going to fly with Layne, but I’ll try.”

“Thank you,” I said as a group of customers walked in.

Your mama invited me over for dinner tonight Ryan sent me on Tuesday afternoon.

How in the hell did she get your number? I responded.

I sent her a message about maybe wanting to rent a house she replied.

They didn’t say anything about it to me. I can tell them no for you I sent as I sat on my stool in the back of the pottery shop.

I already told her I’d come she responded.

Oh, okay. That’s fine then. You can come over and have dinner and then we’ll go to your place I sent.

Or we could just stay the night at your place she replied.

You sure you want to do that? I sent.

I think I can handle your parents. And your door locks, right? She responded.

It does I sent.

“Ryan is coming over tonight,” I said to Sydney. “She’s staying over and I’m trying not to freak out, but I think I’m freaking out a little bit.”

“It’ll be fine,” Sydney said. “Your parents aren’t that bad.”

I let out a breath. “I really hope you’re right.”

Chapter Fourteen

“Please be normal,” I begged my parents before Ryan arrived. “Just…don’t be weird. Please.”

Mama laughed. “Oh, you’re being serious. We’re not weird. Are we weird?”

Mom kissed her cheek. “We have our moments. Don’t worry, we’ll have dinner together and then get out of your hair. You can have the living room all to yourselves.”

I wasn’t going to tell her that we wouldn’t need the living room since we would probably go right upstairs so we could do naked things.

“Okay,” I said and then there was a knock at the door.

Ryan came in with more flowers, and she’d also brought cupcakes for everyone.

“They’re chocolate cherry,” she said.

“Perfect,” I said, getting on my tiptoes to give her a kiss. “Come on in.”

She set her bag down by the door and slipped her shoes off.

“Ryan, lovely to see you,” Mama said, coming over to give her a hug and take the flowers.

“Thank you for inviting me,” Ryan said.

“We’re happy to have you,” Mom said, taking some plates to the table in the dining room.