before answering, âPot roast, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables. Are you hungry?â
Ryanâs stomach growled again. âStarving.â She paused before asking, âMom, I know that you donât really like my clothes, but do I really look that bad?â
Her mother reached out and touched her face. âI only care that youâre happy. If you like your new clothes and you feel good about yourself, then Iâm happy.â As if it was an afterthought, she pulled a wooden spoon from the drawer and slapped Ryanâs thigh.
âOuch! Mom! What was that for?â
Her mother pointed the spoon under her nose and said, âThatâs a warning. I see you wearing skimpy miniskirts or hooker heels, you wonât be able to sit for a week once I get through with you.â
Ryan laughed at her motherâs stern mouth and twinkling eyes, and knew she was teasing.
âDeal.â
âS O MY PARENTS seemed to like you,â Ryan said as they drove back to Rock Canyon. âEspecially my dad, and he hates every guy I bring home.â
Gregg smiled in the dark and reached out for her hand. âI guess that means Iâm a good one. You should probably be very, very nice to me.â
She slid her hand over his thigh and smiled seductively, âOh I plan on being very, very nice to you.â
His pants were suddenly a little tight across his lap and he grabbed her hand to stop her exploring fingers. âWant to stay over at my place tonight?â
She brought his hand up to her mouth, running her tongue over his thumb. He felt every flick as if they were happening all along his body.
âBut I donât have anything to sleep in,â she teased him softly.
He pulled their linked hands away from her mouth and bit her thumb gently. âWho said weâre going to be sleeping?â
Chapter Five
Five days until Valentineâs Day . . .
âI DEFINITELY THINK Iâm going to do the auction on Friday,â Gracie said, running her hand over her hot pink apron with black letters that read, CALL ME CUPCAKE ONE MORE TIME . . . and had a picture of a sprinkled cupcake making an angry face.
Ryan and Gemma looked at each other in amusement. Gracie looked between them, her eyebrow raised. âWhat? I think it will be fun. Plus, itâs kind of romantic.â
Gemma laughed. âRomantic? Being bid on like an object is romantic? And possibly having to spend the entire evening with someone you canât stand? Youâre nutty.â
âIâm sure whoever bids on me wonât be that bad.â
âWhat about Eric Henderson?â Ryan smiled at the scowl Gracie shot her.
âOkay, so there are exceptions to every rule.â
Gemma laughed. âSeriously, what is the deal with you two?â
Gracie made a face of disgust. âThe guy is an ass.â
Ryan gave her a little smile. âI always found him a little gruff, but still nice.â
Gemma nodded. âYeah, heâs always been good to me.â
Gracie groaned. âOkay, enough about him please.â She turned to Ryan and smiled slyly. âSo, how was your weekend?â
Ryan looked down at her coffee cup with a small smile. âIt was wonderful.â
Gracie squealed. âOh my God! Tell us!â
Ryanâs head snapped up in shock. âI canât!â
âGracie,â Gemma scolded, âshe doesnât need to share intimate details! You need to respect other peopleâs privacy.â
Gracie rolled her eyes. âIâm not asking for details about that! I just want to know what they did. Last I heard was you were going on a date! Then Gregg comes in Sunday wanting breakfast for two and I just figured that everything had gone very, very well.â
Ryan smiled dreamily. âWe went to dinner at Carolinaâs on Saturday, and on Sunday we went for a drive around Hagerman and Thousand Springs Resort, taking pictures. After that we