Free The Reluctant Bachelor by Syndi Powell

and used her fork to point at Rick. “You need to live, eat and breathe the show. Nothing is more important.”
    And make his life just like hers? Rick joined them in the living room area. “I’m not saying it’s not important. It’s just not everything.”
    “It should be.”
    Rick crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, I’m not you.” He handed the cameraman a glass of water. Okay, so he let the diner consume his life. It was better than being alone. Right?
    Charlie cleared his throat as he accepted the drink. “Do I need to be here for this fight?”
    Lizzie whipped her head around at him. “We’re not fighting. We’re discussing.”
    “Right.” Charlie held his hands up in surrender. “My bad.” He stayed silent and continued to eat his pie.
    Rick chuckled and returned to the kitchen counter. He’d missed this bantering. Missed Lizzie more than he’d realized.
    He shook his head and prepared two cups of coffee before turning back to the two, who watched him. “No more discussing. Let’s finish these interviews.”
    Lizzie smiled in response. “Now, that’s what I’m talking about.”
    * * *
    R ICK ’ S MOM GREETED Rick and the crew when they arrived at the house. He held the door open as they unloaded the van of the lights, cameras and other equipment. He joined them in the family room, where his mom had laid a fire. It looked cozy. Homey. And the audience would want to join the family who lived here.
    He adjusted the pictures on the mantel and glanced over his shoulder to find his mom watching him. She turned in a circle. The hem of her dress swished around her legs. “How do I look?”
    He walked to her and kissed her cheek. “Fabulous. Like always.” He turned in a circle. “And me?”
    She patted his cheek and walked into the adjoining kitchen. Took a plate of cookies from the counter. “I made these for the crew.”
    “They’re gonna love you for this.” He grabbed one before she could slap his hand. “Are you ready for this? Because I’m not sure I am.”
    She knit her eyebrows together and let out a big sigh. “Not exactly the time to be having doubts.” She put her arm around his waist. “But we can get through this together. We’ll find you the perfect wife. And the perfect mother of my grandchildren.”
    Rick groaned. “Let’s get to the wedding before we start discussing kids, okay?” Talk about jumping ahead. Though the thought of a couple of rug rats running around the old house made him smile. He could imagine future holidays surrounded by his wife and kids. “Okay, I’m ready for this.”
    Lizzie joined them in the kitchen. “Good. Because we’re ready, too.” She glanced at the plate of cookies. “Peanut butter?”
    His mom held out the plate. “Help yourself, dear.”
    “I really shouldn’t.” But she took one and bit into it. “These are too good to resist, though. Thank you. The crew will love you.”
    “That’s what I said.” Rick took another cookie, but this time his mom did slap his hand. “What? I was going to share.”
    Lizzie looked between them. “Are you two always like this? Close? Affectionate?”
    His mom examined his producer for a long moment. “You wanted natural. That’s what you’re getting. What is your family like?”
    Lizzie shoved the rest of the cookie in her mouth. Rick knew her family life was hardly idyllic, but the avoidance spoke more than actual words might. He put his arm around his mom. “Why don’t we give the cookies to the crew and get set up in the family room? Once we finish the interviews, we can have the salads and wraps I brought for lunch.”
    “And you blame me for trying to fatten everyone up.” His mom took the cookie plate into the family room, where she was cheered by the crew.
    Rick glanced at Lizzie. “You okay?”
    She nodded, but her cheeks burned and the rest of her face paled. “Family is one of those touchy topics.”
    He placed a hand on her shoulder. “I know.” He might not know