Aspen nods. “I got to help Maggie paint her bedroom when we were in middle school. That shit got everywhere. I’m pretty sure I had paint in my hair for a week.”
“It will be fine. If you hate painting, then I’ll finish it on my own. Or hell, I’ll grab a couple of cases of beer and make the prospects do it,” Ridge jokes.
It’s amazing how easily he can read me. He is willing to let me try anything, yet is also ready to step in if I decide it’s not for me.
He’s perfect.
“Are you excited about making the place your own?” Aspen asks.
I nod. “I am. It’s weird seeing some of the photos and stuff come down, but it’s nice. It’s starting to feel like ours.”
“Aww…you said ours. Who would have thought you two would make it this long without killing each other?” Aspen teases.
“I hate you,” I tell her with no heat, making her laugh.
“Please, anyone with eyes knew this would work out,” Wolf says.
I feel Ridge’s eyes on me and can’t help but look over at him and smile.
“Yeah, it’s working out all right. Better than I imagined,” I say quietly, meaning every word.
Ridge
The date is better than I could have hoped it would be. In the past, something like this would have sounded like a drag. With Rain, nothing feels that way. I actually find myself having fun.
That surprises me most of all because I have been anxious lately. Especially when Rain caught the tail end of my call earlier. I thought I had been caught. It’s been on my mind all night. Thankfully, I don’t think she has a clue.
When she told me about her aunt and her father, I could see how much it hurt her, thinking she was the reason he never had that love. It broke my heart. I knew I needed to find her aunt, tell her about Mustang at the very least, and see if she would beinterested in having a relationship with my girl. Even if she says no, I will know I tried.
It only took Meek minutes to find her and to give me the complete rundown on her. As soon as he gave me her number, I made the call right there in his office. I expected her to say no instantly, but she didn’t. All she said was that she needed to think about it, and she would be back in touch with her answer.
I was more than willing to give her all the time in the world if it means my girl might have some blood family in her life. If her aunt says no, though, no harm, no foul. My girl doesn’t have to know that someone else left her. If I have my way, she will never know that feeling ever again.
Rain and Aspen laugh, pulling me out of my thoughts. I can’t help but smile as Rain leans into me, her hand resting on my thigh.
Who would have thought my girl was touchy-feely? I sure as hell never expected it, but I fucking love it.
The server comes back with both checks, and Wolf and I instantly hand her our cards without checking the bill.
“I’ve told you that you need to check it before you hand them your card. What if it’s wrong and they charge you for something we didn’t get?” Aspen asks her man.
“Then I pay for it. It’s not that big of a deal,” Wolf says.
“You say that now, but I was once charged forty percent gratuity on two drinks because I was with a group of girls from work. The system fucked up and some of us got charged forty while the others got nothing,” Rain says.
Aspen pushes his shoulder. “See!”
“Did they correct their mistake?” Wolf asks, not taking his eyes off Rain.
Rain nods. “Yeah, but it took over an hour. They also tried to charge a pregnant woman for a beer that she very clearly didn’t order or drink.”
“Jesus Christ, what kind of hole in the wall did you go to?” I ask, shaking my head.
“One that was supposedly ‘haunted.’” Rain air quotes, making us laugh.
“All right, let’s get out of here. Are you two done hanging out and want to go home, or are we heading back to the clubhouse?” Wolf asks as he stands.
I follow his lead and hold my hand out to Rain, helping her out of the booth.