Chapter 1
"No, you said you were getting Emily this weekend. Damn it Charlie, you haven't seen her in almost 2 months." Riley was trying to remain calm as she pushed her basket through the grocery store. "Well you know what, you don't have to see the heart broken look on her face, when I tell her yet again her father has better things to do than see her." She was so sick of Charlie doing this to their kid. That little blonde haired blue eyed bundle of joy was her life and she couldn't imagine going that long without seeing her. The brunette didn't even realize that there was someone eavesdropping, "she deserves so much better than what you give her." She angrily tapped the end button her phone and completely forgot the purse on her shoulder when her arms fell to the side. "Dang it." Her fingers ran through her long brown hair before kneeling down and picking up the assortment of items that she stored in her purse.
"Nice Barbie doll." The brunette giggled and looked up, only seeing sandy blonde hair she continued to pick up her stuff.
"I just play with them in my spare time. And this is my other cellphone." Her dainty hand held up a plastic pink flip phone. They both stood up and she got a good look at him, "wow." She whispered and immediately coughed to cover it up. Bright green eyes, strong jaw, and muscles everywhere, her brown eyes almost couldn't take it. "Thank you so much for helping."
"No problem." His lips separated slightly, she was incredibly gorgeous. Her large brown eyes were accented with long eyelashes and dimples. "I'm Lucas." He held his hand out and she accepted the friendly gesture.
"Riley, it's nice to meet you. Thanks again, for everything." She put her purse in the basket and strolled away.
Lucas didn't want her to leave that quick, "hey um, I hope things work out for you."
"What?" She furrowed her brows and cocked her head to the side.
The green eyed man gulped, "I overheard your conversation. On accident of course, I hope things get better."
"I'm sorry you had to hear that." Her hands tried to hide the blush that overcame her cheeks. "I'm so embarrassed, normally I don't bring calls like that in here I just, anyways you don't care about this." She giggled, "It was nice to meet you." Lucas separated his lips but couldn't force any words out, all he could do was nod. "Bye."
"YOUR NUMBER!" The brunette jumped at his boisterous voice, he face palmed himself and Riley started laughing.
"I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you. What was that?"
"Very funny, I'm really sorry about how loud that was." His palms fell from his eyes, "um can I have your number I'd love to take you out sometime."
Her brown eyes brightened and she grinned. "That's really sweet and I'm super flattered because well look at you." He didn't like where this was going, "I've just got a lot going on right now."
"I understand, sorry to scare you." She hated to admit that his disappointed face was pretty cute.
"You didn't it was funny. Have a nice day." She gave one final grin before leaving. The emerald eyed man sighed heavily admiring her dimples.
"Thanks."
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Riley just finished her 6 a.m. work out when there was a light knock at the door. "Maya? What're you doing here?" She kissed her blonde best friend on the cheek.
"I had to be at the school by 8, I had some time to kill since it's just now 7."
"Coffee?"
Maya nodded and followed her into everyone's dream kitchen. Granite countertops, dark cherry wood cabinets, double oven, an island and all stainless steel appliances. This was the one room she had to have perfect, this was her safe haven. "So is Charlie picking her up?"
"Of course not." The brunette sat down at the table and took a sip. "I haven't told her yet, but my mom wants her so she's going to go over there."
"So I'm hearing you're free."
The brown eyed girl giggled, "You can hear that if it isn't another blind date."
"It is. But, please listen it's a double date and I picked him out this time. Zay recently introduced me to an old friend from school and he'd be perfect. Forget about the fact that he is so unbelievably gorgeous, and know that if I was single I'd jump all over him."
"Ew!" Riley giggled and set down her coffee cup, "I'm okay seriously. I have other things to do then worry about a man in my life. Men suck."
The blue eyed woman set down her cup, "you can't compare everyone to Charlie and your dad." She was about to respond when a little 4 year old blonde girl sauntered into the kitchen.
"Hey baby, good morning." Riley picked her up off the hardwood into her lap, "how'd you sleep? What'd you dream about?" Her lips touched her blonde curly q's and she squeezed her tighter.
"Horses."
Both women snickered, "of course you did. Did you see Aunt Maya?" Emily cuddled into her mom, when she was sleepy she didn't want anyone else. "Say hi at least baby don't be rude."
"Hi my Maya's." The mother rolled her eyes, that was something new she started and Riley couldn't figure out why, adding the word 'my' in front of someone's name.
"I'll get you some food." The brunette stood up and set her in the chair. "Maya you want to eat?"
"No thank you. I better be going. We'll pick you up at 7, love you!" Riley plugged in the waffle iron and grabbed the blueberry batter she made from the night before out of the fridge.
"Maya! CALL ME!" The door slammed shut, "she's not going to call."
"I wanna get dressed." The little blonde girl stated.
"Alright, go to your room." The brunette took one more sip of coffee and followed behind her. She flipped the lights on, "I keep forgetting we redid your room." The mother pulled out her hot pink denim shorts and denim button up. "Hey baby, you know how daddy was going to pick you up at school today."
"Yeah."
"We say yes m'am." Her fingers buttoned up the shirt, "well grandma is going to pick you up today okay. Daddy can't make it but he wanted me to tell you how much he loves you."
Riley knew it was partly because she was tired but tears filled her daughter's eyes, "I miss daddy." The brunette gulped trying not to cry, this is why she gets so mad at Charlie, every time this happened.
"I know you do baby and I'm so sorry. But guess what, grandma said if you were good in school you could go to the zoo this weekend." The mother shook her daughter's hips, "you love the zoo and you can ride all those horses."
"Horses?" The brown eyed woman rose from the ground and snatched a hair tie off of her dresser.
"Yes m'am, you'll get to ride one." Riley pulled half of her hair up to keep it out of her face, "as long as you're good in daycare today. Come on sweetie, let's get some food."
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Riley stepped into her restaurant and glanced around with a smile. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, "good morning everyone! Smackle, how're things looking?"
"Great actually, nothing to complain about. I fixed the 'M' in Restaurant Em, the lights went out." Her brown eyes moved outside to the patio.
"We need to have outside seating set up every day. Auggie, come here please."
A curly headed boy who looked similar to her waltzed up and threw his arm around the restaurant owner, "what's up sis?"
"Honey I love you, but I'm not scared to kick your butt. Patio furniture please and thank you!" She sipped on her coffee and pushed her brother outside before sauntering towards her office. "Alright perfect, you already had all this laid out for taxes last month. I don't know what I'm going to do without you when you graduate." The brunette stuck the papers in her purse and sat down, "thank goodness you have 1 more year."
Smackle laughed and sat down at the chairs in front of her desk. "I've already reordered all the alcohol and confirmed orders coming in for next week." They air fived and she went over the reports for last week. "Things are looking great."
"Oh, I've been meaning to ask you. Did you get the advertising out regarding kids eat free on Friday?"
The manager pushed up her glasses and nodded, "Yes, but you do realize that's going to be a huge hit."
"I'm not worried about it. Just a way for parents to take their kids out without having to pay extra, good bonding experience." Riley leaned back in her chair and sighed, "How's the new kid doing?"
"He's a bit of a slow learner but all in all pretty good. I also just need your approval on the schedules so I can post them today."
"Absolutely." Smackle placed the papers on the desk and grinned, "I'm going to do this, the taxes and I'm going to head out. You can reach me on my cell." She nodded and reached for the door, "oh Smackle thank you for everything you do."
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"What's she like Zay?" A spiraled football came straight for Zay's face.
"She's great man, she and Maya have been friends since elementary school if that says anything."
Lucas cleared his throat, "yeah loyalty is a good thing."
Maya slammed her car door shut, "good news I got no calls protesting the date tonight. I just have to make sure she remembers." The blonde gave Zay a kiss, "you haven't backed out on my yet, have you Luke?"
He chuckled, "no I haven't. But do you have a picture? I'm thinking that will help my nerves, I've never been on a blind date before."
The blue eyed girl whipped out her phone. "Doesn't this defeat the purpose of a blind date? It just makes it a date?" She grinned finding the picture of her opening the restaurant, plus she looked hot in her little black dress. "Here."
The green eyed man tucked the football in his arm and snatched the phone, trying to get rid of the glare the sun created. He recognized that face, "wait what's her name? Is it Riley?"
"Yes? How'd you know?" A wide smile approached his lips, she was even prettier than he remembered.
"I um, I met her at the grocery store she dropped her purse. I helped her pick it up." The football spiraled at his friend, "wait. There was a Barbie, she doesn't actually play with dolls does she?"
Maya bit her lip after giggling lightly, "no. She doesn't, she actually has a daughter."
"I was kidding with that question. I knew she had a daughter, she was arguing with some guy on the phone about not seeing her for 2 months." Zay cocked his head to the side, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop. Anyways I made a fool out of myself, so I may cancel."
The blonde tossed her hands up, "it's because she has a kid. Dang it I thought you were diff-"
"EASY!" Lucas took a step back, "I literally yelled 'your number' as she was leaving, and then she turned me down. I'm not cancelling because she has a daughter, I think that's great." He didn't know why that didn't freak him out. At this point in his life he was dating for marriage, if he went on a date with someone and couldn't picture himself with that woman, he didn't take it further. So why wasn't it freaking him out that he'd become a step father?
"You aren't cancelling at all!" Zay threw the football back at him, "Riley wasn't as smooth as she is now."
"She's smooth?" Maya questioned, "When did that happen?" Everyone laughed, "I'm serious. She literally ran into a door the other day, it wasn't a sliding glass door or anything. It was wood, like to a home." Her attention moved to Lucas, "you don't need to be embarrassed. 10 to 1 she embarrasses herself tonight."
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Come outside, Zay and I are waiting.
Riley set her phone down and rolled her eyes, no matter how much she fought her an hour ago she wasn't taking no for an answer. The brunette tucker her dark skinny jeans into her booties and tucked in and straightened out her tank top. Why was she doing this? Every time she went on a date, it turned to a disaster. They'd leave as soon as she mentioned she was divorced, and if they didn't leave then, they would as soon as she mentioned Emily. She tousled her curls and slid on some red lip stick.
"Where's my date?" She slid into the backseat.
"He's meeting us there, you're gonna like this one peaches." The blonde took Zay's hand and smirked. "Thank you for not fighting me too much on this."
"We argued for an hour."
"Which is a huge upgrade." The blue eyed girl moved to face her, "last time it was 2."
Her brown eyes rolled, "where are we going?"
"Hibachi!"
"Oh okay, good food. It'll be worth it when he leaves."
"Don't do that. Don't assume he's going to leave, you don't know him. Zay has told me a lot about him and he seems like a genuinely good breed." Her eyes widened, "like I said earlier. Not everyone is like Charlie and our fathers, I know because I found a good man. And you will too, because no matter how much you don't want to admit it you want someone there."
"For Emily, I want her to have a good father figure someone she can look up to."
"For you too Riles. I know you very well, you hate men but that doesn't mean you don't want the companionship. Tonight, for me give him a chance." Zay parked his truck and smirked.
"Besides Riley, something tells me my friend already knows about Emily and your divorce. Alright let's go inside." She slid out of the backseat with haste.
"He knows?! Seriously, you two are-"
"Riley?" Why did that voice sound familiar?
"Peaches, we didn't tell him anything." The brunette furrowed her brows and spun around.
"Lucas?" Riley mumbled.
"Oh good, I was hoping you'd remember me from that embarrassing scene yesterday." He shook her hand, "I promise I won't yell at you again." He looked even better in natural light instead of the awful grocery store lighting. His smile was captivating, scratch that his entire being was captivating.
The brunette giggled, "That'd be great actually." Zay and Maya waltzed inside to grab a table.
"You look beautiful." Beautiful was an understatement, this was the 3rd time he'd seen her and each time she looked more gorgeous than the last. "I thought you said you had a lot going on? Or did I just terrify you."
She tucked some hair behind her ear, "my something going on is my daughter and ex. And Maya, she's the big reason I'm here. I don't willingly go on dates." Riley divulged a smile, and those dimples he liked popped out. "Let's go eat."
His hand found the small of her back and opened the door for her, "why don't you willingly go on dates?"
"Ah," she chuckled, "because they'd leave as soon as I told them about my ex-husband and if that didn't do it my daughter was the cherry on top." The green eyed man pulled out a chair for her. "Thank you."
"No problem." He took his place in the chair next to her, "so you're telling me that they would leave? Like the date or wouldn't call you back?"
"Oh no, middle of the date. They'd go to the bathroom and the first few times I didn't know they meant bathroom at home." Her fingers ran through her hair and she bit her lip.
"On behalf of all stupid men everywhere, I'm sorry. They're idiots." The brunette scoffed, "what?"
The brunette smiled and licked her lips before closing her menu. "I could be crazy, you don't know me."
His green eyes brightened, completely intrigued that she just outright said that, denying his compliment. "I don't think you're crazy. I think the only thing you're crazy about is your daughter, which is awesome." Her head cocked to the side, "I heard the passion in your voice when you were talking to who, I assume was her father."
"Told you he was a good one." Maya announced nonchalantly while perusing her menu.
Riley tossed her straw wrapper at her, "smooth." Her eyes moved back towards her date, "enough with the deep heavy stuff. Tell me a little about yourself, besides the fact you shout at random women when you're grocery shopping."
'See that's my favorite past time." He joked, which luckily made her laugh. Lucas wasn't prepared for the butterflies that made themselves known. "I actually took over my family's ranch, but I don't do a whole lot there. The ranch hands don't need to be delegated, but I'm a vet as well. So that cut costs at the ranch."
"Yeah I'm sure it does. So do you work at a practice?"
"I did until my grandpa passed away. Ever since then I just take care of the animals on my ranch and help out some friends of mine." Zay and Maya fist bumped, keeping their noses out of the conversation, and tried to hide the fact they were proud of themselves. "What about you?"
"I was a chef, then I opened up my own restaurant."
Lucas found himself inching closer to her, and Riley was drawn in by his eyes. She hadn't felt this good about a date in a long time. "That's incredibly impressive, any restaurant I'd know?"
"Maybe, Restaurant Em?"
He bit the inside of his cheek, "I don't think I've eaten there before."
Zay cleared his throat, "Em as in Emily. Her daughter, she named it after her daughter." A smile crept to the emerald eyed man's face.
"That's really sweet. So why aren't we eating there tonight?"
She chuckled, "I ate my food for the first year and a half my restaurant opened and quite frankly I am still sick of it."
"Fair enough." Riley's gorgeous eyes glanced up and noticed he was staring at her. Not in a creepy way, they were staring into each other. Both trying to decipher the other, without using words, he felt obligated to say one thing though. "You're really, really beautiful."
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All 4 people sauntered out of the restaurant and Lucas was reluctant to let her leave. Riley's hair blew in the wind and she looked even more beautiful when she smiled at Maya. "Hey Riley, did you want a ride home?"
Her lips curved upwards, "That's really sweet but-"
"She'd love that!" The blonde interjected, making both guys laugh.
"If you'll excuse me for a second." The brunette pulled her best friend around the corner, "what are you doing?"
"What you aren't going to do, this is the best date you've been on in a while."
Riley couldn't deny that, he stayed. Throughout the entire dinner too, "yeah he didn't even go to the bathroom."
"See. He likes the fact you're a mom so take advantage of that because you enjoyed tonight too."
The brown eyed woman grabbed her hair, "what am I doing? I highly, highly doubt there will be a second date."
"Avoid the term 'man hater' and you'll be fine."
Zay poked his head around the corner, "Maya you ready? Riley you aren't allowed in my truck." The brunette threw her hands up in the air, gravity quickly pulled them back down to her sides.
"You can yell at me later peaches. Though you probably won't want to." Riley closed her eyes and heard her best friend walk away, but smelt her dates cologne. "So about that ride, apparently mine kicked me out."
He chuckled, "come on." The hand on her back escorted her to his truck, she hated to admit that she liked the way it felt. "I didn't mean to stress you out if that's what I did."
"NO! No, it wasn't you. I swear. It's just Maya, and her equally conniving boyfriend." His green eyes glistened from the light pole in front of the truck. "Um, I only live like 5 minutes away just turn right and flip back around."
"Alrighty. So what do they do that stresses you out?"
The brunette bit her lip, "everything." They both lightly laughed, "They just, they don't have kids so neither of them understand."
"Understand what?" Was he genuinely interested? Or was he being polite? Either way it was easier to talk to him than expected.
"Turn on this street right here. Maya just doesn't understand that things don't go past the first date. It just isn't feasible for me. This house right, here."
Lucas tried to hide his disappointment, why doesn't she want a second date? "Can I ask why things don't go past the first date? Personally I would really like for them too."
She inhaled deeply trying to calm her nerves, she hadn't felt this way in a long time. "Because I'm divorced and I have a daughter. I've been turned away for a lot less so, anyways ignore my sob story. I just really want to thank you for an amazing date tonight and not running away. It was nice to meet you."
The vet wrinkled his brows as she unlocked the passenger door. Riley was already walking up her sidewalk before he jumped out. "HEY! Wait, what if I wanted a second date?"
Her mouth opened slightly and tried not to notice how cute he looked when he was nervous, "you're really a very sweet guy. But I'd chew you up and spit you out, I'm kind of a man hater."
Lucas laughed, "I don't think you're supposed to say that on a first date."
"Usually it runs men off."
He threw his hands up, "I'm still here." To her surprise.
"It isn't just me, you know that right? I'm not dating for a fling and I'm a mom-"
"I'm not proposing, I'm not even sure where this is gonna go, or even if you like me at all but how will you ever know if you don't give it a shot?"
The brunette slowly nodded and bit her cheek, "you're okay with the fact that I have a lot of baggage?" The smile on his face, answered her question, "alright let's say that I checked my calendar and it turns out I'm free. What'd you have in mind?" She tried to ignore the butterflies and his eyes, even though it looked extremely awkward to avoid eye contact.
"I know this park that has a little ice cream stand, let's just take a walk. Get to know each other and see what happens." He had a way with words that was for damn sure. "Before you change your mind, I'll pick you up at 5." His lips touched her cheeks and they immediately turned red. "Good night beautiful."
"Good night Lucas." The green eyed man jogged back to his truck, and she finally felt like she could breathe again. As soon as he sped off her phone rang, "of course."
What's up peaches?
Are you mad at me?
Have I ever been mad at you?
So what'd you think? Cute right? Sweet right? MAYA I'M RIGHT HERE!
Yes, he was very sweet and very cute. I had a great time and I hate you for that.
Why? That's so great, he's okay with the fact you have a child, I actually think he likes it.
Because he's going to leave eventually and I actually might kind of like him.
You actually might kind of like him? That's great, for you. And he's not like that.
Either way, even when I tried to scare him off he didn't budge. I just have to stick to my guns and be prepared for the worst.
Peaches, that's great and I understand you're doing it for Emily. But, you can hope for the best. Wait you tried to scare him off, you used the word 'man hater' didn't you?
I'll see you later, love you.
Maya hung up the phone and glanced at her boyfriend, "I think you're cuter."
"Mhm." The front door to his apartment flew open. "Hey Luke." His friend held a dorky smile and Zay practically jumped when he shut the door. "Someone's happy, could it be because you enjoyed yourself tonight?"
The blonde bounced off the couch, "I just got off the phone with her."
Lucas tried to hide his rosy cheeks, "what'd she say?"
"You tell me what you thought first." She inched her way onto the barstool with a mischievous grin.
"She was, is amazing." The smile on his face could not be overstated, "I'm taking her out again tomorrow."
"YOU ARE? That little, why didn't she tell me?"
"Probably because you were about to give her a lecture on the word 'man hater'." Zay pronounced and slid Lucas a beer, "that's great Luke. I'm glad you like her, and you're sure you're cool with the daughter thing."
"Yeah," he took a sip, "I don't know why I'm not more terrified, especially because I'm dating for marriage. I'm actually excited to meet Emily."
The blonde scoffed, "well she had a great time tonight. And she actually might kind of like you."
"That's great!" Zay exclaimed and patted his friend on the shoulder.
"It is, sounds really unsure." His green eyes were puzzled even though he was happy to hear the word 'like'.
"For her, that's great," the blue eyed woman explained, "she said she tried to scare you off so I'll apologize for that, but thank you for not running off."
"Why would I? She's so beautiful and funny and sweet-"
"DOWN BOY!"
His girlfriend laughed, "She's had bad luck with men. So you not running off is a plus."
He still didn't understand why men would run away from her, "maybe she's just been dating the wrong men."
"Who said I was just talking about dating?"
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