The Mating Game: Big Bad Wolf(18)

She laughed. “Hello? Do you remember my Aunt Wynona beating you on the head with her purse? And at least your family is the good kind of crazy.”

He smiled ruefully as he handed her a beer. “What, exactly, is the good kind of crazy?”

“Well, they’re not mean or critical. They’re just…overenthusiastic.”

“That sure as hell describes them to a T.”

He saw that she was looking around the room. Ryker felt a prickle of self-consciousness. She came from some rich family who’d been born with silver spoons up their butts. “This place probably isn’t what you were expecting from being the fake mate of a big-time celebrity,” he said, trying not to sound defensive.

“I like this much better than your house in the city,” she said. “It feels warm and real. It’s a lot more like you.”

“You do?” he said, surprised. “The investors in my company own that apartment, and they designed it for me. They’ve got this image they want me to portray.”

“The image of a macho, swaggering showoff?”

“Pretty much.” He smiled at her. “Well, this place is all me, so I’m glad you like it. I actually have to go meet up with my board of directors just for a bit, and talk some strategy. You can help yourself to anything in the fridge. Will you be okay by yourself here for a few hours?”

“I’m a big girl, Ryker.”

“I know,” he said, with a wicked gleam in his eye. “That’s one of the things I like about you.”

* * * * *

She felt a warm glow wash over her as he left. She loved the way he looked at her, and how he made her feel. He’d just made a joke about her being larger – but unlike Frasier, who’d joked at her expense, Ryker made her feel like she wanted to laugh along with him.

She shook herself. She shouldn’t get used to this. She was here for a purpose – to get help building the rec center – and when that was done, she’d be gone.

She called up Wynona and told her where she was. She’d already texted Cadence and Larissa. She hadn’t told them why, just that she’d be staying with Ryker because it was pack tradition. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Wynona asked. “I feel terrible about this. It’s the first time I’ve ever questioned my instincts about match-making, and even worse, you’re my favorite niece.”

“Only niece,” Daisy pointed out. “And he’s not actually the worst guy for me to fake a mating with.”

“But everything about this is a lie,” Wynona fretted. She was silent for a minute. Then she said, “Then again, Ryker did pick you out on his own at the restaurant, the night I arranged your date.”

“He did?” Daisy said in surprise.

“Yep. He said he’d just seen a woman he wanted to get better acquainted with. And that woman was you.”

“He picked me out of all the women there?” Daisy said.

“Well, of course he did. You’re a hottie. You just need to start believing that about yourself,” Wynona said chidingly. “So maybe it was meant to be after all. Clients are pouring in, by the way. The publicity has been great.”

All the more reason to stick it out for a few weeks until the investors’ meeting.

Daisy glanced out the window.

Ryker’s family had come back and they were standing pressed up against the white picket fence, staring.

“That’s great, Winnie. I’ll keep you posted. I have to go,” she said.

She hung up and went to talk to his family.

“Greetings, crazy people,” she said.

“Don’t tell Ryker we’re here,” Harriet said, looking worried.

“We just couldn’t resist,” one of the women said. “Ryker finally found a nice girl, and we’re so excited!”

“Goodness, Marge, don’t make it sound like Ryker’s been running around with floozies,” Harriet said huffily. Marge looked just like Harriet; the two must be sisters, Daisy thought.

“Why not?” Marge said, looking puzzled. “I mean, he was.”

“Because she’s standing right here, she’s going to have my grandcubs, and we don’t want to scare her off,” Harriet said, smiling through her teeth.

“Yes, indeed, I am right here,” Daisy said, but she was trying not to laugh.

“Oh, did you hear us?” Harriet said, looking innocent.

“Listen, Ryker’s going to be gone for a couple hours,” Daisy said. “And you mentioned pie. Where is this pie?”

“Yes! Pie!” Harriet brightened. “I have several in the oven right now. Would you like to come to our house, and we’ll feed you and find out everything about you?”