The Opposite of Wild by Kylie Gilmore

his eyes bored into hers and his gray T-shirt stretched across his chest and biceps, blatantly advertising that he worked out. Her throat went dry.
    “Hey, Liz,” Shane said. “Happy Fourth.”
    “Liz,” Ryan said in a deep, husky voice that sent shivers through her.
    “I haven’t been here in years,” Maggie said, smiling and waving to Liz’s parents working in the back. “How’re ya, Clive? Heather? Business good?”
    “We’re good, Mrs. O’Hare,” Heather said with a smile. “What handsome grandsons you have.”
    “Don’t I know it!” Maggie said.
    “Business is good,” Clive called, pointing with his spatula. “Check out the line.”
    Maggie looked behind her. “Geez, they must have seen me and all gotten in line. I’m very influential that way.”
    Clive chuckled and turned back to the grill.
    “So what changed your mind about coming here this year?” Liz asked.
    “I said the hell with being tired,” Maggie proclaimed. “I’m staying up for fireworks. And the boys agreed to take me.”
    Shane shrugged. “It’s no problem.”
    “Next time, Shane should sell his ice cream with you all,” Maggie said.
    “Gran, you don’t have to speak for me,” Shane said, flushing red.
    “That’s a great idea,” Heather said. “We’d love to have you.”
    After Liz took their orders, Maggie said, “Come sit with us when you’re done here.”
    “I’m supposed to sit with Rachel,” Liz said.
    “Bring her along! We’ll be sitting by the parking lot exit to beat traffic. Trav’s holding our seats for us.”
    “I’ll try,” Liz said, though she had no intention of sitting through the fireworks next to his royal hotness.
    Maggie and Shane went to the pick-up area. Ryan just stood there, looking way too sexy for his own good.
    “I have to take the next person’s order,” Liz said, leaning to the side to look around him.
    Ryan stepped to the side, and after she took the next order, he said, “You look good in an apron.”
    She grabbed a hot dog bun and threw it at his head.
    He caught the bun right before it made impact and grinned devilishly. “You’re lucky you’re behind that counter.”
    She laughed. Then she realized she had to quit her job and wouldn’t have an excuse to see him or Maggie anymore. With Daisy gone, she didn’t feel right taking his money. Daisy had been very clear she wanted to do things on her own now.
    “I guess,” Liz said, suddenly choked up.
    He studied her curiously. “All right, I’ll see ya,” he said finally.
    She nodded and turned to the next person in line, purposely not looking at Ryan, though she could feel him watching her from where he stood with Shane and Maggie. She put extra effort into being cheerful for the customers.
    She helped her parents for another hour until her mom shooed her out. “It’s getting dark. Go ahead and see the fireworks. We’ll clean up here.”
    “It’s okay, Mom. I can help.” She wasn’t in the mood for fireworks.
    Just then Daisy appeared. “C’mon, Liz, it’s almost time.”
    And because it was her last night with Daisy, she took off her apron and followed her sister. As the crowd oohed and aahed over the colorful display, Liz thought of the baby and the little boy he’d become, and all the other families returning year after year. Her nephew would never know this tradition. He’d be part of new traditions out West, far, far from home.
    Next year, she’d be watching the fireworks with Rachel. Her time with Maggie a distant memory. She thought of Ryan, the way he teased her. No guy had ever joked around with her like he did. She didn’t know how to handle it—hated feeling off-kilter when he was around—but she had to admit, he was growing on her. If it hadn’t been for The Humiliation and his well-known reputation for dumping women after three dates, she might have even considered…something.
    The last firework display sailed into the air with a whistle, and her sister grinned at her and squeezed