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“He likes you. He’s made that abundantly clear, and you won’t even give him two seconds of your time. For no good reason either.”
“No good reason? Matson is the best reason I have. He’s the only reason I need,” I said, trying to make my closest friend see my situation through my eyes. She knew about my past, about Matson’s father, and I couldn’t believe she was questioning my not wanting to go out with Ryan.
Sarin rolled her eyes. “But what does Matson have to do with Ryan? Seriously. I’m not a mom, so I don’t always understand your reasoning, but please try to explain it to me. And make it quick.” She tapped a finger on her wrist.
Is she for real? “In what universe is dating one of the hottest guys on the planet, who also happens to be a bartender, is featured on reality TV shows and online articles all the time, a good idea for someone like me?”
“I think in this universe. This one.” She pointed at the floor. “Hell, he might be just what you and Matson need.”
I sat back hard in my chair, staring at her in disbelief. “How does Matson need a bartender in his life? And how do I need a guy in my life who’s pursued by every single woman in the city?”
“So that’s what this is about? The fact that he’s a bartender and girls hit on him?” Sarin scoffed at me. “It’s just a job, Sofia.”
I shook my head and swallowed. “It’s not, though. He owns the bar, and he chooses to work there. That’s a lifestyle. It’s a single guy’s dream, and I’m a single mom.” I bugged out my eyes at her. “Pretty sure those two things don’t go together.”
“Well, I think you’re wrong.” She frowned, glancing at her watch. “Shit, I have to go. Put a pin in this conversation because we’re not done with it.”
Exhaling, I watched my best friend hurry away from my desk and toward her own.
Was I wrong? Glancing at the picture of Matson again, I smiled, knowing that I wasn’t. He was my first priority, and it was my job to provide a good role model for him, both as a boy and as a future man.
And I honestly couldn’t picture that role model being Ryan.
• • •
After pulling up into my parents’ driveway, I shut off the engine and started toward their house to get my son. Mom appeared in the doorway, her expression one I wasn’t sure that I’d seen before.
“What happened? Are you okay? Is Matson okay? Is Dad okay?” My stomach churned as scenarios raced through my head.
She gripped my shoulder and shushed me, then told me everyone was fine. “Derek came by the house earlier.” Her voice was calm and controlled, unlike my legs, and I reached out to steady myself.
“D-Derek?” I stuttered, unable to get his name out. “What did he want? What did he say?”
Regaining my composure, I looked around for my son and let out a relieved breath when I saw him sitting in the living room. Adrenaline surged, filling me with a feral protectiveness, like a mama bear who would attack anyone who threatened her cub.
“Oh my God, does he want custody of Matson?” My throat tightened, and I thought I might throw up all over my mom’s pink hydrangeas.
“I’m honestly not sure what he wanted, mija.”
“How can you not be sure? You talked to him, didn’t you? What did he say?”
“He said he stopped by to see how we were. He wanted to know how you and Matson were, and if you still lived at home.”
My head ached with the news. It had been over eight years since I’d heard from Derek. Eight years since he’d left for college after telling me to get an abortion. Why would he suddenly show up and start asking questions?
“Please tell me you didn’t tell him where I live.”
She clucked her tongue at me, her eyes narrowed. “Never. But I did tell him that you were happy, safe, and better off without him.”
A small smile twitched my lips. “I bet he loved that.” Derek had always been overly cocky and confident as a teenager, but I had no idea what kind of man he’d grown into. I assumed it was more of the same.
When Mom patted her hand above her heart, her tell for when she was uncomfortable, I asked, “What else happened?”
“I told him to leave and never come back.”
“And?”
“He said I’d better watch my mouth. That Matson was his son too, and I could count on him coming back. He got really angry.”
