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“I’m glad things seem to be working out for you two.”
“Okay.” I shrug.
“I mean it. I know he makes you happy.”
I look at him and narrow my eyes. “Why do I feel like you’re only doing this now because you have a fiancée?”
He shrugs, clearly unembarrassed. “Truce?” He puts his hand out between us.
With Ryder getting older, I don’t have to worry so much about a woman taking my spot as his mother. He can handle himself. His reaction to Dom and me has been so mature, but I don’t want him thinking women are interchangeable either.
Keeping my son’s best interests in mind, I shake his hand.
“Good.”
I nod, looking at the gate again.
“Where is the prince anyway?”
“On his way.” I wonder if it’s a lie though, because Dom hasn’t messaged me at all today. If I add up everything, I’m afraid he’s high-tailing it out of my life again. He took the ring, he refused the sex I offered this morning, he’s late for the game, and he hasn’t called.
But I try to push those fears out of my head, because this isn’t the old Dom and Val. This is the new, improved version. I know he’ll show.
* * *
He didn’t show.
I had to stand there like an idiot without Dom, making the excuse that he shot me a text and was stuck at work.
Ryder decides he’s going out with his friends after. “Do you mind if I spend the night at Dad’s?”
His friends already trying to pull him away, saying they gotta go.
“Sure.” I know better than to give him a hug before he takes off, so I nod and smile.
Max tells him not to be too late and to remember his curfew.
On my way to the car, I pull out my phone to text Dom again, but there’s already a message waiting for me.
Dom: Tonight’s a bust. Sorry. Work.
I don’t even bother responding. This is the Dom from years before. The one who consistently put work first and treated me like an afterthought.
“You wanna go get coffee?” Max asks, pulling me back to the present.
“No. But thank you.”
“Gonna go track him down?” Max stuffs his hands into his jacket, rocking back on his heels.
“I’m going to surprise him at work and fuck him on his desk. Do you want more details?”
His perma-smile erases off his face, and I flag down a taxi.
“Bye, Max. Let’s keep this cordial relationship going. Next time bring the fiancée.” I get in, not at all amused by him.
The taxi ride takes longer because it’s Friday night and everyone and their mother comes into the city. I slide out once we reach Dom’s office building. I have no idea if I can get up there. Security might be gone for the day, which means I’d have to have a key. The last time I came and surprised him after hours, I got lucky and someone was leaving. Hopefully it’s the same this time around.
I get into the lobby and see a man sitting behind the security desk. Score.
