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“Maybe. But then I won’t get what I want now.” Our eyes met, and I wondered if what I wanted might change if I met someone who made me question everything. Was Easton that guy?
“And what is that?”
I drew in a breath, steadying myself as I prepared to say my dreams out loud for the first time. “My own little slice of heaven on the water.”
He shifted, so his elbows rested on the table between us. “Why don’t you live in your grandfather’s house?”
“I need to buy out Logan’s half.” In reality, I couldn’t afford a place on the water. I just wanted something nicer than what I had.
“I’ve never had to worry about having enough money. My trust fund’s always been there as a backup. It’s how I started my business. I inherited my grandfather’s home. Everything came easy.”
His words should have sounded cocky, but they didn’t. I heard the underlying pain. “It doesn’t sound like connecting with people has come easy.”
His eyes flashed with something—longing? It was gone before I could settle on an emotion. “You want to get out of here?”
“Absolutely.” I had a little bit of time before I needed to pick up Maddie. I wasn’t sure how long Easton would be around, and I wanted to enjoy every second of whatever was building between us.
I wasn’t sure if he would let it evolve naturally or if he’d walk away at some point.
At his house, we kissed on the driveway. We barely managed to unlock the door and shut it before our hands were ripping off each other’s clothes. It was desperate, yet it felt a lot like coming home again.
He maneuvered us to his bedroom off the kitchen. With the water view as our backdrop, he lowered me to the bed, devouring me with his hands and mouth. I knew I’d never be the same. He’d return to Baltimore, and I’d be left to pick up the pieces. But I couldn’t bring myself to care. Easton was the first man who made me think there might be a guy out there for me. Someone who couldn’t live without me. Someone who’d accept my daughter in their life.
I wasn’t looking for a man for me. I wanted someone for our family, and I wouldn’t settle for less.
When he entered me this time, it felt like more. Like a promise of something. I held onto that feeling even though I knew it was fleeting.
He held me tight to him as we crested together. My heart fluttering almost painfully in my chest. My body wanted to claim him then, but my brain knew it was a big step for a guy like him. He’d never been serious about anyone. Would he stick around, or would he freak out about commitment and head back to what was familiar? His lonely existence in Annapolis.
The need to protect yourself and keep to the status quo was always stronger than branching out into something new. No matter how badly you wanted something, it didn’t mean you’d reach out and grab it. I couldn’t forget that.
CHAPTER5
Easton
Once the contract for sale of the building was accepted, I went to Annapolis to meet with my financial advisor to figure out what I needed for the second location. I wanted to ensure my Annapolis manager was up to the task of running the place without me.
But I wanted to return to Chestertown as quickly as I could. I only spent a short amount of time with Riley and even less time with her daughter, Maddie, and I wanted more. For the first time in my life, I was questioning everything. My lifestyle, my home, and my future.
Ever since I returned home, I felt lost. Like I’d left something in Chestertown.
I talked to Riley every night on the phone, and we texted throughout the day. I sent her and Maddie flowers each week. Maddie popped on the video calls occasionally with funny jokes and anecdotes about kids in her classes.
I wanted to be closer to my girls. That’s how I’d started to think about them. I was quickly falling for Riley, and I wanted to get to know Maddie better, too. I didn’t want to just date her mother. I wanted to be involved in Maddie’s life. Get to know what she loved to do, go to her activities, and cheer her on. I had a pretty good idea of what I was missing as a kid from my parents, so I knew what I’d need to do for Maddie.
I didn’t want to be the guy dating her mother. I wanted to be a father figure. It was strange because before I’d met Riley, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to be a dad. Now I wanted to be part of Maddie’s life, maybe even have some kids of my own. It was overwhelming at times. Being away from them, wanting something that seemed a little out of reach.
When things were more settled in Annapolis, I packed up my things and made the drive to Chestertown. I wasn’t escaping; I was moving toward my future.
I hadn’t told Riley or Maddie I was coming. I wanted to surprise them, so I’d been purposely vague with my plans. I hadn’t wanted to make any promises until I knew for sure I was moving.
I kept the house in Annapolis because I’d need to return to check on the store, but my home base would be in Chestertown. And if the second store was successful, I hoped to open additional stores on the shore.
It was Maddie’s twelfth birthday, and I knew they were celebrating by renting out the movie theater for her friends. Riley had been stressed about it for a couple of weeks. I didn’t want to miss Maddie’s birthday, but I also wanted to be there to support Riley. I’d only told Logan that I was coming.
Thankfully, he promised to keep my secret. I think he was secretly rooting for me to win Riley’s heart. He’d mentioned that Maddie’s father wasn’t coming.
I dropped my things at the house and headed to the theater. When I arrived, food and drinks were set up in the back, and the girls were already seated, waiting for the movie to begin.
