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“Look, I get how you might be skeptical about me living so close to Ryan, but if we’re going to continue to date, you’re going to need to trust me.”
“I understand that. But I’m sure if the situation were reversed, you’d have some reservations.”
She nods her agreement.
“This doesn’t change my mind about anything to do with us. I still want to continue spending time with you,” I say.
“Good. I think once you meet Ryan, and see us together, you’ll realize there are no romantic feelings between the two of us.”
“Probably,” I say, but I’m not sure I believe that. What guy in his right mind wouldn’t want Evie? She’s the total package. He could be biding his time, hoping they’ll end up back together at some point.
“I decided which is my favorite coffee,” she says.
“Which one?” I ask, glad for the change of subject. I don’t want our time together to be wasted and lost in negative thoughts.
“The first. They’ve all been amazing but nothing hits the same way that one does. I now have a new favorite iced coffee drink to order.”
“Keep the card with all the details so you can have it again sometime.”
“Does that mean you’re going to bring me back here?” She looks hopeful.
“Does that mean you want me to?” I counter.
She smiles. “Definitely.”
“Then we’ll come back here again soon.”
* * *
“You’re quiet,” I say. “Something on your mind?”
“Oh, sorry.” She laughs. “I was trying to remember if I have clean work clothes for the morning. Being an adult is so exciting.”
“Right? I have an all new appreciation for my parents now that I’m on my own.”
“I wish I could agree with you on that, but I think it’s the opposite for me. Being on my own and raising Tillie has made me even more aware of my own parents’ shortcomings. I hope I can be everything Tillie needs in a mother. One thing I know with absolute certainty is she’ll never have to wonder if she’s loved. And she’ll know my love isn’t conditional.”
“I haven’t met Tillie, but you seem like a wonderful mom to me. She’s lucky to have you.”
“I’m the lucky one.”
I pull the truck into her driveway, stopping behind her car. Glancing at the clock, I see it’s ten thirty.
“She’ll be asleep now?” I ask.
“Oh God, yes. She went to bed before I left and she’s been a sound sleeper since she was a baby.”
“Does she stay with you at night or her dad?”
“Tonight, she’s in her room at Ryan’s. Tomorrow night, she’ll be in her room at my house.”
“Do the two of you have a set schedule you follow?”
“No, nothing concrete. It depends on my work schedule. If I’m home close to her bedtime, she sleeps at Ryan’s. It’s easier and less stressful on everyone that way. And even when she’s at her dad’s, she’s still near me.”
“Right.”
“I don’t want to cut our time together short but I need to get to sleep soon. I’m not an early morning person and tomorrow I need to pretend I am.”
