“Thank you.” Since I wasn’t sure how long it would take me to drop Gabby off, I got ready before we left. I’m not an over-the-top girl. I’ve always loved dressing up and going out in college, but you learn how to be simple and comfortable when you’re trying to get ready, balancing a baby in one arm.
Rhyland has been pretty secretive about what he’s planned, so I went with a simple floral off-the-shoulder maxi dress that I had found at my favorite boutique in town called Dress My Cupcake. It’s comfortable and versatile, while the slit up the right thigh will drive Rhyland mad. There’s a slight curl to my hair that I wish I could say was from a curling iron, but it’s actually more so from the messy bun I had in my hair. I call ittired mom chic.
“So, are you excited about your date?”
“Uh-huh.” I keep my answer simple, thankful that I skirted around the truth once again and told her I was going out on a date—just failed to mention that it was the man who stood up at her wedding as the best man. “A little nervous,” I admit honestly.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’m proud of you, you know, for getting back out there. Now, get out of here. We’re going to be just fine. Won’t we, Gabs?” The last sentence she says in a silly baby voice, tickling Gabby’s belly.
Reality sets in, and I hesitate. I’m leaving and not taking Gabby with me. Tears fill my eyes once again, but I don’t want tolet them fall. I know I’m being silly since I leave her at Mom’s all the time.
“Hey.” Hollie reaches out and pulls me down on the couch beside her. She gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “It’s going to be fine. Go on and enjoy yourself tonight. If we encounter any problems, you know that neither of us will hesitate to reach out, and if you need to check in regularly, you know I won’t judge or make fun of you.” She pauses. “For the first five messages. Then all bets are off.” We both laugh, and I’m thankful for her trying to ease the emotion flooding my veins.
“Now, shoo.” She gives me a playful shove.
“Okay, okay.” I hold my hands up innocently and can’t help but laugh. What happened to the shy girl my brother had first met? She’s come into her own since she and Ollie got together, and she’s become quite bossy.
I scoop Gabby out of Hollie’s arms. “You be good for Auntie and Uncle Ol. I love you, sweet girl.” I press a kiss to her forehead and pass her back to Hollie before I cling her to my chest and run for the hills.
Hollie walks me to the door, then leans against the open doorframe and shouts, “Have fun! Be good or not.”
I laugh as I get into my car alone. My mind is swirling as I watch more distance put between me and my daughter as I back out of the driveway. Hollie is waving Gabby’s hand, and I smile as I wave back and pull off.
I can do this.Now, time to go get my man.
When I pull into our driveway, I frown that the spot beside me is still empty. He’s not having second thoughts, is he?
The house is quiet—too quiet—when I walk inside. Maybe a small glass of wine will help settle my nerves. I’m only just reaching for a wineglass from the cabinet when the doorbell rings. Memories of the other night and Joel being on the otherside spike my heart rate. I wipe my sweaty palms down my dress as I walk toward the door. Who could that be?
When I open the door, my jaw drops for a second time.
“Hey, beautiful,” Rhyland says as his eyes devour me.
My wide smile quickly turns into a frown. “Rhyland? What are you doing? Did you lose your key or something?”
He steps inside the house and shakes his head. I’m confused. “I told you we were redoing your first date. The perfect gentleman would have picked you up and brought you these.” A bouquet of vibrant-colored wildflowers appears from behind his back.
“Oh, Rhy, they’re beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.” He motions for me to spin, and I comply. “No, I take that back,” he says, running his hand over his jaw. “You are stunning.” He enunciates each word with each step, closing the distance between us.
I let out a squeak of surprise when his arms wrap around my waist, hauling me into his body. His hands roam over the material covering my ass.
“And here I thought you said something about being a perfect gentleman.”
A devilish smirk dances over his lips. “Well, you can’t blame me when you look so tempting in this dress.”
There’s an intensity behind his kiss, desperate almost. A soft whimper leaves my lips when his fingers tangle in my hair.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” Rhyland clears his throat and steps back, running his hand down his shirt. It’s then that I finally take in his attire. A gray dress shirt with his sleeves rolled up—hello, sexy.And he had the nerve to call me a tease—and black dress pants with a quite noticeable bulge. “Now, back to being a perfect gentleman and getting you out of here before I spread you out on the stairs and take full advantage of this slit in your dress. God, you’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?”
Is that last statement aimed at me? Or is Rhy cursing the Lord above?
“Are you ready to go?” I nod and grab my bag from the table by the door.
I’m still unsure where we’re going as Rhyland pulls out of our driveway. We make small talk about our day, and eventually, the conversation leads to Gabby. My mind wanders to how she is doing. Is she being good for her aunt and uncle? Does she even notice that I’m not there? God, I hope she doesn’t think I’m abandoning her—like her father did. The last thought has my hands fidgeting in my lap and my heart squeezing. I can’t let my thoughts cloud my excitement about tonight.
“Hey,” Rhyland says, placing his hand on my thigh as we stop at a stoplight. The feel of his skin on my exposed skin, thanks to this dress, sends a shiver up my spine. Why did he have to suggest that dirty scenario before we left? When I look his way, I find him smirking. “You doing okay over there?”
