“Ryleigh, for real?”
She picked up her drink and busied herself stirring with the straw. “It was a slow build.” She glanced at him. “What did Dustin say about me when we were together?”
“Not much. He knows we’re friends, so I’m not someone he would go to for advice or to pour out his heart. As for any general comments, I won’t discuss them with you.”
“You can be annoying.”
“Yes, it’s one of my best features.”
She was less sure about that. Alex was a good-looking man who loved his son. He was caring, thoughtful and funny. Kim had chosen well, she thought idly. She’d found the one and she’d said yes. Ryleigh wanted a little of that good fortune for herself.
“Okay, we’ve dissected my sad little life long enough. How are you doing these days? Where are you in your healing process?”
She expected him to brush off the question as he usually did, but he surprised her by admitting, “Things are better.”
“Really? I’m glad you’re in less pain. Do you feel like you’ve found whatever your new normal is?”
He shrugged. “No, but I’m getting closer. Kim is still a big part of our lives, but Noah and I have a good routine. He’ll never be the kid he was. He can’t lose his mom and then just be fine, but he’s strong and he’s happy. That’s what matters.”
“You matter, too.”
“I know but it’s different. I am thinking about...” He paused, then looked away.
“Dating?” she asked eagerly. “Do you want me to set you up?”
“Absolutely not. I don’t want to date.” He glanced around, as if judging how close the other parents were, then lowered his voice. “I wouldn’t mind having sex.”
She tried to process that. “You don’t want to date but you want to have sex?”
“Yes.”
She didn’t understand. “Like with a hooker?”
He flinched. “No. Stop. Don’t say that. No.”
She tried not to smile. “So that’s no?”
“You’re impossible.”
“I’m actually not. So you’re looking to hook up without getting emotionally involved. Good luck with that.”
“Thanks.” He muttered something that sounded a lot like “A hooker. Absolutely not,” but she wasn’t sure.
“Oh, Alex, we’re both in a pickle for sure,” she said.
“You have San Diego.”
“Do I? It’s really just memories and a theory. I haven’t been back in over a decade. Do I really want to move to somewhere I don’t know anyone and be alone?”
“Jax has been getting to you.”
“She’s very anti-move. She played the ‘but you’ll miss seeing Gentry and Xander grow up’ card. I’m bitter about it but she’s not wrong. If I did move, I’d miss out on a lot. Plus I love my job.”
“What would you gain?” he asked. “You’ve talked about needing to shake up your life.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Never. I don’t want you to go, either, but I also want you to be happy.”
