* * *
Rae sat at her desk,a wistful edge to her happiness for Dylan. She’d known he was anxious about how the employees would take the news. He must feel gratified at their enthusiastic response.
As she went through her books, Rae’s thoughts drifted back to the story Amelia had told about Micah’s childhood family. What if his mother had received advice like Jasmine’s friend? Like Rae had. He’d have been part of a family with two children instead of six. Rae knew how much he loved all of his siblings. As Amelia had said, he didn’t treat any of them differently.
“What makes you so somber this morning?” Jason asked quietly as he slipped into the chair by her desk.
Rae startled and brought her hands to her chest. “You about scared me to death.”
“Sorry. You seem preoccupied. Is it because of the change in management?”
“No. I’ve known that was coming since the beginning.”
“I wondered if you had, considering how close you and Dylan are.” Jason arched a brow, his expression approving. “It’s good to know you can keep a secret.”
“It wasn’t my secret to share,” she said. “Can I help you with anything?"
“Yes,” he said with a grin. “I’d like to take you to dinner.”
“I’d love to get out, but I’d have to see if I can get a babysitter first.”
“What about Dylan?” Jason asked. “Isn’t he your go-to guy for that?”
“He’s been busy a lot lately.” Rae squeezed her pencil, glancing away.
“I thought you two were best friends.”
“We were.” She winced; she hadn’t meant to say that.
“Were? That doesn’t sound good.”
It wasn’t. Rae’s throat tightened.
Jason leaned forward, looking concerned, and asked softly, “What’s going on, Rae?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head, unable to speak.
“Is it him . . . or you?”
Her, of course, but she wasn’t going to tell Jason that.
“Look, you and Dylan are a fit. It’s not selfish of you to love him. He’s a good man, and he’d be a great father to your children.”
Surprised, Rae glanced up and met his gaze. There was nothing fake there, only complete sincerity.
“I thought you didn’t like him.” She squeezed the pencil tighter, wondering if she should even be talking about this to Jason.
“That’s my bad, not his. I saw him as competition, but then I realized he was serious about you and your children. Let me ask you this.” Jason reached over and pulled the pencil from her grasp. “What has heeverdone to make you think he wouldn’t treat your children well?”
Rae said nothing.
“Dylan Rademaker is the real thing. I’ve never seen him act out of character—because itishis character. Unlike me, what you see is what you get—all the time. He’s helpful, friendly, courteous. A Boy Scout!” Jason said the last with a frown.
For the first time a touch of humor returned to her. “Feeling a little insecure?”
“No, just wondering if I could be more than I am.” For a second, Jason’s eyes clouded like he was thinking of something else and then he blinked. “I know you told me you’d never get involved before your children are adults. In some cases, that’d be a good decision. I know plenty of women who make really bad choices in men. But your Mike was a good man, a good father, right?”
Rae nodded. She wanted to believe what he was saying, and it was wearing on her resolve.
