“Tuck Delray?” Declan asks casually, lifting his beer like I’m not sitting across from him on a date thinking about another man.
I nod. “Yes.”
“I figured that’s who you meant.” He gestures with a small tilt of his head toward Tanner. “Considering I’m sitting beside Tanner Bang.”
We all laugh at that and then I change the subject. “You read romance?”
“I read everything,” he says easily.
Honestly he’s a very impressive man. “And you write children’s books.”
A warmth settles over his features. “Yeah,” he says quietly. “I love writing for kids. I love seeing their faces when they slip into magical worlds.”
It catches me off guard—that sincerity. That quiet kind of passion that doesn’t need to be loud to be real.
For a split second, a question rises—why doesn’t he have any kids of his own?—but I shove it down just as quickly. First date. Boundaries. Normal people don’t interrogate life choices over appetizers.
“Tell me about your boys, Maria.”
The server appears then, plates balanced expertly along their arm, and I lean back to make room as dishes are set down in front of us. The rich scent of garlic and butter curls up from my pasta. I inhale. “This looks delicious.”
“I love this place,” Maeve says, already reaching for her fork. “These days we just don’t get out enough.”
“Stella keeps us on our toes,” Tanner adds, shaking his head, but there’s no mistaking the love in his voice.
I laugh softly. “She’s a sweetie.” Then the next words slip out before I can stop them, softer, almost wistful. “Someday I’d like to have a little girl.”
The second those words are out of my mouth, my stomach drops. My gaze snaps to Declan. God, what must he think I’m saying…suggesting?
What is wrong with me?
“Careful what you wish for,” Tanner says, but he’s smiling, eyes bright with love.
Maeve nudges me with her elbow. “Honestly, little girls are the best. But someday, I want a boy.”
I smile, but my mind drifts—to Lucas, to Josh. To smelly skates by the door and video game controllers left on the couch and the constant, chaotic hum of my life.
And then I remember Declan’s question. “My boys are sixteen and fourteen,” I say, turning back to him. “They’re busy. Sports, gaming. Now girls.” I huff out a small laugh. “Lucas just got his license, so that’s made my life a whole lot easier.”
“They’re amazing boys,” Maeve adds, and something warm blooms in my chest as I glance at her. “And they’re so good with Stella. Honestly, they’d be incredible big brothers.”
“With the age gap…” I twirl my pasta, watching it wind around my fork, giving myself a second before I say it. “They’d practically be father figures.” I take a bit, chewing slowly, as I think about their need for a father figure. “You actually met Lucas,” I add, glancing back at Declan.
His brows lift. “I have?”
“When you did a school visit.”
He leans back slightly, considering, his expression thoughtful. “I do see a lot of students,” he admits with a small smile. “The name doesn’t ring a bell, but…maybe when I meet him, it’ll trigger something.”
Under the table, Maeve nudges me. I flick my eyes toward her, just for a second, and I know she heard it too. Declan is open to something more.
Isn’t this what I said I wanted? A man who doesn’t flinch at kids, or chaos, or the reality of a ready-made family. A man who leans in instead of backing away.
It should feel right. It should feel easy. So why does something inside me hesitate? Why does it feel like I’m standing in front of something good…while still looking over my shoulder?
God.
Has Tuck ruined me for anyone else?
