I make a gagging gesture from the visual she’s just planted in my brain. “Let me clarify, Lorraine. Can we please stop talking about ALL vaginas now?”

She puts her arm around my shoulders. “C’mon. Let’s go get you some chocolate and get you back to that handsome little boy waiting at home.”

I smile as we start walking. “That sounds perfect.”

RILEY

THANK FUCK IT’S FINALLY Friday. This week has been insane. I’ve been trying to get settled in my new job during the day while unpacking my shit at night. It’s been four days since I’ve seen Devyn and I’m climbing the walls. The kid thing really threw me off but now that I’ve had a few days to sit on it, I’ve decided it doesn’t have to change my plans. I came here with the number one goal of getting her back into my life. Yeah, she has a kid, but it’s not like I haven’t dated anyone these past five years. It could’ve just as easily happened to me. If she’s willing to let me back into her life, I can figure out how to add her offspring into the equation.

It’s nine o’clock and I’m starving. My new condo is in the South Lake Union district so thankfully, I have tons of options within walking distance. I have a mad craving for some pasta so I decide to check out the Italian place on the corner.

The hostess greets me with a smile as I walk in the door. “Welcome to Bugatti’s. Table for one?”

I shake my head. “No, I’d like to get some takeout.”

She grabs a menu and nods. “Follow me. You can order in the bar when you’re ready and have a drink while you wait.”

I take a seat directly in front of the bartender. “This is Mike,” the hostess says. “Let him know when you’re ready to order.”

I open my menu. “Thanks.”

Mike approaches me after a few minutes. “Have you decided?”

I nod. “Yes. I’ll have the Lasagna Bolognese to go and a pint of IPA while I wait.”

He nods and takes my menu. He pours my beer and sets the chilled glass on the bar. “Very good choice. The lasagna will take about twenty minutes.”

DEVYN

I’M TRYING TO FINISH my third glass of Chardonnay when Jackson takes the glass away from me. “Hey, slow down there, Devyn. Since when are you a binge drinker?”

I scowl at him. “It’s been a rough week. Can I have my glass back please?”

He hands it back to me. “Fine. But I’m coming home with you afterwards. I’m not comfortable with you being drunk around Nathan.”

I roll my eyes. “And you think I would be? Nathan is spending the night at Rainey’s. She was complaining about how little time she’s had with him lately. She’s taking him to the zoo in the morning.”

In reality, she knew what a crappy week I’ve had and wanted to help out. Even though I haven’t told her about my past with Riley, she senses something big is going on. Hence, my need for something stronger than wine. Maybe Jackson won’t notice if I sneak off to the bar.

He narrows his eyes at me. “Regardless, I will feel much better knowing you’re taken care of tonight.”

“Jesus, Jackson. Take off the kid gloves.”

He winces. “What is going on with you? Are you trying to start an argument? What did I do to deserve this?”

I blow a hair out of my face. “Nothing. I’m sorry. Maybe a dinner date wasn’t the best idea tonight. I’m clearly in a bad mood and I shouldn’t be taking it out on you.”

“What? I haven’t seen you all week.” He reaches across the table and begins rubbing his thumb over my hand. “Besides, if Nathan really is gone for the night, there’s no reason why we can’t go back to my place. It’s less than a block away and we haven’t been alone in weeks. If you’d agree to move in with me already, we wouldn’t have to worry about finding time to be together.”

Ugh, not this again. Jackson and I have been seeing each other for two and a half years. I can sense that he’s getting frustrated with the plateau we’ve been on lately. He really has been good to me and Nathan but for some reason I can never get past the dating portion of our relationship. I’m not willing to uproot Nathan from the only home he’s ever known unless I know for sure that I have a future with someone. Jackson is a good man, and I care for him, but I don’t know if I can see us being together long term. I refuse to examine the reasons behind that right now.

“Please don’t do this.”

“Do what?” he asks. “Want to take care of you? Love you? God, I’m such a jerk.”

I frown. “That’s not what I meant. I’m sorry. I really don’t want to argue. Your place tonight sounds nice. Let me just hit the bathroom real quick and then we can go.”

He smiles. “I’ll take care of the bill and meet you outside.”

Okay, I know this is awful, but bathroom was really code for bar. Jackson only has wine at his house and after his drink snatching earlier, I doubt he’ll be in any hurry to offer me any. Since becoming a mother, I can count on one hand how many times I’ve had more than two drinks with dinner, but this week certainly warranted it. I’ve been working my butt off trying to get this big promotion. As if that wasn’t enough, Riley’s sudden reappearance is really messing with my head.

I squeeze in between two stools at the crowded bar and signal the bartender. “A double of Maker’s Mark, please.”

Despite being so busy, he grabs a small glass and pours my drink right away. I down the contents in two gulps and slam the empty on the bar. I dig a twenty out of my purse and place it on the counter.

A large hand slides the bill back to me. “I got this.”

I shiver and it’s not from the bourbon. That deep voice rolls over me like honey. Always has, whether I want to admit it or not. I look to my left and see Riley grinning at me like an idiot.

“In all the bars, in all the cities, you walk into mine. Two times in one week. Are you following me? Or am I just the luckiest sonofabitch alive?”

I roll my eyes and smile despite my internal refusal to do so. Damn him. “Smooth, Rye. Is that your new pickup line these days?”

“Depends. Is it working?”

I giggle. Giggle! WTH? I blame the alcohol. Finally gathering my proverbial balls, I say, “Thanks for the offer, but I can pay for my own drink. I need to go.” I leave the twenty on the bar and turn to walk away.

He grabs my arm. “Devyn, wait.”

I glare at him. “I waited for two years, Riley. I think that’s long enough, don’t you?”

He drops my arm. “What? What does that mean?”

I roll my eyes and resume my path to the front door. “Never mind. Forget I said anything.”

He follows me. “Never mind, my ass! What does that mean, Devyn?”

I finally make it outside and take a deep breath of fresh air. It’s pouring rain and I’m getting soaked but I couldn’t care less. “It means that I’m done waiting for you, Riley!” I scream. “I’m done waiting for you to grow up and take care of your responsibilities. I’m done pretending that you’ll come to your senses one day and realize what you gave up!”

I’m crying hysterically at this point. Again, totally the alcohol’s fault. I can’t handle my liquor like I used to.

“What?” he shouts. “You’re not making any sense!”

“Oh, screw y—”

“Devyn, honey, what’s going on?” Jackson steps up to me and holds his umbrella over my head. A little too late, but I appreciate the effort. He looks between me and Riley. “Who’s this, babe?”

Riley glares at Jackson. “Who the fuck are you?”

Jackson returns his glare and motions for me to walk away with him. “Come on, honey. Let’s get you home.”

Riley’s mouth drops open. “Devyn, who is this guy?”

I poke him in the chest. “You lost the right to ask five years ago, Riley!” I loop my arm through Jackson’s elbow. “Let’s go home, babe.”

I don’t risk glancing backwards as we make the short trip to Jackson’s building.