Chapter 20
Payton
“ T hank you so much for watching Gabby last minute.” I set down the travel bassinet beside the rest of the items I had already brought in.
“Of course. You know I’m always up for watching her.
All you have to do is ask.” Hollie smirks as she takes in the pile.
Did I go overboard with what I brought to my brother’s house?
Maybe. But this is Gabby’s first official sleepover, after all.
The other night doesn’t count since I was still in the same house, just a different room.
I’m not sure if the butterflies in my stomach are because I will be away from Gabby or if they’re from the fact that I’m going to have an uninterrupted evening with Rhyland.
After all, this is Rhyland freaking Cole.
My teenage self is freaking the fuck out.
Okay, that’s not entirely true. It’s my present self that is freaking the fuck out, while my teenage self is giddy that all her dreams are coming true.
Out of all the women in the world, Rhyland chose me.
“Are you even listening to me?” Hollie nudges my side with her elbow.
I shake out of the daze and find Hollie has moved even closer with a ridiculous smile on her face. “I’m sorry. What were you saying?”
Hollie rolls her eyes before glancing down at her niece in her arms, who is trying to shove her fist in her mouth, causing drool to drip all over Hollie’s shirt.
I think my brother has his work cut out for him if he thinks he’s going to get any Gabby snuggles without prying her out of his wife’s arms. “I was saying, to be honest, I’m surprised you didn’t ask Rhyland to watch her. ”
“What?” I pause, searching the diaper bag for a burp cloth, and slam my eyes shut. God, I hope Hollie didn’t notice my voice cracking. “Why would you think that?”
“I don’t know.” She sits on the couch and accepts the burp cloth from me. “You guys live together, for one, and it just seems like you two are getting closer.”
She knows. There’s no way she doesn’t know. Don’t panic, Payton, don’t panic. It’s not that I want to keep Hollie in the dark about what’s going on, but the last thing I want is to force her to keep this from her husband.
“And wasn’t it he who watched Gabby on the last date?
Not to mention—” She clears her throat. “—the, umm, incident where he came to your defense.” I sigh, knowing that she’s referencing the fight the other night at Tilley’s.
Of course she knows. Maybe this is the new fight heard round the world—or at least heard round our small town.
My body relaxes when I realize maybe she doesn’t actually know.
“Oh, yeah, right.” Breathe, Pay. Just a bit longer and you can escape.
“Ugh, I knew Joel was a dick, but to show up at Tilley’s with the she-devil…” Hollie trails off. Was that just a growl that left her lips? “Thank God Rhy put knuckle sandwiches on the menu.”
I snort at her terrible attempt at a joke.
“Your brother was so fired up when he got home. I was worried he was going to go hunt Joel down and throw his own punch or two.”
It’s not like he would have needed to look too far since he ended up on our doorstep. They would love to know that for once, I stood up to him and slammed the door in my face.
Tears burn behind my eyes, but I not only refuse to let any more out over that man but also to let him steal my thunder of my first date with Rhy. I close my eyes to get myself under control.
“Hey, you know you can talk to me about anything, right? Judgment-free zone here, I promise. I mean, you didn’t judge me when you learned I was only pretending to be your brother’s girlfriend.”
God, I love this girl. Hollie wears so many hats in my world—sister-in-law, partner in crime, best friend, and sounding board.
“It’s been a hell of a year, but look at you, look at this one. You are so strong, and you don’t even realize it. I just want you to remember that, and if you ever want to talk, I’m here.” Tell her, Payton. Just tell her. But I can’t tell my best friend if I expect Rhy to keep the same standard.
“I know, thank you. I’m just trying to move on from all of it. And to answer your original question, I had asked Rhy, but he said he had plans tonight. He left early this morning, and I haven’t actually seen him since.”
It’s not a lie. He left this morning for the farmer’s market, and he hasn’t returned home since. I wanted to go with him, but he refused, saying that he had some other things to do to get ready for tonight and that Gabby and I should enjoy the quiet at the house.
Hollie frowns as she adjusts Gabby in her lap. “Well, I’ll just forget that me and Uncle Ollie weren’t your first choice.” One day, Hollie is going to make an amazing mom.
“Speaking of Uncle Ollie, where is my lovely brother?”
“He ran to the store to grab some things for dinner.”
“You look hot today, by the way.” Hollie points up and down at my outfit. “If this is you moving on, then I so approve.”
“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 it tired 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 to let 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 other side 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?”
I nod. “Yeah, it’s just this is the first time Gabby has spent the full night away from me, and I guess I was just lost in my thoughts.”
“Just say the word and we end the night and go pick her up, okay?” And just like that, I think I fell even harder for him.
“No, I want this—with you.”
His hand moves from my thigh and grabs my hand, bringing our clasped hands to his lips. Oh hello, butterflies, nice of you to make another appearance.
“I want this, too, but just say the word. Really, I don’t mind. I know this might be a little harder on you.”
Tears burn behind my eyes. How did this man get to be so romantic and say the right things? And more importantly, how has someone not snatched him up?
A horn beeps behind us, causing our staring contest to end, and we both turn forward to realize the light is now green. Rhyland continues to drive but leaves our hands entwined. I can make it through tonight. I just need to focus on the present and remember that Gabby is in perfectly capable hands.
Eventually, Rhyland pulls into an all-too-familiar parking lot.
“Umm, why are we at work? Did you forget something?”
“No, this is where we’re going.” Rhy’s expression gives nothing away, as if it makes total sense. Maybe for him, but for me? Not so much. “Do you trust me?”
I nod without hesitation.
“Good.” He hops out of the truck and runs around to my side. When he opens the door and holds out his hand to help me down, I’m pretty sure I die a little on the inside. This freaking man is pulling out all the stops tonight.
“Why, thank you, kind sir. And they say chivalry is dead,” I joke, and he smirks.
“You are a queen and deserve to be treated as such.” Okay, now I’m officially dead.
“What happens if one of my brothers drives by? Will they stop if they see your truck?”
“Nah, they’re used to seeing my truck here at all hours of the night and on days off. I’ve spent probably more nights here than at home. Remember when I said I wasn’t home much when you moved in? It was because I was here and didn’t have a reason to be home alone.”
Rhyland pins me against the passenger door.
Tipping my chin with his forefinger, he presses his lips to mine, and if it weren’t for the truck holding me up behind me, I would’ve melted into a pile of goo right here in the parking lot.
Will all his kisses always feel like that?
Even when they’re brief, I feel them everywhere.
One thing is for sure: this man knows how to fucking kiss. I don’t want to think about all the practice he’s had over the years. Maybe in my head, I can just pretend he became a magical kisser by practicing on his pillow or hand and not on all the girls I remember him with growing up.
“Now, come on.” He smiles, lacing our fingers together and leading me toward the back entrance of Tilley’s.
Never once does he release my hand as he unlocks the door, steps inside, and turns off the alarm.
I have no idea what we are doing here or how the night will go, but I have to say I’m quite excited to find out what he has planned.