After we ate dinner, Tyler gave Colt a bath and is reading him a story while I finish up the dishes. I reach into the sink and grab another dirty dish and my mind wanders, thinking about how things could be if Tyler becomes a permanent fixture in our lives.
I can see him teaching Colt how to ride a bike and the two of us sitting out on the patio after putting him to bed, with a glass of wine. All these images filter through my mind like a slideshow of what my future could hold if I let it, but there is something holding me back. I need to tell him about Colt, but every time I can’t quite find the right time to bring it up. One thing is for certain, the longer I wait the harder it will be to tell him.
“Colt’s all tucked in. Story read, and he’s ready for his momma to give him a goodnight kiss,” Tyler says as he turns the corner into the kitchen.
I smile at him over my shoulder. “Thanks so much.” I rinse the dish in my hands and place it in the drying rack before drying my hands with a nearby towel. “I’ll be right back.”
I brush past Tyler and head toward Colt’s room, pushing the door open slightly. I sigh as I find him fast asleep. I tiptoe over to his bed, place a light kiss on his forehead and double check that his nightlight is on before heading back out of the room, flicking the overhead light off on my way out.
When I round the corner to the kitchen, Tyler has finished the dishes and wiping down the counters. “Be careful, I could get used to this kind of treatment.”
Tyler places the sponge on the back of the sink before drying his hands and coming toward me. I melt into him as he wraps his arms around me and places a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “You should. You deserve to be treated like a queen.”
I sigh, wrapping my arms around him. I could get used to this, the three of us here and together. Just like a proper family.
We stand there in silence, neither one of us in a rush to move. “I should get going. We both have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” I unwrap my arms from his waist, stepping out of his embrace.
“You’re right, even though I would much rather you stayed the night.”
“Lu, you have no idea how much I want to, but we both know neither of us would get any sleep.” He lifts my chin with his hand, before giving me a chaste kiss. “Now I will leave before I change my mind. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I smile shyly at him and follow him to the front door, watching as he makes his way to the borrowed truck parked in the driveway. He quickly hops in, waving out of the window before he pulls out and heads toward home.
Once he disappears from sight, I shut the door tightly and lock it. Quickly making my way to my bedroom, I don’t even bother to change. Just drop my pants to the floor and climb into the bed.
As sleep overtakes me, images of what life could be with Tyler once again fill my mind, and I have no desire to stop them.
“That’s it!” Haddie screeches from the other side of the table. “You spend one amazing night together and then nothing. How can I live vicariously through you if you don’t have any juicy details to share?”
Rylee and I both laugh at her response from our places at the table. The three of us decided to meet for lunch since we haven’t had much time to spend together over the last few weeks.
“It’s not for lack of trying. We’ve both been super busy with work. Tyler is finishing up the engine for Colton and I had the auction and benefit to finish up.” I take a sip of my margarita before I continue. “We saw each other at the auction, but with his date and all, it made it a little hard to talk to each other.”
“Date? You mean the old lady that paid a pretty penny for his time,” Rylee chimes in from besides me. “I don't know why he even continued to compete in the bachelor auction. From what I can see you two are a lot more than just friends.”
My cheeks pink in embarrassment. “It was for a good cause! We raised a sizeable amount of money for Corporate Cares.”
“Very true, but you missed a prime opportunity to spend more time together.”
I roll my eyes at both of them. “We are planning to get together later today. Tyler wants Colt and me to come to the track while he tests the new engine he just rebuilt for Colton.”
Rylee smiles. “He is so proud of that thing. Colton said that he has been working day and night to get that thing ready for his next race. I mean it’s just a backup engine. I don’t know why he put in so much work.”
Just as I’m about to chime in, my cell phone rings. Lifting it off the table a small smile covers my face before I hit the green button and answer. “Hey, Ty,” I say as Rylee and Haddie make kissy faces at me.
“Hey, beautiful. Are we still on for tonight? I’m gonna test the engine a little earlier than planned, but we can still meet here at the track if you want.”
My shoulders deflate slightly. “Sure, but Colt was looking forward to watching you race around the track.” I hate that I’m using my son
