“A little bit, but I also knew that you’d only want the best for me and you have always wanted me to be happy.”
“I have. I do.”
“So, my question to you now is why would you think that I don’t want the same for you?”
“I know you do. It’s just—”
“Weird, strange, new territory?”
A dry laugh bubbles out of me. “All of the above.”
“Exactly. But you and I aren’t exactly normal exes, are we?”
“Thank fuck for that.”
His eyes crinkle. “So, there’s nothing I want more than for you to actually get out there and live your life alongside everything else you’ve achieved. There’s never been a doubt that we love each other, Dee. It just ran its course. But I know more than anyone that you’re a good woman with a lot to give, and any decent man will see that.”
“Probably indecent ones too.”
“Only if you’re really lucky,” he retorts.
I bark out a laugh and shake my head.
“But seriously, I’m not going to go all jealous ex on you. Might screw with his head a bit, to keep him on his toes, but I want you happy, and I want to see you with someone who makes you happy.”
“Wow. So, it’s not hard?”
“Wouldn’t go that far. I was shitting myself before you met Sophie.”
“Yeah, and she knew about me.”
“To be fair, your vlog was blowing up, and you’d finished that local media tour, so I didn’t want to throw her in the deep end when she turned up to see you were in fact that Dee Duncan.”
“Probably a good plan there. But you had nothing to worry about. I knew you wouldn’t sleep around just because we weren’t together like that anymore.”
His lips twitch. “Probably should’ve while I had the chance.”
I snicker. “You’re as likely to do that as I am. We saved ourselves for our wedding night, for god’s sake. We missed our whoring around days.”
“Man, why didn’t we listen to everyone when they said to try before you buy?”
“Because we both wanted the lifelong guarantee?”
“Probably,” he says with a smile. “So, wait, does this mean you haven’t explained our somewhat peculiar living arrangements with him?”
I avert my gaze, earning a tut-tut from Flynn. “I didn’t think it was exactly a first-meeting-worthy conversation starter.”
“Probably a good plan there,” he replies, repeating my words back to me. “And now?”
I can’t stop the smile that tugs at my lips. “We’ve got a double date with his best friend and girlfriend on Sunday.”
“Nice. No pressure. An easy casual get together without the risk of awkward lulls in conversation, which means you won’t psychoanalyze everything that happens and everything that’s said and start worrying about how it’s going.”
“So fucking annoying how you do that,” I mutter, taking a sip of my wine.
The smartass smirks. “It’s true though.”
I roll my eyes. “Maybe. Doesn’t mean you have to point it out.”
He laughs to himself. “I figure if you know that I know, maybe you’ll be more aware of it. Or better still, not do it, and therefore you can relax and be your gorgeous, charming self and have him eating out of your hand by the time the night’s out.”
“It’s not my hand I’d want him eating.”
“Damn,” he says with a dry laugh. “I may be fine with you dating and all, but let’s not share bedtime stories just yet, deal?”
I giggle and hold out my arm, shaking his hand in mine. “Deal. And he won’t stay over or anything . . . I mean, if it gets to that point.”
Flynn nods. “Never thought you would. Well, not without us sitting down and talking about it first. Not sure we’re ready for sleepovers and passing each other in the hallway. And what about Harvey?”
“So, um . . . about that . . .”
His amused eyes turn curious.
“He, ah . . . right. Okay. So, Ezra asked if he could introduce me to Rhodes—that’s the guy—and Harvey overheard, so when we went to the BBQ on Saturday, he picked out who he thought Rhodes was and stated in no uncertain terms that he loves his mama and what he’d do if I got hurt.”
Flynn’s brows shoot up. “That’s my boy. So, what did he say he’d do?” There’s no mistaking the pride and amusement in his tone.
“Essentially, that he’d kick him in the nuts. Although I wonder if that suggestion came from Axel.”
“Damn. I really like our kid.”
I grin. “Me too.”
“Well, then, whatever happens with Rhodes, tell him Harvey’s warning goes for me too.”
I laugh at that but also sigh. “Yeah, sure. That’ll have him coming back for more.”
Flynn shrugs. “He’ll want to regardless, Dee. Trust me. You could wear a burlap sack and talk his ear off, and he’d still want to date you.”
“You haven’t even met the guy.”
“Don’t need to. I will, but I don’t need to. I already know you wouldn’t waste your time on a man who isn’t worthy. You’ve got good taste in men. I mean, look at me.” His shit-eating smirk so big I’m surprised he can breathe.
“You’re such a dork.”
“A good quality dork though. A doctor dork.”
I down my wine and hold out my glass for him. “Okay, then, doctor dork, you can prove how good you are by topping up my wine.”
“What the lady wants, the lady gets,” he says, moving to his feet and taking a bow as he divulges me of my glass.
“I’ve trained you well.”
“Now that is something I should warn this Rhodes about,” he mutters as he walks out of the room.
I gasp. “Heard that!”
“Meant you to!”
I laugh, glad that Flynn and I made sure we worked toward the respectful, loving, and successful co-parenting friendship we have now. Life would be a hell of a lot harder without it.
And for all I know, my date with Rhodes on Sunday could be the start of the next significant relationship in my life. Bring it on.
Chapter 7
Rhodes
“I’m leaving,” I call out as I grab my wallet and keys from the counter.
“Wait.” Jake appears in the doorway. “Hang on. I just have to make sure you’re respectable.”
I roll my eyes, but to pass inspection, I hold out my arms and do a 360 turn before meeting his gaze and raising an eyebrow. “What’s the verdict?”
He twists his mouth and sways his head from side to side. “You’ll do. I mean, I probably would’ve worn loafers instead of sneakers with those jeans since you’re going to a bar.”
“An ax-throwing bar, and it’s a Sunday afternoon, not a Friday night. I’m going for smart casual.”
“Emphasis on casual,” he retorts.
“Yep. Stop trying to make me nervous. I’m hitting my stride in the confidence stakes with Dee. Don’t need you derailing my progress,” I say jokingly.