Page 137 of From Rivals to I Do

to babysit Charlee while we took care of things at the house. I can’t wait to show Charlee the house. She had lived in a small apartment with Reece and me all

her life. My mom’s house was bigger, but it wasn’t much of a stimulating environment for a child, or should I say Kid-friendly.

We set her room up first. I know she will be thrilled to see all of her toys again. I grab my mom, and we leave to pick her up.

“You know,” my mom says while we pull into her friend’s driveway. “Phyllis’ son is a dentist, and he just got a divorce.”

“You can’t be serious right now,” I groan, turning to glare at her.

“What? You can’t stay single forever, and he’s a very nice man,” she says defensively.

“It’s been barely a few months, Mom,” I reply sternly.

She shrugs her shoulders and gets out of the car. I don’t even know why I’m surprised. Even before I moved, she was trying to set me up with the sons of her

church friends. I reluctantly get out of the car, too, knowing that as soon as I see Phyllis, she will also casually suggest I marry her son and carry his children.

“Mom!” Charlee yells as she runs into my arms when she sees me.

I kiss her forehead and cheeks while she giggles and pushes me away. “Grandma and I have a big surprise for you and Nellie!”

She squeals and jumps up and down, excitedly waving her octopus in the air.

“Thank you so much for watching her, Phyllis,” I say, sticking my hand out to shake the older woman’s.

“Anytime. She’s such a joy to have around,” Phyllis replies, brushing Charlee’s hair behind her ear.

“Leigh called,” Phyllis starts saying to my mother. “She wants to host a barbecue at the church sometime soon, and she wants me to spread the word. The three of you should all come!”

“That sounds lovely, and we’ll be there,” my mom answers, glancing at me. I nod my head and smile, helping Charlee put her shoes on.

“My Chris is going to be there, too,” Phyllis adds, I take a deep breath and close my eyes while I’m still facing away from her. “Rayne, I think you two will really get along.”

“I guess we’ll see at the barbecue,” I say, hoping that will suffice and the conversion will end.

My phone rings, and I happily excuse myself to answer it.

“Hello?” I answer, realizing I didn’t look at the caller ID before hurrying up to escape the conversation.

“Rayne?” It’s Reece’s voice on the other end of the line. “You answered, and I wasn’t expecting that.”

“What do you want?” I sigh, rubbing my temples with my fingers.

“I just needed to hear your voice,” he chokes out on the other end, appearing to have difficulty gathering his words together.

This is what I was afraid of when I was leaving. I was worried he would cry, and I would give in to him and forgive him for all the pain he has caused Charlee

and me. I pull the phone away from my ear and end the call before I can listen to it anymore.

The last thing I want to do right now is to continue this awkward conversation with Phyllis about me dating her son. I rush inside and grab Charlee, excusing myself for needing to leave in a rush.

“Is everything alright?” my mom asks, alarmed by how fast I am moving.

“Yeah, Leonard just needs me at the office. It’s urgent, but he didn’t say what for,” I lie.

“I thought he gave you the weekend off?” my mom asks.

“Yeah, he did, but something is happening,” I pause for a moment, scanning my brain for a viable lie to escape this situation. “Something’s happening with the printer. It’s jammed or something.”

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