Page 46 of Small Town CEO Grump

“That’s amazing,” he said. “But although it is early on, I understand why you are asking the question. It makes perfect sense to me. And just know that I understand that you are a single mom. I also understand that I have a relationship with Tyler. Please know that I would not have asked you out if I didn’t see that you were somebody who I would want to have a future with.”

“Oh good,” I said, exhaling the breath that I hadn’t realized that I had been holding.

“Again, I don’t want you to think that I am that person who wants us to go and get married right away, because that would be silly too. But I’m glad that we’re both on the same page.”

“Me too,” Ryan said. “You know, Jenna, I have not ever been serious about someone. I was in a really bad place after having to give up baseball. You know that. And I knew then there was no way I could date anybody because I had to figure all of that out with myself. And then I threw myself into work, and building the business, and the next thing I know I am where I am now. You know that I’ve had lots of dates to different events, and there are several women that I’ve taken out, but there is never anyone that I wanted to be serious with. That has now changed.”

I felt butterflies in my stomach when I heard him say that, but I also knew that there was something else that I had to say.

“That’s wonderful, and you have no idea how happy it makes me hear that, but there is one other thing.”

“Tyler,” Ryan said.

I was grateful that he knew what I was thinking.

“Yes,” Tyler.

“You need to talk to Tyler,” Ryan said.

“Yes,“ I agreed. “I need to talk to Tyler. I like that you know this.”

“Of course I know this. You’re a good mom, and your kid is going to come first. As he should. And so of course you need to talk to him because this would be a major change for him as well, and you need to make sure that he’s okay with that change.”

Again, I felt a surge of relief. I also started to feel a bit silly for having been so nervous about making the phone call.

“I’m glad that you understand it,” I said. “So very glad that you understand it.”

“Of course,” Ryan said. Then his tone became a bit playful. “So, I don’t want to be pushy or anything, but when do you think you’re going to be talking to Tyler?”

“Actually, he and I are spending the day together today and I am going to talk to him.”

“Good plan,” Ryan said. “Will you let me know how it goes?”

“Of course I will,” I said. I was pleasantly surprised at how urgent Ryan was being about this. I didn’t see it as him being pushy. I just thought that he was serious about us.

“I will look forward to it.”

“All right, well with all that in mind, we should probably get off the phone. I will talk to you later today.”

We both said goodbye, and I hung up the phone.

I sat back in my chair, and felt a wave of peace wash over me as I drank my second coffee and then filled the mug again. I was pretty certain what Tyler was going to say, but I was grateful that Ryan understood exactly what was happening, and why I had needed to call him.

***

“Nice grab,” I said.

“Thanks!” Tyler answered. “Ryan taught me.”

We were at the park and had been playing catch for the past hour. I always loved throwing with my son, and as he was getting older it was getting more and more fun. He was becoming a really good little ball player, and he liked showing off the different things he had learned.

Breakfast with my parents had been delicious, as always, and I could tell that my parents wanted to know how my date had gone, but they also weren’t going to ask me questions in front of Tyler.

My mom had simply raised her eyebrows and asked how I was. I had immediately understood what she was getting at and so I just laughed and told her that I was very, very good.

“What do you say we take a break for a little bit?” I asked.

“Sure”, Tyler said, running up to stand next to me. “What do you want to do now?”

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