Page 69 of Follow My Heart

But after Ryder’s talk with Stacy last weekend, she decided to stick to their every-other-weekend visitation schedule. I hated that for him because he wanted more time with Faith, not less, and it felt like she was punishing Ryder for being with me when she’d been with Phil for months.

When it was almost time for Ryder to pick me up, I grabbed a clutch and placed my wallet and phone inside it.

A knock sounded, and I answered the door with a smile.

Ryder’s expression was filled with regret. “I wanted to take you out tonight?—”

“But something came up?” I tried not to let the disappointment filter in. He was a single dad, and his daughter was his first priority.

“Stacy needs me to pick up Faith. Apparently, Faith threw a fit about spending the weekend with Phil and his family instead of with me.”

I frowned. “I thought Stacy wanted to stick to the every-other-weekend schedule.”

“Faith told me that she feels like she’s ignored at Phil’s. He already has three kids, and there isn’t a place for her to sleep.” Ryder shrugged. “What’s the point when she can be with me?”

“It would make more sense if she’d just let you take her like you usually do.”

“I think she wanted to make things difficult for me, and now that Faith is upset, she just doesn’t want to deal with her.”

I grimaced. “I don’t want to cause trouble for you two.”

Ryder stepped closer, his hand drifting to my cheek. “You’re the opposite of trouble.”

His words flowed like warm honey in my body. “You want company for the ride?”

His brow furrowed. “That’s probably not a good idea yet.”

I didn’t want Stacy taking our relationship out on Ryder. “You’re probably right.”

“I can pick you up on the way home, and we can have a night in,” he suggested hopefully.

As much as it sucked, I wanted to be the better person in this situation. “I don’t want to take away your time with Faith. She might want some alone time with you.”

“You’re pretty great, you know that?” Ryder stepped closer, his hand cupping my neck, sending tingles down my spine.

We had a night planned, and now I wouldn’t get to see him at all.

He kissed me softly, then said, “I’d better go. Stacy said if I wanted Faith, I needed to get her before seven.”

“She’s making demands when she called you?”

Ryder merely shrugged. “If I want to see Faith, then I have to do what she asks.”

I didn’t like that. It meant that Stacy would be calling the shots well after the ink on their divorce order was dry. I wanted to point it out to him, but we were too new. “Have a safe trip.”

With a regretful smile, Ryder turned and jogged toward his truck. I wouldn’t have minded the change in plans if I was included. If I could go along with him to see Faith.

It was a little like being on the outside looking in when my parents fawned over my sister’s latest accomplishments. She was always winning some award or going to a ceremony where she was going to be honored. Anytime I expressed my thoughts, I was told I was just jealous. That I should do something worthy of a ceremony or an award.

The familiar hurt seeped around my heart, eroding the relationship I’d built with Ryder. Was this just like my situation with my family? Was I always going to be second-best?

It was understandable, but I still thought Ryder could have handled it better. I went inside and took off the dress and heels I’d picked out. Ryder hadn’t even mentioned how I looked. He was too caught up in Stacy’s latest drama.

I texted Claire and Daphne to see what they were up to. Both of my good friends had kids. Maybe it would be good to hear their perspective.

Claire’s son, Owen, had a football game, but Daphne invited me to her place. She said Colson would be going to sleep soon. Then she could talk. I was sure her husband, Cole, would entertain Izzy until bedtime.

At their house, I texted Daphne I was there so I wouldn’t wake Colson with a knock.

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