Page 93 of Missing

Doug and I both laughed, and just like that the tension between us evaporated.

“I thought we were here to get an ice cream to cheer me up?” I asked. It was the excuse he’d given when he begged me to come here.Now I know why he was more relentless than usual.

“I’ll buy everyone an ice cream. If we can eat them outside,” Doug said.

“Yay!” Chase clapped and started towards the line.

When Doug held out his hand, I didn’t hesitate to slip mine into his. It felt like coming home after a bad day.

We ordered our ice creams, went outside, and sat at one of the red metal tables.

“I’m sorry I ambushed you,” Doug said while Chase was preoccupied with his hot fudge sundae.

“Forgiven. I was going to call you later tonight so we could talk anyway.”

“So, I didn’t need to embarrass myself in a shop full of strangers to win you back?” There was a twinkle in his eyes, and no malice in his voice.

“No, but it was quite the romantic grand gesture.” I teased him. “It puts every grand gesture I’ve ever read about in books to shame.”

His laugh sounded more like a sigh. “I don’t mind if you tell everyone about today, but can we keep the sterile part to ourselves?”

He didn’t need to ask, I’d never tell anyone, but I understood why he did. I could see in his eyes he was struggling with what it meant to his definition of manhood.

“Of course.”

“What does stairall mean?” Chase’s mispronunciation was cute.

“It means I can’t be a dad,” Doug answered.

“But you said you’d be my daddy.”

Doug clearly didn’t understand the mind of a five-year-old.It’s okay, he’ll learn.

His eyes rounded as he looked at me. I’d ask him later why he was sorry, but at the moment I had to answer Chase.

“What Mr. Doug means is he can’t make a baby. But he can be a daddy to babies already born.”

“I’m not a baby.”

“No, you’re not. Not anymore.” I agreed.

Chase went back to eating his ice cream.

“Beth, I didn’t intend to say it the way I did, but I meant every word. I love you.” He reached across the table and held his hand out to me, palm up.

“I’m not going to lie, it was a bit shocking.” I placed my hand over his, palm down. We weren’t quite holding hands, we were barely making contact, but it felt intimate. “I have a confession to make.”

He waited, his eyes locked on mine, as I gathered my nerves.

“I love you, too.”

His smile was brighter than the sun.

So was mine.

Doug asked if he could take us out to dinner. Chase said yes before I could answer, but I didn’t mind. Today had been a whirlwind of emotion, and I was exhausted. Being relieved of cooking duty was a blessing.

“Would it be okay if we got takeout? I’m not up for going out,” I asked.Not only can I relax, but we’ll have more privacy.

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