Page 74 of Here's to Tomorrow

“I didn’t know how. I haven’t had to before. You’re the first person I’ve been on a date with in three years, Rae. I was with Joey’s mom before that, so she was obviously already clued in to the situation.”

“How long were you with her then?”

“Since I was sixteen until I was twenty-one.” I can see the wheels spinning. “Yes, Jess, my high school sweetheart, is Joey’s mom, and before you ask, no, she’s not in the picture anymore.”

Her demeanor doesn’t change with that confession, and I get the distinct impression that even if Jess were in the picture, Rae wouldn’t care. It makes me feel like this, despite what she’s said about not being mom material, is something she just might be able to handle.

“That’s it? No more surprise children running around? Just Joey?”

I chuckle. “Just Joey.”

The only noise in the apartment is coming from Joey, who is currently in my bedroom playing with Rocky. She throws a toy and Rocky takes off after it. You can hear his tail smacking against the wall and her giggles floating through the air.

“She’s gorgeous,” Rae tells me. “I don’t know why you hid her from me.”

“I didn’thideher, Rae. I just didn’t let you meet her. She’s a kid. They get easily attached. What if we ended up not liking one another? What if it didn’t work out after I introduced you? I have to be careful with that sort of stuff. I knew last weekend, just after two dates, that it would be safe to let Joey meet you, but then Thursday night happened and I got scared to mention anything. So, I didn’t. I figured I’d see where we were next week and then go from there.” I pause and take a deep breath. “And I also wanted to know about Perry, but I had to find the courage to ask about that too. I figured you’d tell me all that when you were ready though.”

Another look of confusion crosses her face. “Perry?”

“Yeah. I was wondering how long you used to date and if there was anything still there between you two. You seem close for exes, is all. Made me wonder if there was something still…lingering between you and hesitate to put myself into this any further.”

“Perry? The same Perry that did your website and ate with you guys last week?” she asks, brows raised, a smile forming at the corners of her mouth.

I give her a small, uncertain nod.

“Hudson,” she says, bringing a hand up to her mouth. “Perry isn’t my ex. He’s my cousin.”

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