Page 19 of Love In Print

Dean raised his hand and this time waited for Rhys to give him a high five. “Damn. Smooth. Are you going to see her again?”

“I asked her out for this weekend before we even left the parking lot. I really like her and can easily see myself spending time with her.”

“Quietly dating?”

Rhys nodded. Every one of his past relationships had been public and all over social media. If things with Maisie were to progress past this coming weekend, he’d vow to keep their lives as private as possible. Of course, that would only last for so long. More so, he didn’t expect to be able to keep his hands off her this weekend, and someone would likely notice and say something. He would have to come clean about who he was when he picked her up for their next date. It wasn’t fair to Maisie to go into something with him unsuspectingly.

Dean bid Rhys a goodnight and went down the hall to the extra bedroom. Rhys stayed in the living room a while longer before heading into the bathroom. He showered quickly, checked on Trey, and then headed to bed for a few hours of sleep until his son woke up.

As he laid in his bed, he stared up at the ceiling. Everything about the blind date went so well, he couldn’t help but wonder when the other shoe would drop. They probably shouldn’t have hooked up. Would that cause her cancel on him? He hoped not.

Rhys reached for his phone and sent Maisie a text.

I just want to reiterate how thankful I am that you took the ad out in the paper. See you Saturday.

He waited to see if she’d reply and after a few minutes, he gave up and put his phone back on his nightstand. Rhys hoped Maisie was asleep and not ignoring him.

Before he drifted off, his last thought was that he had made a mistake when he took them to the beach and that’s why she hadn’t replied. He needed to fix his blunder before Maisie slipped away from him. But how? He could send flowers, but would that embarrass her or seem presumptuous?

“Just fucking stop overthinking,” he said to his empty room. “She’s asleep. You know she had a good time. She proved that over and over again.”

That thought made Rhys smile.

* * *

Rhys pulled into the parking garage of the complex where Celeste lived. He helped Trey out of the back seat and held his hand until they were almost at the elevators. His son raced forward to press the button and then waited with his dad for the doors to open. Inside, Trey pushed the button for their floor and then asked his dad to pick him up.

Trey rested his head on Rhys’s shoulder. He did this every time Rhys brought him back to Celeste. Deep down, he knew his son didn’t want to be at his mom’s. The living arrangement needed to change, but actually doing so was a complete hassle. Rhys had spoken to his father about his desire for full custody but had yet to speak to his lawyer. He didn’t want to strong-arm Celeste, but it was in Trey’s best interest for him to live with Rhys full-time.

They stepped off the elevator and Rhys walked down the hall. He knocked on Celeste’s door and waited. Agitation grew. She knew when they would be arriving, and he felt they shouldn’t have to wait. He pounded on the door and adjusted Trey in his arms.

“Hey,” Celeste said when the door swung open. She stood there for a moment before stepping aside to let them in. “Hey, buddy.”

Trey said nothing. He buried his face into his dad’s shoulder and held on tightly when Rhys tried to put him down. “Come on, buddy,” Rhys whispered to his son. Trey finally let go and let his father put him down. Trey didn’t go to his mom, but to his bedroom instead.

“I don’t know what you say to him when you have him, but I don’t appreciate it.”

“Me nor my parents say anything to him, Celeste. He’s a smart boy. He can sense that he’s not wanted here.”

“That’s not true.”

Rhys fought hard not to roll his eyes. She always thought they sat around and bad-mouthed her, which they never did. Gloria would never allow it and always made sure Rhys put in an effort on Trey’s behalf to make sure his son gifted his mother presents on her birthday, Mother’s Day, and Christmas. Not that Rhys wouldn’t do those things on behalf of his son without those hints.

“Do you want something to drink?” Celeste asked, changing the subject quickly.

“No thanks.”

“Why are you dressed in a suit? It’s Saturday.” Rhys had dressed for his date with Maisie before he made the trip to Boston. He could’ve backtracked and gone back to his house to change but figured he’d pick Maisie up as soon as he was back on the island, and they’d head to dinner.

“I have dinner plans.”

“What’s her name?” Celeste asked sharply.

“Doesn’t matter,” he told her. “I’ll call Trey tomorrow. Same time as usual, and I’ll pick him up on Thursday,” he said as he made his way to the door.

“Wait. Before you go.”

He stalled and bit the inside of his cheek.

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