Page 118 of Don't Date A DILF

“Wow, that’s…something,” I fumbled out.

“It’s not for sure,” Holly said, seemingly unaware of the hope she’d sparked in her son. “But Minneapolis is just so big. When we were driving through town on the way here, I realized how cute this little place is. We stopped by the store, and everyone knew Hunter and Toby by name.”

“Yeah, it’s a great place to live,” I said faintly, “if you like that sort of thing.”

She chuckled. “I suppose there are pros and cons, but I sure would like living closer to my family. Anyway, thanks again for taking care of them!”

I nodded, feeling numb, as I turned for the door. Toby didn’t say goodbye, too busy peppering his mom with twenty questions about the possibility of her moving to town, but Hunter followed me out onto the porch.

“Hey, are you okay? That was a lot to walk into.”

I gave a shaky laugh. “Yeah, you think?”

“I’m sorry. I meant to warn you. I wasn’t expecting…”

I nodded. “It’s my fault for showing up unannounced, I guess.”

“No. You come over all the time and I always want you here. I thought I’d have more time to explain. That’s my mistake, okay?”

“Okay.”

He groaned. “What a shitshow. Really, Clark. I’m sorry.”

“You said that already.”

I knew I should reassure him. Accept his apology at least. But Holly’s words kept playing through my mind.

I’ve even been thinking of moving here.

I sure would like to live closer to my family.

My family.Because it was hers. Not mine. No matter how hard I wished differently.

I wanted to grab Hunter and kiss him and cry out that he was mine, but how could I, knowing how much Toby wanted his parents together? And who was to say Hunter wouldn’t want that too, in the big scheme of things? No one wanted to be a divorced single dad, not when there was a better alternative.

I loved him. Loved both Rhodes boys. I would fight for them any day of the week.

But how could I fight something that might make them happier than me?

CHAPTER29

CLARK

“Stop moping.We’re shopping for a wedding gift!” Maisie scolded. “It’s supposed to be fun.”

“Sorry.” I studied a shelf of candles. “I’m not really in the mood to celebrate a wedding.”

Normally I would find the story of two ex-lovers reuniting in matrimony uplifting, but with Holly in town and sleeping in Hunter’s house, I was less enthused about the idea.

Maisie hooked her arm through mine and tugged me over to a rack of shimmery scarves. Tops & Bottoms was primarily a women’s clothing boutique, though it had incorporated a selection of candles, jewelry, and interior decor that made it a good spot for gift-shopping as well.

The name inadvertently drew a number of gay jokes, as well, but the owner was a nice lady named Everdeen who wouldn’t realize her mistake, unlike the intentional naming of the doughnut shop, Glazed Holes, by a gay couple who got a kick out of the double-entendre.

“Once you buy a sex toy with a woman you have to go to her wedding reception,” Maisie said matter-of-factly. “Them’s the rules. I don’t make them.”

I snorted. “I’m pretty sure you did make that one.”

She snickered but cut short when we rounded the corner and spotted Toby Rhodes standing outside the dressing room, tears in his eyes. “Let me call Dad. Please?”

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