The Right One - Felice Stevens Page 0,64
finally ready to date again…after your divorce. He told me about a guy you were into, but that it was basically just physical. I figured I should move on and start dating nice guys who are looking for a real relationship, and stop pining after someone who doesn’t know I’m alive.”
They paid the bill and walked out into the twilight. Morgan gave Derrick a hug. “I think we both need to reassess what we want and have a talk with Chris.”
“I agree. I’m really glad we met, Morgan. I hope we can stay in touch.”
“I’d like that. Give me a call anytime you want to hang out. And I hope things work out. Don’t be surprised if maybe he’s waiting for you to make a move.”
“Maybe.” Derrick glanced over his shoulder. “You think I should go back inside?”
“Couldn’t hurt. You’ll never know if you don’t try.”
His lips curved in a smile. “Thanks. I think I will.”
“Good. And you better let me know how it goes.”
“Deal.” They hugged again, and Morgan watched as he returned to the bar. He huffed out a sigh and walked to the train. His feet hit the top steps just as his phone buzzed with a text, and he saw it was Marla. He reversed course and leaned against a building to read it.
Hey, sweetie. I was wondering if you’re free tonight and might be available for impromptu babysitting? Peter got tickets to a concert we’d love to go to. Let me know if you can.
Checking his watch, he saw it was only seven thirty, and since he had nothing else to do the rest of the night, why not?
Sure. I’m not far. I’ll hop in a car and be there in less than ten minutes.
She texted right back with a line of heart emojis, making him smile.
***
“So Evan is asleep, and PJ is already in pajamas and ready for bed too. They know you’re here, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Peter Jr. popped his head over the upstairs banister. “Hi, Morgan. I’m brushing my teeth. See?” He gave a big toothpaste-foamy smile.
“Good job, buddy.” Morgan gave him a thumbs-up.
“All PJ likes is a story from Thomas the Tank, and then he’s happy to go to bed.”
“Perfect.”
Marla hugged him as Peter walked out from the kitchen. “Dude, I owe you big-time. I thought I’d have to give the tickets away.”
“No worries. Who better as a babysitter than a kindergarten teacher? Happy to help out.”
Peter gave him a brief, bone-crushing hug. “How’s my boy doing?”
He’d been waiting for the Q and A but decided to feign ignorance. “Your boy?”
“Leo. Man, I can’t tell you how happy I am to know you two are together. Where is he tonight, by the way? I told Marla she’d probably be shit out of luck, since you’d be with Leo and he’s not the babysitting kind.”
“Well…we’re not together. Matter of fact, I’d just finished a date when Marla texted me.”
“Oh, Morgan, you should’ve told me.” Dismayed, Marla put a hand to her mouth. “I’m really sorry.”
“Don’t be. It was over. Turns out we’re better off as friends.”
But Peter wasn’t interested in his failed date. “What happened with you and Leo?”
How could he answer when he wasn’t even sure himself? So he put on a brave face and smiled. “Guess it was one of those things. Here today, gone tomorrow. No big deal.”
Peter’s good-natured face darkened. “It sure as hell is a big deal. You’re good for him, and I might not know you well, but I think you were happy too.” Troubled, Peter paced the floor. “I’ve known him for years, and I’ve never seen him with anyone, not even with his ex, like he was with you.”
He was stunned that Leo had once actually committed to someone else, but it only strengthened his opinion that he was nothing more than a booty call for Leo. He’d made it way too easy for him. And the fact that he wanted to know more about the man who’d once captured Leo’s attention annoyed him, but he couldn’t help it.
“I never knew he had a relationship.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call it that. Diego was a cool guy and really into Leo, but Leo couldn’t return the feeling, so Diego walked.”
“I can understand.”
“Do you? Then you’re two steps ahead of me. My man is on the edge and eating himself up inside, and I hate it.”
“I can’t blame him. His mom’s so sick, and he’s torn between wanting to take care of her yet still