details soon.”
“Do you mind my asking why you haven’t found someone?” he asked, trying to sound all smooth, but even to his own ears, the question sounded forced and awkward. As much as the idea of her falling in love with some other guy would have hurt, he wouldn’t have blamed her for wanting a father to help raise Trystin.
“Like, a boyfriend?” She snorted and then her cheeks blazed red. “I guess I was too focused on Trystin and my career to bother with guys after we…met.”
Thrett’s heart thundered in his chest at the implication. Whether true or not, it sure sounded like she’d never dated anyone after their encounter. Yet another wave of shame washed over him.
While his reaction to having his heart broken was to bury himself in self-pity and take meager comfort in the arms of random women, Rylan had bettered herself and become a wonderful mother and educator. Whatever feelings he’d had for her eight years ago, they paled in comparison to how he felt now. Rylan Wilson was truly a remarkable woman—one he wanted to know better, if she’d have him.
Leaning against the bench, Thrett stretched his arm along the back, dangling his hand on the other side of her shoulder. His fingers twitched at her nearness, but the next move had to be hers. A few seconds later she took it. She leaned into him enough that he could wrap his arm over her shoulder in a side hug of sorts. That simple touch nearly undid him, but he controlled his animal instincts and just enjoyed the moment.
But it appeared she had other things in mind because she tipped her head back so she could meet his gaze. As they looked into each other’s eyes, her lips parted, ever so slightly, and he took it as an invitation. Leaning in to accept, his eyes had almost closed with something large and giggly landed in his lap.
“Oof!”
“Hi, Thrett!” Trystin all but shouted, grinning broadly.
“Hey there, buddy. What’s shakin’?”
Trystin’s eyes grew wide and excited and he took a deep breath. “Ginny says some dragons can swim really good and that it’s because of their wings and they can get them really strong and fast with a lot of training and I can feel my wings getting stronger really fast and I think I can be in the Olympics one day!”
It took a minute for Thrett’s brain to process this announcement, and by the time he managed, Rylan was on her feet next to Ginette. Was she leaving? Leaving him alone with her son?
“I don’t doubt it for a second, if that’s what you really want, sweetie,” she said, ruffling his hair. “But you and Thrett should discuss it while Ginny and I go get some ice cream. Sound good?”
Trystin bounced in Thrett’s lap with great enthusiasm. “Chocolate, please!”
“But—” Thrett started to object, but Rylan winked at him and turned away, leaving him alone with his son. It sounded so weird…but also so right.
As the ladies went off to the snack stand, Thrett settled in and listened to the boy rattle off his surprisingly detailed plan to train for the Olympic games with his stunted wings. Thrett had to admit, it was inspiring to see the little guy go.
“And I’ll make sure you and Mommy have good seats,” he added very seriously. “So you can watch me win a gold medal.”
“Thanks. That’s nice of you,” Thrett said, making the boy beam. Then his expression turned thoughtful.
“I’m glad you’re our friend, Thrett,” he said, his soft brown eyes searching Thrett’s face.
“Yeah? Why’s that?”
“Because Mommy’s happier now.”
Thrett’s heart flipped over in his chest, but he managed an amused chuckle. “I dunno, kiddo, she hasn’t seemed all that happy to see me.”
The boy shook his head dramatically. “Uh uh, she’s happy on the inside. She’s just really, really good at hiding it.”
Boy, he wished he could trust a seven-year-old boy’s intuition, but despite their near-kiss a few minutes earlier, Thrett knew he had a long way to go to earn Rylan’s trust, much less have her be happy he showed back up in their lives.
“What makes you say—”
He was interrupted by Trystin scrambling off his lap and running to intercept Rylan and Ginette, who were waggling ice cream sandwiches around and grinning.
If this was what a family outing felt like, he could get used to it.
Chapter Eight
“Ice cream sandwich is my favorite kind of sandwich!” Trystin bounced in excitement.
“My favorite is a knuckle sandwich,” Thrett drawled, pulling a laugh from