to like Thrett, but he didn’t need to act so spoiled about their picnic.
“That’s okay,” she said, side-hugging her son. “Isn’t it, sweetie? I’m sure Thrett would much rather eat PB&Js with us, but he has to go to work.”
“Uh huh,” Trystin mumbled, frowning slightly. Thrett grimaced.
“He’s just hungry,” she explained quietly, not wanting Thrett to change his opinion of their son over a little late-morning melancholy. “I completely forgot play practice was today. It’s gonna be a good one. Right, Trystin?”
“Uh huh.”
“Which play is it?” Thrett asked, trying to engage.
“Peter Pan,” he mumbled, his gaze darting around the park instead of looking at them.
Rylan sighed at the boy’s moodiness and took over. “The kids have been working really hard on this production. They’ve poured their hearts and souls into it and the tickets have already sold out.”
“Wow, sounds like you’ve really fostered a strong artistic program.”
Rylan beamed at the compliment. “Not just me. The staff and kids do all the hard work.”
“Can…” Trystin started in a timid tone, finally meeting their gazes with wide, worried eyes.
“What’s that, sweetie?” she asked, brushing the hair from his eyes.
“Can we go too?”
“To play practice?”
“Uh huh,” he nodded. “Blaise is in it.”
Thrett broke into a radiant grin that would have made her knees weak if she were standing. “Fantastic idea! As long as your mom doesn’t mind giving us a rain check on that picnic.”
They both turned eager eyes on her and she laughed. “Of course we can.”
“Yay!” Trystin cried, dropping the last bite of his ice cream sandwich on the ground and bolting for the parking lot.
“No littering!” Rylan called after him as she threw away his garbage and joined Thrett in jogging after their incredibly excited son.
Rylan’s heart felt like it might burst out of her chest when she noticed both of them had similar gaits. They piled into their respective vehicles and headed to the school, where they met up in the big, dimly lit auditorium. They stood near the front of the stage, off to the side, to watch as Blaise Bradford and several other tiny, adorable children practiced their lines and songs together.
The director stood at the foot of the stage, directing as best he could, which was a bit like herding cats. The kids were all enthusiastic, though, and seemed to be having the time of their lives. Even the ones who were singing slightly off-key or off-beat sounded precious to adult ears. They were giving it their all, which was what Rylan tried to instill in her students.
Once Blaise’s scene was over, he went backstage, and Trystin tugged on Rylan’s hand. “Can I go back to see Blaise?”
“Of course, sweetie. Just make sure you don’t get in the way of practice. Okay?”
He nodded and bolted off to meet up with his bestie, leaving her alone with Thrett. Tension sparked between them to the point she could almost see the actual sparks. Silly, but that’s how it felt. Whenever they were near each other, she had the hardest time keeping her hands to herself. As it turned out, Thrett felt the same.
“I should, um, secure the perimeter,” he said quietly so no one else would hear. “Want to…join me?”
Yellow flashed in his eyes, reminding her of his true nature. But now, instead of terrifying her, it thrilled her. He obviously had more in mind than simply making sure all of the doors were locked, and she most definitely wanted to be a party to whatever that might be. Her answer was to smile and grab his hand.
They moved from door to door in the auditorium, Thrett boldly pushing through every door to see what might be lurking on the other side—spoiler alert, nothing ever was. He’d puff out his chest and push a little harder than necessary so his biceps would bulge impressively. They were certainly impressive, but Rylan rather liked that he was showing off for her.
Once they’d finished checking all of the exits backstage as well, Thrett pulled her behind a black curtain in the wings and pinned her against the wall. His eyes raked her flesh, finally resting on her parted lips. Then his mouth was on hers and the rest of the world vanished.
They leaned into one another in the darkness, swaying gently, as their kissing took a tender turn. Gone was the heated passion of the night before, replaced by inquisitive caresses and loving embraces. Thrett gave Rylan a sense of safety she’d never had before, a sense of security so true