“I like Vanessa as a friend, but we’re not going to be together like that. I can't believe you're saying that when lately you've been trying to get me to fight for full custody.”

  My mom sighed. “You're right. I'm not being reasonable. Are you going to bring Thea to see us soon?”

  “It depends on if you're going to be nice to her,” I said pointedly, taking a swallow of the so-so coffee.

  “Your mother will be nice to Thea. She's just going to worry. You were pretty heartbroken before,” my dad interjected.

  “I know, and I understand.”

  “Isn't she some bigwig lawyer in Boston?” my mother asked.

  “She works for a law firm there. She has a small apartment that probably costs a fortune.”

  My mother clucked. “Exactly. What if she wants to stay there?”

  “Fine with me. People commute all the time. We’ll figure it out. She's too important to me to let geography get in the way.”

  My mother drained her coffee and gave me an assessing look. “You find out what she likes, and I’ll make dinner for her.”

  “I will, Mom. Thank you.” I stood and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Thea

  Staring at myself in the mirror, I grabbed my brush again and ran it through my hair. I had mostly straight hair, but there was just enough wave that it sometimes curled in weird angles. For example, right now.

  It was flattening against the side of my forehead and then winging out. I dampened the brush and ran it through the wave just as Joe appeared. “Are you ready?”

  He must have seen the frustration in my eyes. He stepped behind me in the mirror, sliding his hands around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. “You look beautiful. Why is your hair wet on one side?”

  He dropped a kiss on the side of my neck. Even though I was unsettled and stressed about how I looked, that subtle touch sent a shiver through my body. Because it was Joe, and it was me, and that was how it was with us.

  “It’s got this weird wave,” I said, gesturing to the offending spot in my hair.

  Joe straightened and eyed my hair quizzically in the mirror. “I don't notice anything,” he finally said.

  I rolled my eyes. “Of course, you wouldn't.”

  “Joey’s not going to notice your hair, like, at all, and neither are my parents.”

  I took a shaky breath. “I know, but—”

  “Sweetheart.” He turned me around by the shoulders. “Stop looking in the mirror.”

  I peered up at him and took another shallow breath. “I'm nervous.”

  “Really? I didn't notice,” he said, his lips curling at the corners.

  “Joe.” I nudged him lightly with my elbow, right in his hard abs.

  His gaze was understanding as he looked at me. “It's fine. I understand why you're nervous. I really do. My son might notice a number of things, but your hair is probably on the bottom of the list. Now, come on. We need to go pick him up.”

  “Should I wait here? You usually pick him up, right?” I asked as he caught my hand in his and tugged me out of the bathroom.

  Before we reached the door to his bedroom, he turned. “Yes, I always pick him up.”

  “Should I wait here?” I repeated.

  “No, I think you should go with me. I told Joey you'd be with me, and cars are very forgiving when it comes to chatting with kids.”

  With his hand curled around mine, he led me down the hallway behind him. I went with a little resistance.

  “What do you mean cars are very forgiving?”

  “Because there’s not as much eye contact. It’s a small trick I thought I figured out myself. When I told my mom, she laughed because she already knew.” He rolled his eyes as he dropped my hand when we reached the kitchen.

  He opened a drawer by the doorway into the garage, where he kept his keys and various sundry items. “They don't have to look at you. Whenever he's in trouble for something, even if it's minor, it's the perfect place to chat. I manufacture an errand, not like it's hard because my list of things to do is endless. That’s when we talk. You'll be in the front seat. He'll be buckled up in the back asking tons of questions.”

  “Sweetheart, I know you're freaking out, but it’ll be okay. Now, we're going to be late if we don't go.”

  I reluctantly followed Joe into the garage and climbed into the passenger seat of his SUV. I laced my fingers tightly together in my lap and tried to quell the anxiety rising in wave after wave inside me.

  Joe’s son was the most important person in his entire life, and I was about to meet him. This was so fucking stressful, and I didn't want to freak out. I had no idea how Joey's mom felt about my presence in Joe’s life.

  Before I could think better of it, I blurted out my question. “Does Joey’s mom know I'll be there for the pickup?”

  “Yep, already told her.” Joe paused as he tapped the button to close the garage door after he backed out. “She knows we've been seeing each other for months, and she knows that we dated in high school.”

  “Do you two usually talk ahead like this?”

  “I actually saw a therapist to help me figure out how to handle the whole co-parenting thing. She said we should have conversations about all important matters, even if we couldn't get along. Honestly, we mostly get along. We’re not close. I know that sounds weird, but it is what it is. From the few other people I know who have to deal with custody stuff, I think it's probably better that we didn't have a relationship before. There’re no hard feelings about stuff.”

  I had so many questions about Joey's mom, but now definitely wasn't the time. “Where do you pick him up?”

  “The school bus drops him off at the garage. We used to do house drop-offs, but Joey would always try to get one of us to stay and hang out, and that's really not what I want. This keeps it clean.”

  Oh. So many questions crowded my thoughts. I took another nervous breath as we reached downtown Haven’s Bay because that meant we were almost there. The main location for his garage was just past the downtown area.

  He reached over, sliding his hand between mine, effectively unlacing my fingers. His touch was warm and reassuring, and my anxiety instantly let up inside. He came to a stop at a corner, and I glanced over to find his gaze waiting for me.

  “It's going to be fine.”

  “What if he doesn't like me?”

  “He's six years old. He likes most everybody. You're the first woman I’ve brought to meet him, and he knows you mean a lot to me.”

  I swallowed and took a breath because I couldn’t decide if that made matters better or worse. Joe simply held my hand and kept driving. Before I knew it, we were turning in at the garage.

  He gave my hand one last squeeze before he parked and turned off the engine. I wasn't sure what to do. We hadn't discussed if I should get out of the SUV or wait here. Fortunately, I didn’t have to dwell long.

  “Come on in. Joey will be hanging out along the edges of the garage where he's allowed. He'll be distracted and happy.”

  “Are you sure I should come in?”

  At his nod, I climbed out. Before we even got to the glass door that led into the back of the garage, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching, then a little boy burst out of the door.

  “Dad!” he called.

  He bumped into Joe’s legs as Joe released my hand and leaned down to swing him up into his arms.

  “Hey, big guy.” He lifted him before setting him against his hip.

  Joe’s son turned to look at me. He looked so much like Joe had when we were in elementary school together that my heart lodged into my throat and emotion roared through me. Oh, wow. He was a miniature version of Joe.

  “Hi,” Joey said, completely calm.

  “Hi, I'm Thea.”

  He wiggled, and Joe set him on the ground. “I'm Joey,” he announced as he took several steps to stand in front of me, holding his hand out formally.

  I shook his hand, and he held it as he studied my face. “My dad loves you.”

  “Oh, well, I know he loves you very much,” I returned.

  “Of course, he does,” Joey replied matter-of-factly, so utterly confident in his father’s love for him that my heart twisted in my chest.

  I couldn't help the little laugh that slipped out. “Of course.”

  “He’s my dad. He's known you a lot longer than me, though.”

  “That's true,” I agreed. “He's known me since kindergarten, at least.”

  “Maybe before that. I think our parents might have occasionally gone to the same church,” Joe offered.

  Another nervous laugh bubbled out. “It's very nice to meet you, Joey.”

  A big smile broke across his face. “You too.” He held his hand up for what I assumed was a high five. I didn't hesitate and slapped my palm to his. “I like you,” he announced.

  “You do?”

  “Well, so far. You're pretty,” Joey offered.

  Joey clambered into the SUV, sighing as Joe checked to make sure he was buckled into the booster seat. Although I’d known he was a father since he’d told me, all of a sudden, it became real. Before this moment, it had been an idea in my brain. Now, the knowledge was concrete, and he gave off major dad energy. I thought it was sexy. Not that I needed anything to make Joe seem sexier to me. His easy confidence and protectiveness were just hot.

  I climbed into the front passenger seat and promptly discovered why Joe said car rides were easy with kids. If you could deal with the conversation, that is. Joey talked almost nonstop. He wasn't even focused on me. He talked about school, about some girl who he thought was annoying, his favorite class, and then his most hated class. It was a lot. I just listened. A few times Joe caught my eyes and grinned.

  I quietly took a breath and let it out, finally starting to relax. It was all going great until Joey tapped me on the shoulder, focusing his piercing gaze on me when I glanced back. “When are you and Dad getting married? Grammy said Dad's asking you.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Joe

  Oh, hell. Fuck my life. I wanted to think my mom would have been sensible enough not to mention to Joey that I wanted to marry Thea. Sometimes, my mom said too much, especially when it came to me.

  I caught Thea’s expression and winced slightly. She was startled all right, but she handled it like a pro.

  “Well, I don't know. Maybe we don't need to worry about that right now.”

  “If Dad's in love with you, I want you to get married,” my son replied, his gaze swinging to me in the rearview mirror.

  “How about we pump the brakes on this?” I commented.

  “Does that mean to slow down?” Joey asked.

  Like most kids his age, Joey tended to think literally.

  “Yeah, slow down. We're not to marriage yet. I love Thea, and that's what's important right now. We'll figure the rest out when the time is right.”

  I was seriously winging this and hoped he hadn't just screwed things up with Thea.

  Joey shrugged. “All right. I guess you can just be in love.”

  I couldn't help but chuckle and was relieved to hear Thea’s soft laughter beside me.

  “What's for dinner tonight?” Joey asked, blessedly moving on.

  “We're going out.”

  Joey sat up straighter. “Where?”

  “What do you think about Pizza Play?”

  “Yes!” Joey exclaimed, punching one fist and then the other into the air. He wiggled sideways in his seat, entirely distracted from the wedding idea. “It's my favorite pizza place, and they have a playground. Can we go now?”

  I glanced at the dashboard clock, having already anticipated this. “That's the plan.”

  Thea knew where we were going already. This pizza place was a rarity in the universe of pizza and parenting. They had gourmet wood-fired pizza, but it was also totally family friendly with an indoor play area on one side. For parents, it was heaven with delicious pizza, a kid-friendly menu, and occupied children.

  With Joey practically bouncing in his seat all the way to the pizza place, it didn't take much effort to keep him talking. He was full of information for Thea. He told her about the kids in his class, his favorite gym teacher, his favorite substitute teacher, and his favorite lunch menu, which was called the fun stuff menu, and they only had it once per quarter.

  “What's the fun stuff menu?” Thea asked.

  His eyes went wide as he spun in his seat. I called over my shoulder. “Stay in your seat belt.”

  “Okay,” he said quickly. “Did you guys have the fun stuff menu when you were in school? Dad said you went to elementary school together.”

  Thea smiled. “We did. And we didn’t have the fun stuff menu. What’s on that menu?”

  “It's tater tots with cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches and pizza and hot dogs and milkshakes,” Joey explained.

  I caught Thea’s eyes, commenting, “That's basically what our regular menu was, if I recall.”

  Joey’s mouth dropped open as he looked between us. I winced slightly. “Sorry, they feed you much healthier food now.”

  “That's not fair,” he said slowly.

  “It probably is. I think you're going to be a lot healthier when you grow up than I am.”

  “You eat healthy now,” he protested.

  I thought I heard a snort come from Thea, but Joey was too distracted to notice. I did eat mostly healthy now, but it was because I had a son and needed to try to make sure he had healthy food. Left to my own devices, without anyone else to be responsible for, I ate mostly takeout, which wasn't all bad, but fast food was fast and convenient, not necessarily healthy. The nights when I covered the emergency service calls, I got by on coffee, doughnuts, and the occasional fast food burger. It was what it was.

  “I'm asking the principal how come we can't eat the way you guys used to eat,” Joey announced.

  “She's not going to go for it,” I replied.

  “How do you know?” he protested.

  “I just know. Count your blessings that you have the fun stuff menu once a quarter.”

  Joey let out an elaborate sigh.

  “You'll be all right,” I promised.

  The rest of the drive passed by in a blink.

  “When did this place open?” Thea asked as we were crossing the parking lot.

  I wanted to reach for her hand as I replied, “A few years ago.”

  Even though Joey knew she meant something to me, I hesitated until he glanced accusingly between us. “Why aren't you holding her hand?”

  I could tell Thea was trying not to laugh because the corners of her mouth pinched together. I reached for her hand immediately. “I am now.”

  “Wow, Dad. You don't even know how to be a good boyfriend.”

  “I don't?” I pressed while Thea’s shoulders shook with laughter.

  He shook his head and glanced at Thea. “I'll have to explain it to him.”

  Once again, she succeeded at not laughing out loud. “I can't wait,” she said solemnly.

  A few minutes later, we were waiting in line, and Thea’s eyes were scanning the chalkboard menu mounted behind the counter. “Which side are we sitting on?” Joey asked.

  I looked down at him, puzzled. “The side with the play area.” This had never been something he wondered about.

  “Yeah, but this is a date,” he replied.

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “You're taking Thea out to dinner,” he replied, his tone exasperated.

  “I'd love to sit over near the play area,” Thea chimed in. “Don't you want to?” Thea squatted, rocking on her heels and bringing her eyes level with Joey’s.

  Joey looked from her to me and back again before he nodded sagely. “Ah, that'll give you some private time. Okay, we'll sit on the playground side.”

  Thea smiled. “Okay, but if you want us to sit at a regular table, that's fine too.”

  “Nope.” Joey was resolute in this. He seemed to be taking his wingman responsibilities seriously.

  After we ordered and got seated, he looked from me to Thea again, narrowing his eyes almost comically. “Well, Dad, here’s what I know about having a girlfriend.”

  I leaned one elbow on the table and reached with my other hand for Thea’s underneath, giving it a squeeze as I laced my fingers with hers. She looked at him attentively, her expression very serious.

  “I can't wait,” I offered.

  With a solemn nod, my son began. “Well, you should be writing her a note once a day.” He looked toward Thea. “Is he doing that?”

  “Do texts count?” she asked.

  Joey was thrown by this. “I'm not sure. I don't have my own cell phone. I write them on paper and fold them up.” His nose scrunched as he contemplated. “But when you're in Boston, that's not easy.”

  “Okay, and then what?” I asked.

  “You need to hold her hand at lunch. I don't get to eat dinner with my girlfriend, but I'm pretty sure that would be one of the rules.”

  “Joey, who's your girlfriend?” I felt pressed to ask.

  “Jamie.”

  “Oh, how long has she been your girlfriend?”

  “A week. My girlfriend last month was Tara.”

  “Oh, I didn't know that.” I was a little thrown by these details. It was only weeks ago when he was horrified at the idea of liking any girl.

  Joey shrugged casually as he lifted his chin. “I don't tell you everything, Dad.”

  Thea squeezed my hand.

  “Also, no kissing on the lips. You can only kiss her on the cheek, and only once. I haven't had a girlfriend for Valentine's Day, but Tara told me guys have to plan for a card and some candy. Like those little heart things, the ones I don't like.” He scrunched his nose at this.

  “All of that sounds great. I appreciate your advice,” I said.

  “If you need to run the notes by me when Thea’s here, just ask. I check on three of my friends’ notes at school to make sure they're nice.”

  “What is nice?” Thea asked.

  “Just the handwriting. Mine’s pretty good. You know I got an A in handwriting.” He looked over at me.