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However, Rachel had something I didn’t—courage.
When she glanced at Theo with a smile, I was reminded that I had somethingshedidn’t—a boyfriend.
She got up and walked to Dexter and Phoebe, and I looked away from where she was headed. Because whatever they shared, I had no right to feel the anger still bubbling inside me.
“I’ll get the rest of the stuff out of the car,” Theo told me before kissing my cheek.
I nodded, distracted by my attempts to avoid looking in Dexter’s direction. I wiped some crumbs from Dylan’s face and he squirmed away, running right to his daddy who swooped him up with a huge smile.
“Well, hello,” Dexter said as he walked over to me, and I tried not to eye the way his muscles flexed to hold our son.
“You sound surprised to see us. As if I hadn’t told you last week we’d be here today.” I was rummaging through my bag for God knew what when I swore Iheardhim smile.
“You did mention that, huh? I figured why not give Phoebe some time with her brother.”
I looked at Phoebe, who was playing with Dylan’s feet, while Dylan was squirming in his dad’s arms to get down.
“Put his floaties on for me? I’m sure Phoebe will want to take her brother to the water,” I said, grabbing them from my bag.
When Dexter took them from me, his touch lingered, and I looked up at him, wondering if I was imagining it. There was a small smile there that convinced me I wasn’t. A hand on my shoulder made me jump.
“Nice to see you again, Dex,” Theo said, running his hand down my back before it landed on my hip. His fingertips squeezed a little and I forced a small smile.
I needed to remind myself that Theo was the one who belonged here. He wasn’t the one interrupting because he was the one I’d actually invited. I stepped away and ignored Rachel’s presence altogether. Maybe we had a moment, but I still didn’t trust her, and as Dylan played, I kept my eyes on him.
It wasn’t as awkward as I thought it’d be, spending the day together. Mostly, I used Dylan as a buffer whenever I was uncomfortable. And I ignored Dexter’s smiles. Theo played with the kids and walked them to get ice cream cones. I took a trip to the restroom to avoid being in Dexter’s company. We were getting along too well, and it wasn’t good for what I shared with Theo.
I was surprised as we got ready to leave when Theo asked Dexter and Rachel to my birthday lunch the next day.
“Her birthday isn’t until Wednesday,” was the first thing out of Dexter’s mouth, and I ducked to hide my smile.
Of course, he remembered. When I reached down to pick up Dylan, I felt Dexter’s eyes on mine, but I just kissed my baby’s soft, sticky skin and turned away.
Dexter was making it too hard to do the right thing.
“Yes, well, my schedule Wednesday is a little packed,” Theo explained, and I had to hide another smile.
I set Dylan down as I gathered our things and when I heard him stumble, I turned as he started to sob. I set my bag down and when Dexter started to make a noise, I shushed him. “Don’t react. It’ll only freak him out.” I picked Dylan up and his skinned knee made me frown.
Dexter was already grabbing the bag I’d set down while Theo walked toward us for a closer inspection.
“A bandage and some antiseptic should take care of that,” Theo said.
Well, no shit, I thought to myself. But I didn’t say it out loud because I didn’t want to embarrass Theo. And I didn’t want to have to deal with talking about it later. Theo was only trying to be helpful. It wasn’t his fault I was an asshole.
Once Dylan was all cleaned up and Dexter had wiped away his tears, I was more than ready to go home. Dylan needed a nap and I needed some quiet.
“So, I’ll see you tomorrow, then?” Dexter said as he handed me our son, whose eyes were beginning to droop.
I nodded, and Theo took the diaper bag from me. When he reached for my free hand, I only hesitated for a moment before taking it.
The three of us walked out together, even as Dylan picked his head up and whimpered for Dexter.
Noa
I pinchedat the fabric of the dress I was wearing, wishing I could put my boyfriend jeans back on. But Theo had frowned when I first slipped them on, suggesting instead the dress he’d bought me last week, so I changed.
I didn’t know what was so different about today, other than the fact that Theo insisted on paying for a babysitter for Dylan. I didn’t like it. I didn’t know her, and Dylan cried so hard when we walked out the front door.
