I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught.

I’m afraid you only want me because of Patrick.

I’m afraid you’ll grow tired of me and of our son.

I’m afraid you’ll walk away, leaving us both.

I’m afraid of what it says about me—that I’m willing to settle for your scraps of attention, that I’m my mother—if I give you a chance.

I couldn’t tell him my fears because they revealed too much, so I let the words burn in the back of my throat.

“One date. That’s all I’m asking. One. Date.” Bryan pressed an urgent kiss to my lips, then touched his forehead to mine. “Don’t make me beg. I will, and it won’t be pretty. I’m loud when I beg. I’ll sing. And I’m a crap singer. Your mother’s dogs might like it, though.”

Despite everything, that made me laugh and I covered his hands with mine.

“One date,” he repeated, kissing me again.

“One date,” I said before I could catch myself, the words more a wish than an agreement.

His grin was immediate, positively beaming. “Great. Grand. Fuck, this is great.”

Giving me no chance to correct myself, Bryan stood, pulling me from the couch and enveloping my hand in his.

“W-Where are we going?” I asked. He pulled me from the room, down the hall, and to the foyer.

“We’re leaving,” he said, as though leaving my mother’s house was the only option and his response the most obvious thing in the world.

***

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all.” Bryan glanced around the café, his eyes bright and his mouth curved in an infectious grin. He’d been grinning since I’d inadvertently agreed to the date.

I’d explained to him on the way that I’d already made plans with a friend for the afternoon, but he was more than welcome to come. He’d readily agreed.

“That’s our spot, and we can pull up a third chair.” I pointed to the table where I usually sat with Josey. She hadn’t arrived yet.

“Got it.” He nodded and led me over by the hand. I tried not to dwell on the fact that he hadn’t let my hand go since we left my mother’s house. I also tried not to dwell on the looks we were getting from everyone in the café.

Keeping our fingers entwined, he easily picked up a wrought iron chair and added it to the small table, asking, “What’s good here? I’m starving.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to go back and have brunch at Cassidy house?” I sent him a teasing grin as I sat in the chair he offered, feeling the loss of his palm against mine as he took his own seat.

“I’d rather eat glass than share a table with your mother.”

I barked a shocked laugh, my amusement increasing when I saw the serious set to his jaw. “I know she can be unpleasant, but it couldn’t have been that bad. What did she say to you?”

He exhaled loudly and shook his head. “Nothing I want to repeat.” He must’ve seen the curiosity written on my face, because he relented. “She said that she’d spoken to my father about my behavior. She called me a drunk. She questioned whether I was good enough to be aligned with the Cassidys.”

“Ugh.” I clutched my stomach, which had abruptly soured, then reached for his hand again. “I’m so sorry. She can be really wicked. Believe me, I’ve been on the receiving end more than once.”

We traded a commiserating gaze. “No. I’m sorry.”

“What? Why?”

“I can’t imagine what you went through with that woman, when you told her you were pregnant. I’m sorry you had to do that alone.” Bryan reached forward, dusting my hair away from my temple and cradled my jaw. “I’m sorry I made it impossible for you to tell me the truth. But I want to be here for you now.”

“Just be there for Patrick,” I said, covering his hand with mine.

His grin returned and he opened his mouth to respond, but he was interrupted.

“Oh my God.”

I straightened and turned at the sound of Josey’s voice, finding my friend gaping at us with plain shock.

“Ah, Josey.” I stood and embraced her, then turned to introduce Bryan. “This is Bryan, I hope you don’t mind if he joins us for—”

“Are you kidding?” She giggled, the sound somewhat crazed, and made her flirty eyes at him. “Of course I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are.”

Bryan’s smile wavered, looking momentarily blindsided by her exuberance, and I tried to hide my grimace.

Recovering swiftly, he extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too.” Her eyes grew impossibly wide, and she shuffled closer to him, maybe a little too close. “I can’t believe I’m actually shaking your hand. I’m such a big fan. You smell so good. You’re completely brilliant, and I can’t believe how tall you are. I mean, you’re so tall. So very, very tall.” She continued bobbing their hands up and down, holding on to his far too long and clearly making him uncomfortable.

I debated whether or how to intercede, mostly just wanting to crawl under the table.

Finally freeing himself, Bryan took a step away from her and tucked his hands in his back pockets, sending me a quizzical look. “Can I get you ladies anything? Coffee?”

“Coffee would be great.” I gave him what I hoped was an apologetic smile.