Chapter 203: The Second Meeting

Holly’s POV

“You have a child?”

I heard him ask, and my body jolted as if someone had poured ice water down my back. Instinctively, I shifted Caden in front of me like he was some kind of shield.

“Well…It’s kinda…”

“It doesn’t matter at all. Believe me… I’m not judging you or anything. I’m just surprised, that’s all,” he rambled on, words tumbling out awkwardly, and I tilted my head in confusion. Why was he rambling like that?

I stared straight into those perfect hazel-green eyes.

Tyler.

Shoot.

I’d been ignoring his calls since that day. Not like he called every hour…five or six times at most…but I conveniently managed to miss them all.

“Uhm… Tyler… hi… what a pleasant surprise,” I stuttered, painfully awkward. What excuse was I supposed to make up now? How do you explain dodging someone without sounding like a villain?

“Holly… so good to see you. Look, I’m sorry. I must have seemed like a creep, calling a married woman endlessly. I’m so sorry, I didn’t know that…”

“Tyler…” I cut him off with a laugh because he looked ridiculously uncomfortable. “I’m not married. And no… Caden’s my friend’s child. We’re kinda co-parenting? I’m just the cool mom,” I blurted out.

Fuck. Why did I say that? Who asked you, Holly?! Too many details! Just shut up.

“Whoop! Thank God!” Tyler said a little too loud, then cleared his throat. “Not like… thank God it’s not your child or anything, but thank God…you know what, I’m just glad I ran into you. You haven’t been picking my calls.” His voice softened at the end, like he was scolding a puppy more than me.

And of course, guilt came crashing in. He looked like a big puppy himself, actually…eyes wide, lips pressed together, like he might whine if I walked away without offering him a treat. Do I look like I’m his owner? Why is he looking at me like I’m his favorite treat?

The thought made heat creep into my cheeks. No. Focus, Holly. You’re only a treat to David. No one else. David owns that title.

“Sorry about that,” I muttered, my voice small. “I just… I’ve been going through some pretty messed up situations… I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Totally fine. I understand,” he said softly.

And that only made the guilt worse.

I groaned dramatically, rolling my eyes. “You’re just like a big baby, you know? Let me make it up to you. Wanna join us?”

His face lit up like a Christmas tree. “I would love that!”

And just like that, Tyler was part of the adventure.

We wandered through store after store. Tyler was ridiculously good with Caden…kneeling to his level, asking him questions, even buying him a toy car without me asking.

Caden adored him instantly, holding his hand, pulling him toward shelves, proudly showing him things. My heart softened despite myself.

Eventually, we left with bags in hand and made our way to the park. The three of us stopped near the playground, and I stood beside Tyler as we watched Caden clamber up a slide, shrieking with laughter.

“You’re good with him,” I admitted, genuinely impressed.

Tyler laughed. “I have a nephew about his age. I adore him. Spoil him rotten, actually.”

That made me think of Liam, Ava’s little boy. A pang of guilt flickered…I really should call Ava, check in on them.

“I’ve got a nephew too,” I admitted with a small smile. “He’s the absolute best.”

The words seemed to linger between us, softening the air. For a moment, we sank into an easy silence, the kind that didn’t need filling…until Tyler cleared his throat, clearly determined to keep the conversation alive.

His voice pulled me back to reality. “Soooo, business is… finally booming thanks for asking,” he said, hands in his pockets. “I had to accept help from home, though. A loan. But I’ll pay it back. I just need more deals, more clients. I actually secured a new space for the company, but it’s empty and needs to be organized.”

My head tilted. “Well, lucky for you, I took an online class in interior design once. One of my rebel phases.” I grinned. “I could help you if you don’t mind. I’ve got time on my hands at the moment.”

His face lit up all over again. “Seriously? That would be amazing, Hols…sorry, can I call you Hols?” he asked, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes as if he was bracing for rejection.

“I don’t mind, really,” I laughed, the sound spilling out easier than I expected. He looked so hopeful…almost like an oversized kid…that I couldn’t help but find it endearing.

Before I could blink, he pulled me into a hug, spontaneous and full of relief. My arms hung stiffly at my sides.

And then just as quickly, he pulled away, cheeks flushed. “Sorry. I just… I’m really happy. I shouldn’t have…”

“It’s fine,” I cut in quickly, my own face burning. Awkward. Painfully awkward. Neither of us spoke for a while after that, both staring at Caden like he was the most fascinating child alive.

When it was finally time to leave, Tyler scribbled an address on a receipt and handed it to me. “Stop by Monday? You’ll see what we’re working with.”

“Sure,” I said, folding it carefully into my purse.

The tension eased as we walked toward the cars, and conversation picked up again. Tyler cracked a joke about Caden’s serious face when eating ice cream, and I laughed so hard I nearly doubled over.

For a moment, it felt easy. Normal. Like life could be this simple.

We said our goodbyes in the parking lot. He waved once before getting into his car, and I slipped behind the wheel with Caden chattering in the backseat, still buzzing from his new toys.

Caden and I drove off, his tiny voice filling the car as he belted out the lyrics to some upbeat radio tune. I joined in, off-key but loud enough to make him giggle between verses. His laughter was infectious, bouncing around the car like sunlight, and for the first time in days, my chest felt light.

We rolled down the windows, the evening air rushing in, tangling my hair as Caden drummed his toy car against the seat in rhythm with the music. For a fleeting moment, it was perfect…just us, singing, laughing, no thoughts creeping at the edges of my mind.

The chorus hit, and Caden shouted the words, his voice high and wild. I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes, my hand tapping the steering wheel in time.

Then…

Headlights.

Blinding. Too close.

My breath caught in my throat as instinct jerked my hands against the wheel. The tires screamed, Caden’s toy car slipped from his grasp, and his voice pitched into a startled cry…

And then…