The Nurse's One Night to Forever

“She and my mother have stayed in touch.”

That sounded chummier than it was. The reality was that they ran into each other at various events and chatted. Other than a rare phone conversation or birthday card, neither sought out the other as far as he knew.

“Your mother told you about your ex’s wedding plans at your visit today?”

Riley yanked at the stubborn weed again, almost falling back when she lost her grip. Had he been closer, he’d have tried to steady her, but he was too far away so he just nodded. He realized Riley wasn’t looking his way, and said, “Yes.”

After he’d told his mother about his plans to adopt Kyle, she’d launched into tales of Ashley.

“You didn’t find that odd? Does she want you to intervene and win her back?”

“No.”

At least, he hadn’t gotten the impression that had been his mother’s goal. Nor had he found her comment odd—more reflective on how life changed.

“She was just musing about how Ashley was planning another wedding and I was planning to adopt, how we were both happy, and how things changed with time. She wasn’t hinting that we should get back together.”

“It’s good to have someone to support you unconditionally.”

Yes, it was. It was what he’d hoped to find someday—what he’d hoped to have with Riley.

“I’m blessed with a great family.” Which was probably why it was so important to him to have a big family of his own. “Just as Stephen has been.”

Riley’s hands stilled.

“Things could have been so different,” he continued, thinking back over what he could recall of his early childhood. “When I was placed with Mom and Dad they adopted me. I hope to do the same for Kyle—to give him what I’ve had.”

And he wanted Riley to be a part of that. Even with the turmoil of emotions whipping through him, that remained clear. He wanted Riley in his life.

Moving to stan

d near her, he held out his hand to help her back to her feet. “I’d like you to be a part of my life—a part of Kyle’s life.”

She didn’t look up from where she still tugged on the persistent weed, and nor did she take his outstretched hand. Her shoulders drooped a little.

Letting go of the weed, she held up her hand—not to take his, but to make a “stop” motion. “Don’t say anything more. I let myself get caught up in a relationship with you when I knew better. That was a mistake. A big one. But that doesn’t mean I have to keep making it.”

Heart racing, Justin stared down at where she knelt on the ground. He was opening himself up to her, laying everything on the line and telling her he wanted her in his life.

She was calling them a mistake.

It wouldn’t surprise him if she buried herself in the ground in an effort to block him out.

“Riley, I don’t think you understand what I’m trying to say,” he began, thinking if he could only make her understand she’d quit shutting him out.

“You’re the one who doesn’t understand. How could you? You’ve never felt the things I’ve felt...never been humiliated by the person you trusted most.” She took a deep breath. “I’d like you to leave.”

“Riley...” he began, knowing that leaving would be an even bigger mistake than either of them had made already. “Stand up and look at me. We need to talk this through. My leaving won’t solve anything.”

Surely she had to see that? Had to see that he wanted her in his life. In Kyle’s life.

“Your leaving will solve everything.”

Because she wanted to shield herself rather than face what was happening between them, rather than let him in.

“I want you to go,” she continued.

He reached out to touch her, but she jerked away.