Page 14 of Finding You
“Let’s get back to Zion,” Teresa said. “Days after we left Vegas, you were still talking about him. I seem to remember you saying if you ever ran into him again, that you would marry him and live happily ever after.”
Raven snorted. “Clearly, I was still on a high from our incredible night together.”
“It was more than that. You said you guys connected, and I’ll admit, I thought so too. Before I left the two of you in the bar, y’all were talking like you’d known each other forever. It still blows my mind that during all that talking, you guys managed to stay clear of personal information.”
Yeah, that surprised Raven too. She knew random things about him. Like his favorite food was anything his mother cooked, but especially anything barbecued. She knew he had four sisters and a couple best friends who were like brothers to him. She even knew he had served in the military right out of high school. Yet, she didn’t know if he had integrity, or if he had a short fuse. Or even if he liked kids. Then again, seeing him with the twins earlier in the day answered that question. Not only did he like kids, but he was also good with Drew and NayNay.
In her heart, Raven knew he was a nice guy mainly because of how sweet his family had been to her. She hoped he didn’t prove her wrong.
“I hope Zion comes around and embraces his new role as daddy,” Teresa said. “If not, he’s going to miss out on two sweetie-pies, as well as their mother.”
Raven was shaking her head as if her friend could see her. “All I want is for him to claim his children and be in their lives. He and I are in the past,” she said, but if she was honest, she wished the two of them could pick up where they left off. “Besides, he’s too young for me and my life is a little chaotic right now.”
She shared his age with Teresa, as well as her discomfort of knowing she’d been with someone five years younger than her. She was a grown woman, and the last thing she needed in her life was a man-child. At thirty-years-old, he was probably still sowing his wild oats, as the saying went.
Of course, Teresa shot the comment down and proceeded to tell her that she was being judgy before really getting to know the guy. Which was true, but outside of co-parenting, Raven couldn’t envision a future with Zion. She had more pressing things to think about, like deciding if she was going to stay in Chicago. If she did, she needed to find a place to live and get the rest of her stuff shipped from Houston, and that’s what she told Teresa.
“Whatever you need, I’ll help. Though I’ll miss you like crazy, I’m glad you’re seriously thinking about relocating to Chicago. Your family is there, and your kids’ father is there. In my opinion, that’s the best reason of all to move.”
Raven agreed, which was why she was ninety-nine percent sure she was going to do it. As an administrative virtual assistant, she was her own boss, which gave her the flexibility to live anywhere. And based on what she’d seen of the Priestlys so far, she wanted her kids to grow up around them.
“Maximus’s ignorant ass is another reason you should make the move. He’s not going to back off until you’re no longer easy to get to.”
The man was wealthy. If he wanted to, he could get to her anywhere she went. She just hoped he’d meet someone else and forget all about her. Until then, she was going to stay far away from him. He was starting to get a little obsessed with her and the twins, and she wasn’t sure why. He could have any woman he wanted. So why was he insistent on them getting back together?
“I know you don’t think he’s a physical danger to you and the kids, but I don’t trust him.”
“I don’t trust him either, but he’s never given me reason to believe he’d ever hurt us. I’m just tired of him popping up at my place and acting as if we’re still a couple. If I didn’t know better, I’d think something was mentally wrong with him.”
Raven’s phone vibrated, signaling a text.
“Hold on a sec, Teresa,” she said, and checked her text messages, surprised to see one from Zion.
Zion:If I told you that very dependable babysitters are lined up, would you have dinner with me tonight at seven?
Raven’s mouth dropped open, and her heart banged against her rib cage. Surely, he wasn’t asking her out on a date. But rereading the message again, that’s exactly what it sounded like.
Excitement, curiosity, and a bit of nervousness warred within her as she put the phone back to her ear and whispered, “You’ll never believe who just asked me out to dinner.”
“If you say Maximus is there, I’m calling the police,” Teresa snapped.
“No, not him!” Raven whispered-shouted as one of the babies started to stir. “It’s—”
“Oh. My. God.Mr. Deep-Sexy-Voice, aka your babies’ daddy asked you to dinner? Like on a date?” Teresa said, her excitement spilling through the phone line. “You haven’t been on a date since…”
“I know! I can’t remember either, but I’m not sure if it’s a date. I didn’t say yes yet. Besides, it might not be a date. I might just be—”
“Nope. It’s a date!” Teresa screamed, and Raven laughed. “So go ahead and respond. Tell him, hell yes, you’ll go out with him! Anytime. Anywhere.”
Raven snorted, then laughed at her friend’s enthusiasm. “Clearly, you’ve forgotten that the last time I said yes to this man I ended up with two kids. So maybe I need to—”
“What you need to do is quit messing around and sayyes!”
Raven stood and moved over to where NayNay was sleeping in a baby bed provided by the B & B, and Drew was in the portable bed that she’d brought with her. If… no,whenshe said yes to Zion’s invitation, it would be for the sole purpose of getting to know him better for her kids’ sake. Nothing else. No matter how much her body craved another taste of him.
After disconnecting her call with Teresa, she texted Zion back.
Raven:Yes, I’d love to have dinner with you.
