Page 21 of The Bachelor's Dilemma

“Myles Riker. And yes, he took us both to the zoo. Is there a problem?”

“Not at all. I just wanted to make sure he was a friend.”

“Is Zack bothering him? I think Zack’s taken a fancy to him.”

She took a deep breath and tried to think about it rationally. Their friendship wouldn’t do any harm as long as her son didn’t become too attached. She didn’t want Zack to be upset when Myles left.

“Mr. Riker doesn’t seem to mind. I’ll introduce myself and let him know he’s free to tell Zack to stop if he gets too demanding,” she said.

“Sounds like a plan. Make sure Zack knows just because Myles treated us to the zoo, it does not mean he has to spend more time with him.”

Anna hung up a moment later and shook her head. She knew Myles took long walks as part of his recuperating process. And sitting in the sunshine in a quiet park was probably just what he needed. For a moment she was envious. She wished she could sit in the park on such a nice day and enjoy the sunshine.

And spend time with Myles.

By Wednesday, Anna had managed to push thoughts of Myles to the back of her mind, mostly. Zack had been full of conversation on Monday evening about Myles and how high he’d pushed him on the swing and how he played catch with a ball.

Checking with Edith, Anna had discovered Myles had stayed at the park the entire time Zack had been there that day. But he’d not been there on Tuesday or Wednesday. Probably afraid Zack would enlist him as a playmate again, she thought.

After tucking Zack in bed, Anna debated going to bed early herself. It had been a stressful three days at work and she still had two days to go until the weekend. Maybe a long, hot soak in the tub and then an early night would be the perfect ending to a not-so-perfect day.

The phone rang.

It was Myles. Anna was suddenly swept away with anticipation at the sound of his voice. Leaning back on the sofa, she smiled.

“I heard about your big day on Monday,” she said.

“At the park with Zack?”

“I hope he wasn’t a pest.”

“Not at all. But it was humbling—he wore me out,” Myles said in his husky voice.

Anna closed her eyes to better concentrate on that timbre.

“It’s taking you days to recover?” she teased. “Zack said you’ve been conspicuously absent from the park since then.”

“Checking up on me?”

The low murmur of his voice made her think of dark rooms, intimate settings, the two of them together. She reached over and dimmed the lamp. Settling back in the cushions again, she smiled at their silly talk. It had been a long time since she’d flirted with anyone.

“Hardly, but perhaps I should warn you, if you appear in Zack’s vicinity, I’m bound to hear about it, if not from Zack, then from Edith.”

“At least you know your babysitter is conscientious.”

“Did she introduce herself?” Anna asked.

“And gave me the third degree. She knows more about me than my employer, I think. She’s not a stand-in for your parents, by any chance?”

“Not at all. They’ve only met once.”

“Both your parents are living?” he asked.

“Yes. In Florida. My dad isn’t doing so well. They love it there. Typical New Yorkers, flocking south for better weather.”

“You have no yearning to join them? Florida beats New York winters.”

“I’m not ready for that scene yet. There’s too much to do in the city. Besides, I love skating at Rockefeller Center in winter. Seeing everything dusted in snow. Bet you didn’t do much skating in the Middle East.”

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