Page 9 of Small Town Prince Charming

“I’d rather meet with you.” Katie clasped her hands together. “Are you done? We could get coffee.”

He had to put a stop to this. He couldn’t lead her on and didn’t want to hurt her. “Katie...” Shit. He had the words and lost them.

She smiled, then nodded to Keelan. “Do you mind giving us a minute?”

Keelan jumped up from his seat and vacated without a word. Ryan gritted his teeth. So much for being his backup.

“You said you wanted to go on a second date,” Katie said. “I thought it would happen before now.”

“I’m not looking to date anyone. I thought I was ready, but I’m not.” Ryan hooked his fingers in his jeans pockets. “I don’t have the time to devote to a date or relationship and that’s not fair to you or anyone else. I have to focus on Maisey.”

“Eva can watch her, and she can play with Erin. They’re besties.” Katie sighed. “Is it because I have two girls?”

“No.” He didn’t mind that she had children. He wouldn’t mind it if Tracey had kids, either. Then again, Katie wasn’t Tracey. “It’s really about time.”

“Uh-huh.” Katie swept her gaze over him. “There’s something different about you. I can’t tell what it is, but there’s something.” She tipped her head. “New haircut?”

“I’m wearing a hat.”

“Can’t be new glasses.” She frowned and tapped her chin with her index finger. “You’ve met Ms. Baker and you like her.”

“You got that from looking at me?” he asked. “That’s a bit of a stretch.”

“I heard you talking to her.” Katie shrugged. “Can’t blame a girl for being jealous. You’re smart, funny and single. I thought we had something.”

“We had one date.”

“It seemed like a lot.”

“I’m sorry.”

Katie tugged on the front of his shirt. “Don’t think I’m giving up. I’m not. I want you to have a choice, and I want a fighting chance to prove we’re good together.” She winked. “Choice is good.”

He didn’t know what to say. He’d tried to let her down gently, and she’d rebuked him, just like she had when he’d avoided the second date.

He watched her stroll away, but his heart didn’t flutter like it had with Tracey. Even the conversation with Katie felt wrong. He didn’t look forward to spending time with her and didn’t feel the spark. He did with Tracey.

He snorted and made his way back to the stage. Every second he’d wished his life would level off had been wasted. His life would never be normal or even. He had a kid and non-existent love life, but he wanted to date his high school crush.

Sticky situation, indeed.

Chapter Three

Tracey spent the next three nights after practice and fittings with Maisey in the store. Between the two of them, they’d sorted buttons and beads. She listened to Maisey’s stories about school and accepted her input on bead placement on the navy fabric. Some of Maisey’s suggestions for designs weren’t great, but a few were spot-on. Mostly, Tracey enjoyed Maisey’s chatter. Of all the things she missed in the city, the conversations were at the top. Granted, most of the people she chatted with were in the theatre, but they all felt like they were her family.

“Daddy says I’m a troublemaker,” Maisey said. She kicked her feet as she sat on one of the stools behind the sales counter. “My mom used to say that, too, but I never heard it.”

“I’m sure he means it in a nice way.” Or he only said such things under duress. Ryan was a tender-hearted man. As for Jessica, Tracey could see her using that term for her daughter.

“I used to take my diaper off when I was a baby.” Maisey collapsed into a fit of giggles. “He said it made me a heathen, but he loved me anyway.”

“Silly girl.” She turned the sign around on front door of her shop and locked up, then headed back to the sales counter.

“He says it when I don’t pick up my room or don’t do my homework.” She grinned. “Are you making me do my homework?”

“Do you have some?” She hadn’t thought to ask.

“Yes.”

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