A Measure of Love (30 page)

He glanced at the clock on the wall of the shop. “Noah and Lex land at JFK tomorrow morning.”

Max smirked. “I know, dude. You’ve talked about nothing else for a week.”

Riley shrugged without apology.

“I think it’s sweet,” commented Steph as she walked past them back to her desk.

“See?” Riley said with an arm extended in Steph’s direction. “I’m sweet. Chicks dig this shit.”

“Sure they do.” Max rolled his eyes and dropped down into the pit under a 1968 Dodge Charger.

“How’s Grace, Max? You still lovin’ having her in the city with you?” Riley called, picking up his mug of coffee and chuckling at the narrow-eyed expression and dirty rag that was thrown back at him.

“She’s good. And. Yes.”

“Great,” Riley replied, elongating the vowel just to wind Max up further before turning the volume up on the stereo to drown out his retorts. Riley didn’t know why Max still got so touchy about loving Grace, especially since they’d been officially together for nearly a year, but it was funny as hell. He crouched down, catching Max’s eye under the car. “You’re still gonna bring Grace to meet Lex and Noah on Saturday night, right? Kat and Carter are coming.”

“Sure. I think Grace is more excited than you.”

The day dragged at a snail’s pace, with Riley constantly watching the clock. Every text that Lexie sent him appeared to turn the clock back another hour, driving him beyond distraction, but eventually the day was over and, after he’d shut up the shop, Riley made his way to a couple of stores, grabbing a few last-minute bits for Lexie and Noah’s arrival.

It was the first time the two of them had come to New York to visit, and Riley had never been more excited. It was going to be four days of awesomeness and he couldn’t wait. He’d even planned a few tourist-type trips for them to take, including to Lady Liberty, whom he knew Noah would lose his shit over. Riley bought a blow-up bed for his spare room, which he’d had to clear of all the junk he’d collected over the six years he’d lived in the apartment. He made sure that his comic-book movie collection was up to date and that his kitchen was filled with everything Noah and Lexie might want.

“I gets to see you tomorrow!” Noah yelled down the phone when Riley called later that evening.

“You do,” Riley said with a laugh. “I can’t wait. I’ve missed you, man.”

“I missed yous, too. It’s been a billion years.”

It sure did feel like it, even though he’d seen Noah and Lexie only ten days ago. The longest ten days ever. “I know. It sucks. But tomorrow we can hang out and do whatever you like. Make sure you sleep good tonight, okay?”

“Okay! ’Bye!”

For weeks, Riley had been putting out feelers back in Michigan about possible work, but it seemed that mechanics were an overpopulated race in Traverse City, and, ironically enough, he seemed too overqualified for many to take him on. He’d also worked up the nerve to talk to Max about the shop and what his future options were.

It seemed Riley had two. One: he could cash in his share of O’Hare’s and the money it had already made—which wasn’t a vast amount in only eighteen months—or two: keep his share and use it as a nest egg, which, as a father with a son to think about, wasn’t a bad idea. Either way, they weren’t the perfect solutions Riley was hoping for, but he tried not to get too despondent about it; something would turn up. It always did.

The following morning, standing in the arrivals at JFK, Riley heard Noah before he saw him. With only eleven days since their last meeting, Riley could have sworn that Noah had grown again. He charged at Riley, arms out wide, smile beautiful and excited. Riley grabbed him and picked him up, swinging him around and clutching him close, breathing in the scent of sugar, sun, and something that was inherently Noah. He blew a raspberry on Noah’s cheek and grinned when he squealed and wiggled to be put down. It was then that he heard Lexie. Her laughter floated toward him, filling the parts of him that belonged only to her.

She was lovely in the New York sun streaming through the windows of the airport concourse. Her glasses, her pink Muse T-shirt, and her pink flip-flops were perfection. She was the girl he remembered, the woman he was getting to know again, to care about again, and everything in between.

Making sure Noah was still at his side, Riley moved toward her, feeling as though his body were in slow motion. Apart from his heart. His heart pounded. He wanted to kiss her—they’d done a lot of covert kissing over the past six weeks, each kiss becoming a little more heated, each one a silent promise of what was to come—but Riley knew he and Lexie still had to be cautious around Noah. The little boy was too smart for his own good, and Riley didn’t want to confuse him.

Riley placed a hand on Lex’s waist and pulled her to him, furtively kissing the hollow behind her ear.

“I missed you,” she whispered.

He stepped back and grinned. He’d missed her, too. “Good flight?” He looked down at Noah as he spoke, always aware of including him in any of his and Lex’s conversations—where possible, of course.

“We gots snacks,” Noah enthused, grabbing hold of Riley’s two middle fingers and swinging their arms.

“Awesome!” He twirled Noah under his arm. “What do you say
we go back to my place, drop off your stuff, and then we adventure around the city?”

Noah paused. “An adventure?”

Riley winked at him. “We may even see Spider-Man.”

Noah’s mouth dropped open. “We haves to go now!”

He pulled on Riley’s hand, dragging him as much as his four-year-old body would allow.

·   ·   ·

“Welcome,” Riley said with a smile and a rattle of his keys. He placed Lexie’s bag down and gestured for them to enter. Inviting Lexie and Noah into his apartment was an altogether odd experience, kind of like seeing his past and present merge.

It wasn’t odd, however, that seeing them both in his home filled him with something akin to serenity. He and Lexie had discussed her and Noah’s trip to New York for a while before they made any concrete plans. They both comprehended what a huge step it was, showing Noah where Riley lived, as well as it dredging up old memories of what could have been had things been different and Lexie gone to NYU with Riley all those years ago.

Watching Lexie and Noah in his apartment, Riley quickly pushed those thoughts away. There was no point mulling over it all now. The anger and the hurt he’d harbored since his return to Michigan had diluted considerably over the past few months and, honestly, Riley was glad of it. Having such negative emotions within him was exhausting. Lexie continued to go above and beyond in terms of helping push his and Noah’s relationship forward, while allowing Riley space to consider what he wanted. Despite the effort she was still making with Riley’s parents, his brothers were yet to be convinced; the three of them were still understandably protective after Lexie’s Noah bombshell.

As always, Dex was objective and logical, always studying a situation from all angles before he made a comment, while Tate
called a spade a spade, and Seb took the opinion that if Riley was happy, then fuck it. The four of them were finally getting together for an early birthday celebration for Seb at their parents’ house in a few weeks, and Riley couldn’t wait.

Lexie stood next to his sofa as Noah investigated the place, skipping around and seemingly touching everything he could. “It’s lovely,” she murmured. “Noah, watch what you’re doing, baby.”

“He’s fine,” Riley said softly, moving to her side.

“This place is great.”

Riley looked around as though he’d never seen his apartment before. “Yeah, it’s not bad.” He kicked his foot against the floor.

Lexie crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. “I’m so happy to be here.”

“Me too.”

“Can we goes out now?” Noah asked as he ran around the couch and stood with them.

“Sure thing, man,” Riley answered. “You ready? I thought we could go to see the Statue of Liberty.”

Noah jumped up and down like a jack-in-the-box, clapping wildly.

It had been a very long time since Riley had allowed himself to be a tourist in New York City, but seeing the joy and wonder on Noah and Lexie’s faces made it all worthwhile. Noah was awestruck by Lady Liberty and later ran around like a lunatic as they wandered through Central Park.

Seeing Lexie laugh and enjoy herself reminded Riley of when he’d first moved to New York when he was eighteen. He’d had so many plans, so many dreams about what he and Lexie could do together. The only thing that had kept him even remotely sane when it all fell apart—other than the women and booze—was the fact that the city was easy to get lost in.

Lexie nudged his shoulder with her own. “You okay?”

“Yes. I’m . . . I just . . . I can’t wait to rediscover this city with you two.”

Her top teeth traveled across her bottom lip as she looked back at him and then toward Noah. “I can’t wait, either.” She sighed. “Thank you,” she whispered before her eyes met his. “For being . . . you. For your patience, your forgiveness. For wanting me around.”

Riley stopped walking and turned to her, his fingers itching to reach out and touch her. He allowed his hand to find hers and squeezed it gently. “I meant what I said: I want to try.”

She nodded. “You just have to trust me again. I understand.” She tilted her head a little. “Do you? Do you trust me?”

Riley regarded her for a moment before taking a step closer to her. “Yeah. I think I do.” Forgetting where he was, he bent his head down to graze his lips against hers.

“Mommy!” Lexie didn’t flinch away, even though Riley jerked his head back. They both glanced over at the kid, climbing all over the
Alice in Wonderland
statue. “Looks at me.”

Riley chuckled. “Be careful, buddy. No broken bones.” Noah laughed and sat down, swinging his feet. “He doesn’t care, does he?” Riley asked, turning back to Lexie. “He doesn’t mind when you and I are . . . like this.”

Lexie shook her head. “He told me he likes it when you and I hug.”

“He did?” Riley startled.

“Yeah, he was just concerned that I liked your hugs better than his.”

Riley let his head fall back as he laughed loudly.

·   ·   ·

The next couple of days in New York were some of the best Lexie could remember. During the day, the three of them ventured about, visiting Ground Zero, walking the Brooklyn Bridge and fastening a padlock to it engraved with their names, riding the subway, seeing
the island from the top of the Empire State Building, and eating the most amazing food.

At night they hung out at Riley’s apartment, laughed, played, and, after Noah was fast asleep, she and Riley would talk and drink, kiss and rediscover each other in every way they could without falling into bed. It was wonderful becoming friends again, watching his trust for her slowly form behind his hazel eyes. She wanted so badly for him to trust her. It was a hell of a challenge having Riley so close, so tender, and not push for more, but she knew just how damned lucky she was to have him at all, let alone having his mouth on hers and his words of promise in her ear.

It was the most picture-perfect of existences, and it filled her with a hope so profound she could barely contain it. Her adoration and love for her son and his father could no more be measured than put into words.

“You look great.”

She turned from the mirror hanging on Riley’s bedroom wall to see him leaning against the doorjamb, smoking hot in his ripped jeans and gray T-shirt, which read “ ‘That’s what.’ —She.”

Lexie snorted and Riley glanced down at himself. “A Christmas present from my asshole brother,” he explained. “You doing okay? Still nervous?”

Lexie turned back to the mirror, wondering whether the shorts and white sleeveless blouse were too casual for a dinner with Riley’s friends. Was she nervous? Hell yes, but knowing what the evening meant to Riley kept a smile fixed front and center. His wanting to introduce her and Noah to his friends was a massive move. Lexie knew firsthand what Riley’s friends meant to him; as far as he was concerned, they were his extended family, and he was as loyal to them as if they shared blood. He’d always been that way, wearing his heart on his sleeve, proud and clear for all to see, taking no shit and protecting those he cared about fiercely. It was one of the things she loved most about him.

She stared at him in the mirror, knowing she didn’t deserve the second chance he seemed to be offering her but swearing silently that she’d spend every day she had giving back to the universe. “I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.”

He approached and placed his palms on her shoulders, giving them a squeeze. “It’ll be great. I know it.”

His hair had grown a lot over the past weeks and, with his beard, made him look more than a little sexy. “You look . . . great.” She didn’t mean for her voice to sound seductive, but hell, she couldn’t seem to stop it.

He chuckled. “Thank you. I’ll go and make sure Noah hasn’t fallen into a
Spider-Man
movie coma and help get him ready.”

An hour later they walked into 5 Napkin Burger and were directed toward a circular booth, where there were already four people sitting. Lexie was instantly struck by how good-looking everyone was and instantly regretted not putting in her bigger earrings and more sparkly septum ring. Riley’s hand found her lower back and he rubbed gently, seemingly sensing her reticence. Noah, on the other hand, was all smiles and eager to meet all the new people. The fact that he was cute as a damned button helped him fit in just fine.

“Hey, people,” Riley said with a wide smile. Four pairs of eyes looked at him before sliding over to Lexie and then to the little boy at their side. “This is Lexie and this is Noah.”

Lexie smiled. “Hi.”

“Hello,” Noah uttered.

Riley then pointed to each person in turn. “Guys, this is Max, my business partner, and his girlfriend, Grace, and this is Carter and his wife, Kat.”

“Nice to finally meet you, Lexie,” Kat said with a wide smile. Her hair was deep auburn and shone perfectly under the lights of the restaurant. “And Noah, aren’t you just the most handsome boy I’ve ever seen.”