Page 25 of Chasing the Sun

She had no real reason to doubt him, but look at what had happened with Rita on her innocent outing to the playground. Plus, she was always suspicious of exes who claimed to be “congenial.” If they were so chummy, why’d they get divorced?

When Victoria climbed out of her sporty red convertible with a huge smile on her face, Chloe decided he might have been telling the truth after all.

Victoria flung open her arms, and Molly dashed off the porch and ran into them. She picked Molly up and swung her around, reminding Chloe of a touching movie scene.

Glancing around at this house (estate was more fitting), the immaculate grounds, and the attractive woman standing before her, Chloe thought she might have been knocked out and woken up in another world—someone else’s world.

“You must be Chloe. It’s great to meet you,” Victoria said after she’d set Molly down.

It is? “Yes. You too.”

“Molly and Bryce have been bragging about you.”

“Really?” Chloe hadn’t meant to sound so insecure, but she couldn’t imagine Bryce “bragging” about her.

“Yes. He said that you’re teaching Molly ballet.”

“I get to wear a pink tutu and ballet shoes,” Molly said proudly.

Talking about dance put Chloe at ease. “We just started this week, but Molly’s an excellent student.”

“We’re going to have a recital and everything!” Molly added.

“A recital? Well, I hope I’m invited,” Victoria said, smoothing down Molly’s hair.

Chloe hesitated, but Molly nodded enthusiastically.

“Sweetie, why don’t you get your bag so we can get going?” Victoria said. In Molly’s excitement, she’d left it on the porch.

“I really appreciate you watching her,” Victoria said after Molly had run off. “Bryce said you’re doing a terrific job, and I can tell by her smile that you are.”

Chloe studied her for a moment, looking for any signs of insincerity, but there were none. What she saw was a mother who wanted the best for her daughter just like Bryce did.

“I’m enjoying it,” she replied, and it was true. She’d been unsure about taking the position at first, but with each passing day, she was becoming more and more comfortable—with Molly, anyway. She was still a bit on edge around Bryce.

Molly returned with her princess duffel bag, and Victoria took it from her and placed it on the backseat.

“Bye, Miss Chloe. See you on Sunday.”

“Bye. Have fun with your mom.”

With that, Molly climbed into the car seat and buckled up.

“It was nice meeting you, Chloe.”

“You too.”

Victoria slid into the front seat and drove away, taking Chloe’s purpose for being there with her.

Now what? Chloe had spoken to Elle earlier, and she and Jamie already had plans to go out with their neighbors. She’d invited Chloe to come along, but Chloe had declined, and they’d made plans to go shopping on Saturday instead.

She plunked down on the couch and considered her options, realizing how quiet it was in the house without Molly there. It was a hot summer night, and a dip in the pool would feel nice. However, the last time she’d gone swimming this late in the day, Bryce had come home, and she’d felt uncomfortable when he’d seen her in a bikini. She worked hard to stay in good shape and wasn’t ashamed of her body, but she hadn’t wanted him to think she’d timed her swim to coincide with his arrival. It just so happened that Molly had asked to go swimming late in the afternoon, and Chloe had had no idea when Bryce would come home.

Now it was approaching six o’clock, and he could walk in the door at any moment. Since Molly was gone, he might have made other plans, though, and he’d have no reason to check in with her.

Besides, he’d already explained that she was free to come and go as she pleased until Sunday evening when Molly returned. She assumed the same applied to him.

She’d just resigned herself to spending the evening alone when her phone rang, and Bryce’s name flashed on the screen.