The little celebration for when I got my cast off is not what I had in mind. Ethan and his daddy are taking me to one of the finest restaurants in town. As much as I despise the idea, I plastered a joyful smile when they told me they're taking me to Sydney's restaurant.

I'm going to see the Sydney Williams. As if a distant thought of her is not a pill hard enough for swallowing. My expectations are a lot less awkward than when we got to said restaurant. From the way she happily stooped down to give Ethan a kiss, to the way my son responded with far more enthusiasm than I expected, I could tell the celebration is going to be a torture.

Sydney's acknowledgement to me wasn't exactly cold. We managed a subtle 'hi' and 'hello.' It wasn't the semi-cold shoulder that shivs at my gut though. It was Nathan knowing his way around like he's been a constant customer. It doesn't matter that we are on the table next to the muted city view.

And then to add some salt to my wounds, Sydney called him over to the bar to talk "briefly" about the location of properties she was planning to branch out. I know because Nathan had the politeness to at least disclose that detail to me.

I glowered at my salad. I managed at least two bites. Looking over to Ethan beside me, my hand goes the back of his head and idly stroke his hair.

He looks up with a smile. "Mommy, can you hand me the brown one?"

I slipped the crayon out of its case and put it in his hand.

"Thanks, mommy." He grins, then turns back to his coloring book splayed on the table. He dipped his head, tongue sticking out as he focused coloring a barn.

I threw a stealthy glance to the bar where Nathan is still talking to Sydney. My hands gripped the napkin.

Sydney Williams stands next to him like a slender glass of water – refreshing to the eyes. Her body is toned and I can't see a single sagging flesh. Her legs were in bold display with a slit going up to her thighs. The woman surely has the summer-bod. Her long, straight hair is framing her face in that respectable businesswoman kind of way.

I have to hand it to her; she's gone successful where I failed. She's gone fitter where I thickened.

There's also the smile she's urging out of Nathan. Every laugh, every lingering eye contact. I couldn't help but begrudge her of that.

I must be losing my mind.

"Mommy?"

I struggled to shift my eyes back to Ethan. "Yes, baby?"

"Why are you glaring at Aunt Syd?" He puts down his crayon and gives me his full attention.

I smile faintly. "No, I wasn't. I just thought that she's really pretty."

Ethan gave her a quick glance before fixing his blue eyes on my face. "She is. You're beautiful though."

"I am?" I laugh. "You're just telling that because I'm your mommy."

He shakes his head, narrowing his eyes speculatively. "No. You're really beautiful. Daddy says so. Besides, you always tell me it's not nice to lie to people."

My heart did a little happy flip. He says so? I shake my head, tamping down the suspicious warmth on my cheeks. "Okay. I'll say no more. You like Sydney?"

He shrugged. "She's okay, I guess."

"Do you guys hang out often?" I asks, hoping I don't sound like I was prying – because I was.

Ethan shakes his head. "No. Daddy and I hang out more with Uncle Vren and Christian."

I sighed... in relief?

God, I'm really am losing my mind.

"Chassie George?" A masculine voice came up to our table. It wasn't gravelly but it was just the right amount of husky. And I'm pretty sure I've heard it from somewhere.

I adjusted in my seat and turn to the source of the voice.

He was in a gray business suit. A light brown hair that could sold out a shampoo brand, first caught my attention. Then the soft, brown eyes cleared out the fog of my memory. I remember the sweet, charming smile from somewhere. "William Rossi?"

His dimples poked at his cheeks as he smiled even wider. "I'm so glad you remember. I could only imagine how foolish I might have looked if you didn't."

William Rossi.

The kind junior prom date I stood up back in high school. He's the vivid image of the 'golden boy.' He was our class president. He's volunteered to a lot of charities despite the busy schedules of being a member to every club at school. If he was blonde, he'll literally and figuratively be the 'golden boy.'

"Hi." I offered him a hug for old time's sake.

He returns the hug. "It's so nice to see you. You look great." He holds me in arm's length. "Beautiful as always."

My mouth curved, flattered by his compliment. "I can say the same thing to you. Oh, by the way, this is my son Ethan."

He looks down to a disapproving Ethan. "Hi, there. I heard about you."

Ethan didn't lift his gaze off the table.

Not a fan – no surprise there. "So, how are you?"

"I'm good," he says, putting his hand on his pocket. "You? Are you seeing anyone?"

"No. I've been pretty busy."

His hand went up to the back of his neck. "Oh, um, would there be any chance of me ever catching up with you?"

I laughed awkwardly. "Sure. I can do some catching up."

His brown eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yeah, I think that would be fun." I immediately exchange numbers with him before Ethan blow him off. This is one of those situations where you just have to grab a date with greedy hands.

"I'll see you on Friday?"

"Friday." I beamed.

It was the first time I feel genuinely thrilled for having someone asked me out. I followed him with my gaze as he makes his way back to his table where I assume he was meeting a client or a co-worker. He looks back at me, typing something on his phone.

My phone beeped. I opened the text message and smiled when I realized it was from him. It read, "Have I told you it was really nice to see you?"

I sent a quick reply.

"I want to go home." Ethan muttered grumpily.

"But you said you loved this place."

He closes his coloring book, crawling to my lap. "Let's just go home."

"I thought you hated sitting on my lap in public." I put down the phone and look down to Ethan who was on the verge of a tantrum.

He shakes his head, sporting the longest face. Just then, Sydney and Nathan came back to our table.

"Hi, what's going on here? Is that a pout I see?" Sydney chirped.

"Daddy, I want to go home." He looks up to his daddy, a dark scowl on his face.

Nathan looks at me questioningly.

I shrug, not really knowing what to say.

Ethan wraps his arms around me, burying his head on my chest. I secured an arm around him and got off my seat.

"But, baby, you just got here." Sydney cooed, touching his arm.

"No. I want to go," he grumbles, he sinks himself further to my embrace deliberately shunning her touch.

Hurt fled past her eyes.

"Sorry," I murmured.

Nathan smiles apologetically at her. She nodded, a look of understanding on her face. Nathan walks around to Ethan's side of the table and carefully put his crayons and coloring book back to his backpack.