I coughed out. "Are you asking me out?" I finally managed to say.

"Not exactly." Luke smiled. "I've got an event on for the paper on Saturday night. It might be a good time for you to be introduced and all."

"Oh." Was all I could manage to say.

"So sign in to a course, send me the billing info and the company will cover the cost." Luke told me as he pulled out a business card, giving it to me.

I lightly took it and thanked him for it.

"Saturday, 4pm. I'll pick you up from your place."

"Okay." I whispered out. It wasn't until after Luke left that I remembered about Rowan. I'll need a babysitter. I got up and raced to Sasha's desk.

"Sasha, Sasha, Sasha!" I hurried towards her, putting my arms out on her desk to stop me from coming closer. "Have I ever told you that I love you?" I sweetened my voice at her as I batted my eyes.

Sasha laughed as she put her pen down. "What's up?"

"I need a babysitter."

Sasha faked a moan as she pretended to think about it. "I dunno. When?"

"Saturday arvo, all night?" I wouldn't have a clue when I would get home.

"Oh, you'll be pressing my timetable." Sasha teased me.

"Pwetty pwease." I batted my eyes again.

"Seeing that cutie. Of course I can. The hubby is in this weekend, he can help."

I gave her a bright smile. "Thank you!"

****

I did a pit stop to a lawyers on Wednesday during lunch, after meeting the new boss and had paper work drawn up.

It was ready for pick up after work that day and I had personally delivered it to Ryder's house after taking Rowan to day care Thursday morning.

Ryder had left already for the day, thank goodness, I didn't feel like talking to him but it was today, Friday, that he had visited me, while I was at work that had thrown me off.

I heard a knock on the door and five of my colleagues, Luke, Jan and myself all turned to the door as it opened, my assistant poking her head in.

"Sorry. I'm after Rhea." She whispered loudly.

I immediately shot up and went to her. She knows not to disturb my meetings unless it's Rowan.

"What's wrong?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

"There is someone here to see you. I tried telling him that you can't be disturbed."

"So it has nothing to do with Rowan?" I asked.

She shook her head.

"Then tell him to wait. I'm nearly done anyway." I muttered as I closed the door. "Sorry." I grumbled as I sat down.

My meeting went for another twenty minutes and after it was finished, it was just Luke and me in the board room.

"So, are we good for Saturday night still?" Luke asked me.

"Oh, sure. What exactly is it?" I asked as I closed my book, pulling my glasses off.

"Just a mixer, at a local club."

"So I'm not turning up in the wrong attire, should I wear a cocktail dress?" I didn't want to turn up in jeans and shirt if everyone else will be dressed to the nines.

"Yeah." He answered as he sat on the table, just next to me. "You don't have a problem with that, do you?"

I gave him a smile. "No. It's been a while since I've done anything like that." Since I was married.

I got up off my seat and went to the door, opening it when I realised my assistant was here earlier, telling me someone was here to see me. I went to my office, finding Ryder in my chair, holding a picture frame.

"Finally!" He groaned as he placed the frame down.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him as I stood there. "And get out off my seat."

"I want to talk about this." He said as he slapped the thick folder down on to my surprisingly clean table.

I eyed it off as Ryder stood up and went before me. "Custody papers?"

"Yes. I won't have you pull any legal tricks on me." I told him as I wedged between him and the small sofa behind me.

"I suppose divorce papers are next?"

I grinned at him as I sat down, sliding my glasses on. "Oh, don't tempt me."

I picked up a pen and it went straight to my mouth as I opened the folder. I scanned my eyes over the pages, a frown on my head. "You haven't signed anything."

"Not yet."

I groaned as I pushed the folder away. "Look, this is just a legal way of stating you can't take my son away from me."

"I wouldn't do that. I don't want to hurt you. But he is my son too." Ryder snipped.

"I know that. That is why I'm doing it this way. It's the first step you can take on earning my trust. You might even graduate to unsupervised visits." I narrowed my eyes at him as he sighed, sitting down. "So please, just sign the damn papers."

"How do I know you won't trick me."

"What?" I laughed. "Like you did to me? I won't stoop to your level. There are two copies. One for you, the other for me."

Ryder growled as he picked up a pen. "I've spent all night reading these." He muttered as he signed his name, but suddenly stopped. "I want Rowan to have my name."

I glared at him. "What? His name is Rowan Dean Matthews." I spat.

"I want him to have my surname." Ryder told me again, more persistent.

"Fine."

"Plus I want to be acknowledged on his birth certificate."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."

"Don't roll your eyes." He growled at me. In return, I closed my eyes and rolled them, pouting. "There."

I took my copy. "Thank you."

"How about we go out for dinner, Saturday night? I had plans, but I'm more than happy to blow them off."

My eyebrow arched. "Sorry. But I've got plans already." I told him as I placed my paperwork in a drawer.

"To-"

"No." I said. "Just leave, please. I have work to do."

Ryder clenched his jaw and stayed for a few more seconds before leaning down on to the table. "I'm not giving up on you." He said lowly and provocatively.

I kept my eye contact with him, not saying anything as he turned and left my office.

I picked up the picture Ryder was holding and stared at it. It was a costume themed party and I was dressed as Cruella Di Ville and Rowan, who was only four months old was dressed as a Dalmatian puppy. I loved the photo. Smiling, I placed it back where it belonged, next to my monitor.

Flashback

"Please put it on!" Rhea jumped as she waited for Ryder.

"I never agreed to this!" Ryder growled at her through the door.

"You said you'll come with me. It's a dress up party!" Rhea giggled.

"I look ridiculous."

"I'll be the judge of that. Now show me."

The door slowly opened and Ryder came out, wearing a priest outfit. Rhea smiled widely. "See, you look hot!" He complained. Rhea took the habit in her hands.

"Because I'm a sexy nun." She grinned, twirling. Ryder stepped forward and took her in his arms. "Just play along, for me, please, Ryder. I love Halloween."

"It's not even our tradition. We're Aussie. Not American."

"But it's fun." Rhea pouted as she wrapped her hands around his neck. "Besides," she whispered to him. "I know lots of sin I can do later that you can punish me for."

The room filled with Rhea's laugh as Ryder gripped her, tickling Rhea's ribs as he went for her neck.

Now

I applied the blush on my cheeks and then the lipstick as I looked myself over. My hair was in a very loose side braid then swept into a ponytail, curls and ringlets cascading down my back.

My red dress sat off my shoulders and wrapped around my chest and waist, exposing a bit of cleavage and puffed out at my hips, stopping short at just above my knees. I slipped my feet in to the matching stilettos and picked up my clutch as I went to the kitchen.

I waited nervously but not for long as there was a knock on my door.

I went there and opened it, smiling at Luke in front off me.

"Wow." He breathed out as I stood back and gave him a pose.

I eyed off his suit and admitted to myself that he looked fine. Hot kind of fine. "Not bad yourself." I smiled as I took his arm, closing the front door and locking it.

Luke escorted me to his car, a slim BMW, and opened the door for me. I smiled and thanked him as I got in, putting my seat belt on.

"So this mixer..." I began.

"Oh yes, something I do every couple of months. Loosen up my staff, get them to enjoy why they work at my paper. The last soiree, we did a 1920s theme."

I glanced over at Luke. "Dress ups?"

"Yeah, last year's Halloween was a blast."

"I love Halloween parties." I grinned at him.

"Do you celebrate it, or just dress up?"

I sighed. "Just dress up. Last year I was Sandy and my son was Danny."

Luke laughed as we turned the corner. "From Grease?"

"Yeah." I grinned.

Luke laughed again. "So you enjoy the whole dress up scene?"

"I don't mind it." I gave him a toothy grin. It didn't take long and Luke pulled up in the car park to the Bowls Club. It was a bit fancy for an after work beer and we made our way to the reception, letting Luke lead the way.

"Red really suits you. You look amazing." He told me as we went on down the hall.

"Thank you."

We walked in to the room and I looked around. There were divider walls set up and a circular bar in the middle of the walls, letting a person glimpse next door.

"I tried to get the whole floor, like I usually do, but there is a sixtieth next door." Luke told me as we went to the bar. "But that shouldn't be a problem."

I told him what drink I wanted and I received a glass of sweet white wine. Thanking him, I took a sip as I stayed by Luke's side. I was introduced to many people, the gathering a bit large.

"The local news?" I smiled as I shook a reporters hand.

"Cam, one of the photographers." Luke said to another.

"I'm, Melissa, I do the classified ads." The pretty brunette shook my hand. "I must say, Rhea, what an unusual name. I like it." She smiled.

"Thank you."

"So are you a plus one?" Melissa asked me.

"Actually, I'm introducing her to everyone because Rhea will be in our Lifestyle Section soon."

Melissa smiled at me. "Oh, so a new worker." We discussed a bit further and Luke disappeared and return with another glass of wine for me.

"How are you liking the party?" He asked as I heard smooth jazz play in the background.

I gave him a large grin. "It's great. Everyone is friendly."

"They usually are when they aren't competing." Luke laughed as he took my wine glass from me and placed our drinks on a nearby table. "Can you dance?"

I was looking behind me, a frown on my face before facing Luke again. I had the strangest feeling I was being watched. "Pardon?"

"Can you dance?" Luke asked again.

I was surprised as I looked on the dance floor. A few couples were dancing and laughing. "It's been a while." I admitted.

"How long is a while?" Luke asked as he took my hands.

"Since my wedding." I slipped out.

"Are you still married?" Luke asked casually.

I went to say no, but then I remembered, technically, I am. "Yes." I breathed out, "But hopefully, not for long."

Luke took me by the waist as we danced. I was having fun and laughing, even though a part of me was still unsettled feeling like someone was watching me.

When the music stopped, we all stopped dancing and clapped, making our way back to where Luke placed our drinks. I took a sip before excusing myself.

"I'm just going to find the ladies." I smiled as I took my clutch and left the function room, heading down the hall to the bathrooms.

Once finished, I walked out, checking my phone when a voice made me stop still.

"You always did look ravishing in red."

My head snapped up and saw the owner of the voice. "Ryder."