“Not really.”
Relief washed over me. If Gibson could read my mind, he’d never let me live it down.
“Can I ask why you broke up?” Maybe this would be the icebreaker I needed. Our time was running out, and I didn’t have any answers yet.
“He always breaks up with me before going out of town.”
Dirk really was a jerk. If I felt so inclined, I could hack Grannie’s security, gather everything I needed using facial recognition, and make his life a living hell.
Maybe I still would.
Chapter 13
Nina
Iwas about to run from Austin and his overwhelming presence when Dirk came in and called me babe like we hadn’t broken up. Like he hadn’t dumped me.
But he had, and I was tired of being at his beck and call.
When Dirk dumped me this last time, it’d felt different, and I hadn’t expected him to come back.I’m lucky Austin was here. He saved me from having to deal with Dirk on my own.
No matter what I told myself, I probably would’ve given in and taken him back rather than risk upsetting him.
The way Austin handled Dirk—calm, cool, collected—was more than impressive.
That’s the kind of guy I need. Someone caring and protective, like his uncle and his cousins, not someone who breaks up with me whenever he wants to be single for a party or a long weekend.
At least he didn’t cheat on me. Some consolation prize. I only took him back because, unlike both sets of parents, he came back after leaving me.
Only he didn’t love me.
It shouldn’t have taken me so long to send him packing, but having a part-time boyfriend had worked for me and my schedule. We went on the occasional date and scratched the occasional itch.
Maybe I would’ve given in again, but seeing Dirk next to Austin was an eye opener.
Austin was one hundred percent alpha male. He didn’t show off or raise his voice. He didn’t demand attention or respect.
He didn’t have to.He commands it simply by existing.
Suddenly, all Dirk’s flaws glowed like neon signs I’d conveniently worn sunglasses to dull. I never thought he was a great catch or a forever guy, but I ignored the red flags staring me in the face.
Thankfully, Austin chased him off, so not only did I not have to find the courage to tell him I wasn’t interested, but I didn’t think I’d ever see him again.
“Are you okay?” Beth asked as I walked around the counter.
“Yeah, I think so.”
I was still shocked that Austin told Dirk we had a date tonight. We didn’t.Austin made that clear before I returned to work.
Did I sound disappointed? Maybe. But it wasn’t every day I had a silver fox hit on me.
In fact, it had never happened.
Technically, he didn’t hit on me; he just lied about it.
“When Mary comes in, you can ask her to ban Dirk,” Beth offered.
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it or make anyone mad at me.
