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I laughed. “It’ll be a surprise then?”
Tiff widened her eyes for effect. “The biggest.” Then she laughed with me.
“What’s his name? Maybe I know him. Southport isn’t that big,” I asked. Whitney was gesturing to me from the other side of the store. She held up a shirt and I nodded, giving her a thumbs up.
Tiff went back to combing through dresses. “I think it’s best I don’t say,” she said rather mysteriously.
“Oh, come on, I thought we were old friends by now,” I chuckled.
Tiff inclined her head toward where Whitney was trying to get my attention again. “It seems you’re needed.”
I sighed. “I guess so. It’s back to the wilds of men’s attire for me.”
Tiffany laughed. “You’re a funny woman, Skylar. I’m glad I met you.”
I felt warm at her compliment. “Thanks, likewise.”
“I hope to see you around,” Tiff said, sounding sincere. “And forget about that guy. You don’t need him anyway.”
I pumped my fist. “That’s right. Girl power, am I right?”
“Sky!” Whitney called out, getting irritated.
“Bye, Tiff. Good luck with your guy,” I told her before hurrying back to my friend.
Whitney was more than annoyed when I rejoined her. “Thanks for ditching me. Who even was that woman?” she grumbled, glaring at me.
I turned back to see Tiff was leaving the store. “Just some nice lady who has just moved to town. She was pretty cool.”
“Pretty weird is more like it,” Whitney retorted. “What kind of person jumps into a stranger’s conversation like that? I thought she was a bit rude.”
“I think she was simply overcome by female solidarity is all.” I frowned, thinking back to the conversation I just had. It was slightly odd. But I shook it off. “Sometimes it’s nice hearing an outsider’s perspective on things.”
“Even though she doesn’t know anything about you or Robert or how the two of you are together. But sure, take the word of a rando in a clothing store over your friend who knows the both of you.” Whitney was getting testy. “And I still don’t know which shirt to get Kyle.”
“Sorry, Whit. Okay, my attention is firmly focused on finding the best damn shirt Web has ever seen,” I assured her.
Whitney harrumphed but seemed appeased.
Yet I couldn’t stop thinking about what Tiff said. To trust my instincts. Too bad I couldn’t be sure what my instincts were trying to tell me.
**
I spent most of the day with Whitney and as such, I hadn’t gotten any actual work done for the three projects I had to complete. There was the other downside when you were the boss. Procrastination was all too appealing.
When I finally got back to my house a little after five, six long hours later, I was shocked to find a beat-up Camry parked in my driveway and someone on my porch, bent over by my door.
“Who’s that?” Whitney asked as she pulled into my driveway.
“I have no idea.” The sun was starting to set so I couldn’t make out who it was. “Let me go see what’s going on.”
“I’m going to wait. I’m not leaving you out here in the middle of nowhere with some guy on your porch. That’s like the beginning of every crime documentary I’ve ever seen.” Whitney picked up her phone. “Just give me the signal if you need me to call 9-1-1.”
I started to get out of the car when the person turned around and my heart started pounding instantly.
“Is that Robert?” Whitney peered through her windshield.
“That’s exactly who it is,” I said through clenched teeth. I closed the door and leaned down to talk to her through the partially open window. “Why don’t you come in for a bit—”
“Sorry, Sky, I’ve gotta pick up Katie,” Whitney announced, putting the car into reverse.
“What happened to waiting and calling 9-1-1 if I needed to?” I yelled as she started pulling away.
She held her arm out of the window and waved as she booked it down the driveway.
I sighed and mentally prepared myself as I turned and headed toward the house. I could hear Edgar going nuts inside. Robert watched me; his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He had obviously just come from work. He was wearing tailored grey pants and a button-down green shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow. His top button was undone and the tie loose around his neck. His glasses had slipped down his nose and his hair had the messy quality of someone who had spent many hours combing his hands through it.
He looked amazing. Bastard.
“You want to back away from the door, please? Poor Edgar is going to claw his way through the wood.” My words were clipped with annoyance as I pulled my keys out to unlock the door. “What are you doing here?”
Robert picked up a large item wrapped in shipping paper and moved to the side. “Sorry, I should have called, but I figured I’d just swing by after work.”
