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Noah might’ve made a tragic mistake, but he’s not a murderer. My brother has the kindest, most honest heart, and I don’t care what the assholes at the grocery store mutter under their breaths when I walk in. Over the years, it’s gotten better, but the wounds aren’t fully healed, especially Katie’s.
Dad always talks about paying it forward and treating people the way you want to be treated. It’s one of his core values, one that Noah and I were taught growing up. While Tyler needs this job, it won’t make seeing him every day any easier. There are a lot of hard feelings and buried emotions when it comes to him, and it was easy to forget what happened when he wasn’t in town. Now, he’ll only be feet away from me; a constant reminder I wasn’t enough to make him stay.
My heart races thinking about it.
I glance up at the clock and notice I’m late to a lunch date with Robert. Dad pulls out his sandwich and sits at the little table, and I give him a quick squeeze and tell him I’ll be back in an hour. That’s one good thing about working here. Dad doesn’t care if I go out during the day. I have leniency, and pretty much can do whatever I want, though I never leave him hanging. It’s a cushy job, and I get paid well. My dad always wants the best for his kids, but he makes me earn it too. Handouts don’t and won’t ever exist around here.
As I drive across town, my mind spins. Mindlessly, I drive to one of the only fine dining restaurants in town.
Before I get out, I check myself in the mirror and notice how frazzled I look. I tuck my wild hair behind my ears and pull some lipstick from my purse to add some color to my lips. After a few deep breaths, I walk into the restaurant with a smile planted as I search for him.
As soon as Robert sees me, his hazel eyes light up, and he stands. I quickly realize we’re not dining alone since a couple of other men are seated at the table. Once I reach him, Robert leans in and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. Before sitting, he whispers in my ear how pretty I look. Then being the doting fiancée that I am, I smile at all the men at the table and sit next to Robert.
His hard work and determination are admirable. Business is booming right now, and he works himself to the bone. While I understand why he’s always on the go, this typically means we don’t get to spend as much time together as we’d like. The moments we do have, I want to treasure and not share him with other people, but I make exceptions.
I should be used to this by now, though, because it happens so often. I’m lucky to have found a loving man who wants to make me happy. Most people assume that since we’re fifteen years apart, I’m only with him because of his wealth. Being with Robert has nothing to do with his money or businesses. Though he’s every woman’s cliché of the perfect man—tall, dark, and handsome—I wanted a relationship based on mutual love and respect. I don’t care if he can buy me the world. Large diamond rings, mansions, and fancy cars don’t matter to me.
“So this is your beautiful fiancée,” a man says, then continues, “I’m Stanley.”
Robert wraps his arm around me, pulls me close, then properly introduces everyone. Afterward, we order, and I consider getting a glass of wine to relieve the tension. Though my dad wouldn’t mind, I try not to go to work buzzed.
As I sip my water, I play out everything that’ll happen during this predictable lunch. They’re always exactly the same as if we’re all reading from a script. Robert laughs when he’s supposed to, and I join him likeI’msupposed to. I can tell they’ve been talking about this for a while when Robert reminds him other buyers are interested. By the time we finish eating, Stanley finally makes a decision and wants to close on a few acres of land on the outskirts of town. Robert is thrilled about sealing the deal and hands his credit card to the waitress to pay for everyone. They plan to meet at Robert’s office in an hour to sign the contract and make it official.
When we get up and say our goodbyes, Robert lingers behind with me as the men leave. He looks at me with bright blue eyes and grins.
“See, sweetie, you’re my lucky charm.”
I laugh because this isn’t the first time he’s said that, and I wonder if he really believes it. Perhaps it’s why he invites me to these meetings even though I’d rather just spend time alone with him.
Robert and I walk outside hand in hand as he leads me to my car. Before I open the door, he pulls me into his arms and places a chaste kiss on my lips.
“Thank you, beautiful,” he murmurs, sliding his arm around my waist.
“For what?”
“For coming to lunch. Agreeing to marry me. Loving me.” He nuzzles his lips into my neck, and I can smell the mixture of his soap and cologne. “I miss you so damn much.”
“You saw me last night.” I chuckle, but I’ve missed him too.
“Yes, but I hate waking up without you next to me. I hate that my girl won’t move in so we can start our life. You should think about it, Gemma. I keep asking because I’m not a patient man. I want you now.” He flashes a boyish grin that almost always gets him his way.
He slides his lips across mine, and I sink into him. When we break apart, I let out a dreamy sigh.
“I just want to wake up together every day to be special after we’re married,” I remind him.
“It’s so old-fashioned to wait until marriage, though. There’s plenty of room for you in my house. And plenty of room for you in my bed.”
He mentions this so much that there’s no way I’ll be able to keep squirming out of it. So I tell him the truth. “I’m not ready to leave my house yet.”
The mood turns serious, but Robert brushes it off like he always does. In another week, he’ll bring it up again, hoping I’ve changed my mind and won’t say no, but I will. Then we’ll go our separate ways, and he’ll be full of disappointment while I harbor all the guilt.
“I’m a greedy man when it comes to you, Gemma. I want to spend all my time with you, and it wounds me that I can’t. But I don’t want to force you into something you don’t want right now.” He places his soft lips on my knuckles, and that’s when the shame swells inside me.
“There’s no need to rush when we have forever,” I say sweetly, and he nods. Sometimes, I feel like he’s trying too hard, and he shouldn’t. Is it insecurity, maybe? Before I can continue to reassure him, his cell rings, and he tells me he has to take the call. Another client. More property sold. And just like that, he gives me a quick peck and rushes to his car.
I drive back to the garage with too many thoughts streaming through my mind, which make me anxious. After I walk back into the shop and tell my dad I’ve returned, I grab my phone and text Everleigh since I forgot to last night.
Gemma: Please tell me you didn’t know your brother would interview for a job at the garage.
