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“Man, I miss your mom so much,” he admits, and I suck in a deep breath, the air feeling thin in my lungs.
“Me too,” I say, wishing she were here right now.
The mood turns somber, and I finish my drink. When Dad stands, I do too, and he pulls me into a hug.
“Marriage is supposed to be the happiest time of your life, sweetie. Don’t let all the small things ruin this moment.”
I squeeze him tight, wishing I could tell him everything but keep it buried deep inside. Maybe one day, he’ll know the truth, but that’s not going to be today.
“Love you, Dad.”
“Love you too,” he says before turning and walking inside the house.
I go into the cottage and grab my cell phone to see another text from Robert. Maybe this is all in my head, and I’m creating issues that aren’t there? Maybe I need to give him another chance to prove himself?
Unlocking my phone, I read his message.
Robert: I know I’m being pushy, baby. I just think about you all the time and miss you so much. Want to come over tonight?
I look up at the clock and realize how tipsy I actually am, but I could sober up in a few hours.
Gemma: Sorry, I was chatting with my dad. I’d like that a lot. What time?
The best thing I can do is get Tyler out of my mind and replace all those thoughts with Robert. He’s going to be my future husband, and I can’t allow what happened between Tyler and me to ruin my plans.
Robert suggests I come over around seven, and I tell him I’ll be there.
At least he’s trying. I should too. Relationships are full of ups and downs. Robert wants to marry me more than anything, so the least I can do is give it my all to see if that’s what I want too.
Tyler’s reaction today might be the closure I’ve so desperately needed, and since he felt nothing, maybe I’ll finally be able to move on without him.
CHAPTERTWENTY
TYLER
It’s beena week since Gemma came over to talk about what happened between us. I was purposely rude and short because I need to keep her away, regardless of how much it fucking hurts. The disappointment on her face when I told her I felt nothing was something I won’t forget for the rest of my life. Though, I’m not sure what she wanted me to say. If I admitted that it meant more to me than I led on and that I think she should dump her douchebag fiancé, it would’ve caused more problems.
So, I rejected her before she could ultimately deny me. Plus, that’s what she wants anyway—to pretend nothing happened. Must be so goddamn nice to easily forget something so goddamn beautiful. Regardless, that moment will forever live in my memory.
We lost control. I could’ve said no, but when it comes to Gemma, I’m weak as fuck. Maybe it was a mistake, but I don’t regret it. Right now, she’s doing enough of that for the both of us. Gemma already told me how she felt afterward before I stormed out, and I didn’t need to hear her say it again. I didn’t need or want the reminder that she’s not mine, even if for that moment I had her and she had me. That night, she would’ve undoubtedly given herself to me, allowed me to make love to her until the sun rose.
I saw the need in her eyes. I heard the desire in her breathless pants. She wanted me, and no matter how wrong she thinks it was, she didn’t stop. Instead, she fucked my fingers like she hadn’t been touched in a decade, and considering who her fiancé is, it doesn’t surprise me.
I woke up early this morning and trained two people, lifted some weights, then went home and showered. I’m in a good mood as I walk to work. It’s Friday, and I’m happy I’ll get a break from seeing Gemma this weekend, but then again, I love watching her squirm. She has an attitude and is treating me the same way she has all week—like a major inconvenience she’d rather not deal with.
After I grabbed a pastry, filled my coffee, and stood in the lobby, she huffed and puffed while typing loudly.
I think at this point she wishes I’d just quit, just like her future hubby wants, but it ain’t happening. Every time she steals a glance my way, I’m curious if I remind her that she willingly cheated on Robert. I wonder if she thinks about how she grinded against my cock, how I tasted her release on my fingers, and how she begged for more. She may not belong to me, but her body says otherwise. I try to push the thoughts away, but they always return.
How the fuck am I going to get over her?
“Just got a call from one of my part suppliers, and he’s not gonna be able to deliver the parts I need until after close. I have to meet a long-time customer about a car that won’t start. Kinda disappointed because it was all supposed to be here this mornin’. Don’t feel obligated to say yes, but do you mind waitin’ around for it to make sure it’s what we need?” Jerry asks between eating bites of a chocolate frosted donut. He let me leave early last week because I was so exhausted, so I owe him, plus he doesn’t ask for much.
“Sure, I don’t mind,” I say as I replace an air filter in a car.
Jerry smiles, then pats me on the back. “Thanks. Appreciate ya, son.”
After I’m done changing the oil in three vehicles and add refrigerant to another, I glance at the clock and see it’s lunchtime. When I walk into the lobby, there’s a dozen roses on the counter. I lift an eyebrow at her, shake my head, then leave and go to the deli on the corner. Belinda sets a sweet tea down on the table, and I order a hoagie. Once my food is set in front of me, my phone goes off, and I see a text from Liam.
