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One thing is for certain—Everleigh won't let this die and will probably confront Tyler as soon as he’s home. Tucking my lips inside my mouth, I pretend as if I’m zipping them up and tossing the key.
“Did you forget who you’re talkin’ to? You can’t change the subject that easily, she continues, then takes a big bite of her wrap, but I’ve lost my appetite. “Who is she?”
“No idea. I don’t know anything about it, but thought you would if it was serious,” I confirm, which isn’t a lie. I don’t dare tell her how pretty the woman is and how she’s perfect for Tyler—fit with tattoos, bright eyes, and high cheekbones. Instead, I keep those details to myself because just thinking about her causes my blood to boil. Compared to her, I’m homely, the girl next door type. Ruby seems like she could give Tyler the best night of his life, and as much as I shouldn’t care and tell myself I don’t, there’s no denying the fact that I do.
I pick at my food, eating half of it as she talks about the shop and the new inventory she ordered. I’m happy she fills the silence because I don’t have much to say.
After we’re done eating, she hurries and grabs the check before I can, then takes care of it.
“No fair! You never let me pay.” I pretend to pout but smile and thank her. We exchange a hug, and before I turn and walk toward the garage, she looks at me.
“Everything okay between you and Tyler?”
Though a cool breeze is blowing against my cheeks, I feel like I’m on fire.
“Yeah, why?” I press, wondering if he said something about me.
She shakes her head. “Just wondering. You’ve both been…weird lately.”
I force a laugh. “No idea what you’re talking about. Everything about Tyler and me working together is weird.”
Waving her hand, she chuckles. “I guess you’re right. If you get bored tonight or tomorrow, come over! We can have a girls’ night since my brother’s gone. We can get drunk watching nineties rom-coms and eating Ben & Jerry’s.”
I grin, remembering I have to decide if I’m going to dinner with Robert tonight. “Maybe tomorrow.”
“Deal!” she tells me, and we go our separate ways. “Hope you sell out of everything today!” I shout over my shoulder.
She chuckles, giving me a thumbs-up.
The rest of the day at the garage is busy as hell. Robert texts me again about tonight, and I decide to join him. Apparently, I need to dress nice because the client we’re meeting is extremely high profile. I read between the lines of his message and know he wants to impress her. A few minutes later, he calls me.
“Hey, darling. What’re you up to?”
I smile at his genuine tone. “Just working my ass off. It’s been a Monday from hell.”
He chuckles. “Hope I’m not bothering you.”
“You’re not,” I say, as I make a fresh pot of coffee because I’m hitting my afternoon slump.
“Oh, I wanted to ask if you could write Winnie a check? She’s ordering some things for the wedding, and I’m about an hour and a half away from the house.”
“Yeah, sure. Not a problem. Can I do it when I get off at five?”
“That’s perfect. The checkbook is in the top drawer of my desk. Write it for five thousand, put it in an envelope, and place it in the mailbox. She said she’d run by after she got done with a client. I won’t have time to make it home before I pick you up for dinner.”
“Will do,” I tell him.
“I miss you and am so happy you’re coming tonight,” he admits. “Can’t wait to see you.”
“I know, baby, me too. Only a few more hours,” I remind him.
“Will you stay the night with me afterward?” he nearly begs. “I know it’s not the weekend, but I bought you something from that lingerie shop you like. Thought you could model it for me.”
A smile touches my lips. It means a lot to see him actually trying to spend more time with me. “Yeah, I’d love that.”
“Thank you for everything. I gotta go. Don’t forget about taking care of that for Winnie. Love you!”
“Love you too, Robert.” I end the call, then get back to work. The rest of the day passes by in a blink. Just as Dad promised, all the vehicles are ready to be picked up before close. He looks and sounds exhausted. We lock up and say our goodbyes.
