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“I think the booze has gone straight to your head.” Laughing, I grab our empty glasses, then head inside for refills.
“Make mine a double!” she calls from outside.
After I make another batch, I go back outside and hand hers over. “Take it easy now. It’s still the afternoon.”
“Oh, but it’s five o’clock somewhere.”
“I’ll cheer to that.”
We hang out, gossip, and listen to music while watching Owen play. I realize how much I’ve missed just talking to a friend over drinks.
“Hey, Mom.” Owen rushes over, nearly out of breath.
I smile at his cute dimples and messy dark hair. He looks more like Gabe the older he gets. Though he’ll never be able to meet him, I know his father would be proud of him.
“What, babe?” Katie asks, narrowing her eyes.
“Can Austin and I ride bikes to the park?”
Katie puts a hand above her eyes to block out the sun as she ponders it. “Alright, but wear your helmet.”
“Mom.” He groans with an eye roll. “I’m too old to wear that.”
“Oh, really? You’re too old to get hit by a truck and get your brain smashed? I didn’t realize there was an age limit for that…”
“Fine, whatever.” He walks off with Austin behind him, and I laugh as soon as he’s out of view. The park isn’t too far, but Katie’s always been protective of her son. Considering what she’s gone through, I don’t blame her.
“You have your hands full. That’s for sure,” I tease, taking a big gulp.
“Hence why we’re drinking margaritas.” She finishes her second one. “But seriously, he’s a good kid. I wish the circumstances were different, and he had a dad, or even a male figure in his life to hang out with.”
Before I can think twice about it, I blurt out, “What about Tyler?”
“You want me to marry Tyler so he can have a dad?”
My eyes widen as I take in how tipsy Katie is, and then I burst out laughing. “No! I meant he could be Owen’s friend or whatever. I’m sure Tyler wouldn’t mind playing basketball or football with him. Like the Big Brothers program, except he’s not a stranger.”
“I know Tyler from high school. I don’t know Tyler after prison. He just moved back. Plus, I don’t want the first real conversation we have to be about him hanging out with my son.”
“Yeah, he’s definitely…changed.”
Turning toward me, she studies my face. “How are things going with him at the shop? Things seemed tense at the bar last weekend.”
I swallow hard and lick my lips. “It’s…interesting. After I made a fool of myself when he took me home, I can barely look at him,” I admit with shame.
“Whoa, what? You better spill the tea. Wait! We need another round.”
“No, no, no…”
“Yes! C’mon. Let’s get out of the sun before we turn into lobsters. Then I wanna hear all about it.”
Oh God. I groan and follow her into the house where I recap that night and blush at how embarrassing it was.
“Wow…” She smirks as we sit on the couch with our third glass of margaritas. “I can’t believe you stripped down to your bra and panties. What do you think would’ve happened if he’d stayed the night?”
My cheeks heat at the number of times I’ve thought of that same thing over the past week. “I should’ve never asked…” I shake my head, unable to finish. “Anyway, now it’s awkward, and I’m an idiot.”
“No, you’re not. I’m sure him being here is confusing, considering you’ve had feelings for him since you were a teenager. Even more now that you see him every day at work.”
I nod with a frown. “I feel like a piece of shit. I’m engaged to another man, but still think about Tyler, even after he broke my heart. After all the years I waited for him, there’s still that what-if in the back of my mind that I can’t let go.”
Katie leans over and wraps her arm around me, pulling me in for a hug. “Only you know what your heart is feeling, and only you can decide what you want. Follow your gut because if I had done that ten years ago, everything would be different.”
Chapter Eleven
TYLER
It’s officially my second week of working at Reid’s Garage, and I enjoy the solitude when I’m focused on a task. I’ve always been good with my hands and figuring out how to fix things, but lately, I’ve been distracted. My head’s still spinning with thoughts of Gemma. I can’t stop thinking about how she flirted with me after I took her home last Friday. It doesn’t help that I hear her sweet humming all day at work.
She walks around the shop and into the break room, avoiding my gaze. I’m starting to get used to it even though I wish she’d just forget about it so we can move on from the awkward tension.
