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“Not bad. Keeps my mind occupied, which I like, and off other things.” I don’t mention what those other things are, but nothing gets past Maddie.
“Like Gemma…” she whispers and grins.
“No, like the mafia princess who put me in prison,” I say sternly, but she was right. Gemma is always on my mind too. I just can’t admit that with her so close. But considering I’m going to Vegas this weekend for my deposition on Monday, it’s hard not to think about Victoria.
“Tyler, you better not be thinking what I think you are,” Liam states firmly.
I shrug, fully aware my food is getting cold in the next room. “I really do have to go, though.”
“We love you!” Maddie tells me. “Please call me soon. You know I’ll be bored on maternity leave!”
“I will, Mads. Don’t worry,” I promise with a sincere smile.
After we say our goodbyes, I hang up, take a deep breath, then enter the break room. Gemma really did pull the whiskey from her dad’s bottom drawer and opened it.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t wait,” she tells me around a mouthful. I move closer to her and brush my thumb across her cheek, wiping away the extra mayo on her face.
She swallows down her food and grabs a napkin. “I’m a hot mess.”
“What else is new?” I laugh and sit across from her. “Thanks for dinner.”
“Welcome,” she says, then hands me the whiskey. I take a huge swig, then hand it back to her, and she takes one too. As I take my food out of my bag and cut my burger, she grabs two plastic cups, and we empty the bottle of whiskey between us. While it takes the edge off, it’s not enough to get me drunk. It’s dangerous for her to be around me when she drinks because when her inhibitions are down, we do stupid things. But I promised myself that I’d try harder to keep her at arm’s length.
A part of me expects we’ll discuss what happened, but Gemma never brings it up and neither do I. We eat in silence, only the sounds of our breathing filling the space. When we’re almost done, she speaks up.
“Everleigh’s fall sale did great this week,” she tells me. “Sold out of all the Hans Solo costumes.”
I chuckle, thinking back to the beginning of the summer when I suggested she order all the leggings, vests, and boots. “I heard. She’s doing so well.”
“She is. I’m really proud of her for following her dreams.”
I meet her eyes. “What about your dreams?”
“I’m living my dreams right now.” She grins, but I wonder if it’s genuine.
“Yeah?”
With a nod, she gulps down the whiskey. “Yep. Working at the garage. Getting married to a good man. Living in an amazing town with amazing friends. I can’t really complain.”
“I’m happy for you,” I say, grabbing my cup and finishing mine. By the smile on her face, she hopes she’s convinced me, but her façade is crystal clear. I can see she’s playing a role, just as Robert wants her to. A part of me wants to shake her awake and force her to stop fooling herself and everyone around her, but I don’t. It’s obvious she wouldn’t leave him for me with everything he offers her.
Once we’re finished eating, I pick up our empty containers and take the trash to the dumpster out back. When I get to the side of the garage, the delivery truck backs into place. Gemma comes through the door and takes inventory as I check to make sure everything is correct. After thirty minutes, the driver is paid, parts are stocked on the shelf, and it’s finally time to go.
Gemma grabs her purse and locks up. “I guess that’s it.”
“Yeah,” I say. “Let me walk you to your car.”
She nods as we head outside. “Okay. I’m parked right up the street because the side lot was so full this morning.”
We move in silence toward her car that’s lit by a streetlight. I look around, checking for any vehicles I don’t recognize, but it all looks normal. When we turn the corner, Ruby seems to magically appear with a huge smile.
“Tyler! I was hoping I’d find you,” she says, pulling me in for a hug, then kisses my cheek. Ruby pulls back with a wide grin, then looks directly at Gemma who tenses.
“Wanna get a drink?” she asks, meeting my eyes.
I look down at the time on my phone and see it’s just past nine, which means she just got off work. “Yeah, I’d love that.”
Gemma scowls when Ruby latches onto my bicep.
“Wanna join us?” she asks Gemma sweetly.
“No, I can’t. Y’all have fun, though.” She glances at me, and I study her reaction. Jealousy. Regret. Maybe both. “Thanks again for helping. Good night, Tyler.”
“Good night,” I respond and watch her cross the street. Ruby and I wait until Gemma drives off before heading to the pub. It actually cracks me the fuck up that she’s so damn jealous when the ball has always been in her court.
