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“Let’s get out of here,” I suggest, and her cheeks flush. I grab her hand and lead her away from the crowd. The music echoes off the buildings as we walk toward the patch to get our pumpkin. I hoist it up on my shoulder, and Gemma chuckles at the size of it. Before we leave, we stop at the booth and pick up the envelope with our pictures waiting for us.
Gemma opens it, and I see her emotions bubble when she pulls them out.
“Look at us,” she says, showing me the prints.
“T&G,” I whisper. “Forever.”
“Forever,” she repeats. “I’d like that.”
Chapter Fourteen
GEMMA
The last week with Tyler has been unreal, and I question if I’m living in one of my favorite romance movies. It’s different to be in a relationship where my partner actually cares. Tyler is different and wants to spend every free moment with me.
Every day after work, we’ve had dinner together and hung out. Most of the time, he cooks, and I watch, but I’m happy to learn a few things in the kitchen. Our night typically ends with us watching a movie, and even though I want more, we still haven’t had sex. Although I just ended a long-term relationship, when I’m with Tyler, it doesn’t feel like we’re moving too quick. He’s not a rebound and has always meant much more to me than that.
When I think about Tyler and our past, and compare it to what I had with Robert, there’s no comparison. The feelings I have when I’m with Tyler run deeper than surface level and nearly cut to the bone. While I haven’t voiced that to him because the thought is scary, I can’t deny I’m falling head over heels in love. It makes me wonder if I ever fell out of love with him in the first place.
On the way to work, I can’t stop thinking about seeing him. I never thought I’d enjoy working with the man I’m dating, but I do. Seeing him gives me something to look forward to. When I walk in, the donuts are already there, and Tyler’s standing with a cup of coffee in his hand. He studies me and smirks.
“I love it when you wear skirts like that.”
I move across the room. Meeting his eyes, I grin. “I love it when you take them off.”
Tyler groans and shakes his head. “Thanks. That’s what I’ll be thinking about for the rest of the shift.”
A smile plays on my lips when he adjusts himself. “Maybe you can come over tonight and show me how it’s done.”
He frowns. “I have two training sessions tonight, and I volunteered to close for Ruby so she could leave a little early. But afterward…” He takes a step closer until his face is inches from mine. I smell the hint of his body wash and cologne, and my panties nearly melt. “I’ll be happy to.”
My heart nearly beats from my chest, and I’m tempted to kiss him, but my dad enters, so I create space between us. Though Dad is well aware Robert and I are no longer together, it’s still awkward for him to see me close to Tyler, and I want to respect our workspace. Plus, I don’t want the whole world in our business, not while we’re still trying to navigate being together after all the Robert drama.
When his secretary confronted me at the Harvest Festival, I nearly lost my shit. Too many people don’t know how to mind their own damn business, and considering Robert flaunted me around everywhere, it’s a shock to most. I wish I could post fliers on every light post saying we broke up. Telling people doesn’t seem to be getting around as fast as I thought, so I’m not sure what else to do. But considering I’ve stopped wearing my ring, many have noticed, though they haven’t said much.
Lunch comes quick and Tyler and I eat together in the break room. It’s quiet, and we talk about Halloween since it’s this weekend.
“I’ve never been to an adult Halloween party, but I’d like to go to one,” I admit.
“We should plan one next year. It’ll be fun. We’ll get Everleigh in on it too. She’s seriously obsessed with everything black, orange, and purple.”
I giggle. “She’s always like that. Every. Single. Year.”
“I thought she would’ve grown out of it, but guess not,” he says and shrugs as he finishes his burger.
“What time do you think you’ll be done tonight?” I ask, wishing I could fast-forward time so we can be together.
“Probably around ten. I’ve been keeping you up late each night, and I feel bad. Maybe you should get some rest, and we can have breakfast in the morning?”
I pout, but he’s absolutely right. I am tired. “Will you have me for breakfast instead?”
His eyebrow pops up. “Absolutely, sweetheart. I’d love to spend time with you all weekend. We should do something.”
