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“What? No.” I rub at my forehead, debating how to word this. “She’s been helping me look into college stuff. She’s like the smartest person I know and she says I can do it. I’d already decided to take a class in business this summer at the community college and… I don’t know. If you’re willing to wait, maybe I could take some more courses and in the meantime shadow you and learn the ropes about what you do.”
He studies me, rubbing a hand over his jaw. At least he isn’t laughing in my face. “Your dad know about the college class?” he finally asks.
I shake my head. “I wasn’t going to say anything yet. Not until it’s a done deal.” Our conversation earlier was enough of a revelation for him.
His lips tip up at the corners. “Smart plan. It all sounds like a smart plan, actually.” He rubs at the back of his neck. “You know I never had kids. And even though you’re my nephew, I always thought of you as a little more than that, especially after your mom…” He clears his throat brusquely. “It would mean the world to me to pass this place on to you one day if you wanted. But you couldn’t be here and go pro. I wouldn’t want you to give up your dream.”
I swallow heavily. Damn, I wasn’t expecting all this coming here tonight. I was only planning on blowing off some steam. “It was Dad’s dream. Not mine.” Might as well let the cat out of the bag now.
His brows raise. “Really?”
I shrug. “You know how he is.”
He nods. “Fair enough. Well, we’ll see how the weekend goes and if you like it, then I’ll get you settled in Steve’s role in a week or so. And then we can talk about learning the backside of the business and eventually taking on more responsibility.”
We discuss a few more logistics, like job duties, salary, and benefits, and I shake his hand before I leave, impatience already bubbling within me.
I step outside and pull out my phone, halfway ready to text Tessa and tell her the good news before remembering the state of things between us. Even with our conversation at the Stress Lab earlier, it doesn’t seem fully resolved.
You know what? Fuck it. If she doesn’t want it to be weird, it won’t be. I’ve gotten good at pretending around her.
Me:Just got myself a job as a trainer at my uncle’s boxing gym. I’m going to take those business classes at the community college and work my way up to general manager one day.
I put my phone away, sure I won’t hear from her for a while since she’s hanging out with Mia, but it vibrates in my pocket before I can even step back inside.
Tessa:OMG congratulations! We have to celebrate tonight.
There are a bunch of emojis following her sentence. Happy face, confetti… a pink heart. My gaze sticks on it before I shake my head and turn off the screen. I’ve turned into a sap when it comes to her.
See, things are normal between us now. I share good news with her and she’s happy for me. That’s the way it should be. We can move past any awkwardness. It doesn’t have to ruin our friendship.
Even if I wish she wanted more.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
TESSA
Knocking on Austin’s door,I’m careful to balance the container of cupcakes in my hand. It’d be just my luck to drop it before I get inside.
As he opens the door, his gaze immediately zeroes in on the dessert.
“Congratulations!” I thrust the sweets at him, glad I have a ready-made excuse to talk about anything other than the elephant in the room. We never finished our conversation earlier.
He gives a defeated sigh and takes them from me, a smile lurking over his lips. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, this is a big deal. A whole career change with a chance to move up. It’s exciting.”
His mouth quirks up on one side. “Thanks.” He moves to hug me, surprising me a bit after everything that’s recently happened. I don’t think he’s ever initiated a hug that wasn’t a direct result of me freaking out or crying.
Wow, what does that say about me?
I happily step into his arms, getting caught up for a moment in how good he smells. There’s something about his embrace that just feels… right.
His arm had been around me yesterday morning too, keeping me safe and secure against him as we’d slept. And then again as we’d…
But there’d been nothing of that when I’d gone to bed last night. He’d already been asleep, turned away from me.
“You want to break into these now?” he asks, releasing me.
