by Kennedy Fox
“Whiskey is your kryptonite. But I kinda like that about you, Gemma. You weren’t so uptight.”
“I’m not uptight, Tyler.”
The way she says my name has me swallowing hard. She’s trying so hard to convince me, but it’s not gonna work.
I grin. “No?” I tuck my hands in my pockets and shrug. “Okay, well maybe we both are. You more than me, though,” I tease.
She glares at me, and I laugh. Gemma grabs a book from the desk, then changes the subject. She sits and flips it open.
“This is the schedule book where we write the appointments. It’s old-school, but Dad prefers not to have to get on the computer for anything, so I save it electronically but also write it in here. If you ever wonder what’s planned for the week, it’s in here.” She taps her finger on the pages. Her handwriting is as meticulous as I remember it.
I lean over and look at the calendar. She tilts her head, aware of how close I am. Though I pretend I don’t notice how her breasts rise and fall with each of her breaths, I do.
“Awesome, seems straightforward,” I say, and my breath brushes against her skin. Goose bumps form on her arms, and I take a step back, needing space. Those old emotions threaten to come to the surface, but I force them away.
“Great.” She stands and walks out of the office. Before following her, I regain my composure, then meet her back in the waiting room. Only three chairs sit against the wall in front of the counter that’s big enough to hold a computer, keyboard, and for a person to write a check. Yes, a check, because they’re so damn old-fashioned here. Mimi still refuses to get a debit card.
“That’s pretty much all I have for you, and there’s still a few hours before lunch.” She doesn’t look up at me as she types.
“What do I do then? Your dad isn’t meeting with me until after lunch.”
“Not sure. Wash the windows? Sweep the floor? Clean the bathroom?”
Though she’s messing with me, the windows are filthy. Instead of sitting around, I decide to make myself useful.
“Alright, where are the cleaning supplies?”
“I wasn’t serious.”
“Yeah, but look at them. I can take care of it and anything else you need, then meet your dad after lunch.”
For the first time since the office, she meets my eyes again. Her gaze nearly paralyzes me in place, and I wonder if she feels it too.
“Under the sink in the break room. Extra rags are in the supply closet.”
I nod and get to work. I find a bucket, soap, and spare towels. After filling it with scalding water, I grab my supplies and go outside. I’m drenched with sweat after washing one window from top to bottom. It’s the distraction I need, and I lose myself in these damn windows.
I try not to let my thoughts wander too much, and each time Gemma pops into my head, I glance at her. After all this time, it’s hard to believe she’s only feet away. I notice her mannerisms are still the same. When she’s concentrating hard, she bites her bottom lip and tilts her head. I used to find it so adorable when I’d tell her about the military because she just didn’t fully understand it. She used to be a crossword junkie and still taps her pen against the paper when she’s lost in thought. It takes me over two hours to clean the glass, and it’s so clean when I look inside that I can see Gemma staring at me.
When I catch her, she glances away.
Boundaries, I remind myself. She’s fucking engaged to a man who can give her everything she’s ever wanted. What do I have to offer other than a fucked-up past and a pile of baggage?
I tackle the restroom next and don’t leave until it fucking sparkles. Anything to take me away from being in the lobby right now. When it’s lunchtime, I put away the supplies, then let Gemma know I’m going on my break. She tells me I have an hour, which is plenty of time to rinse off the sweat at home and change clothes. I’ll have to hurry so I have time to grab something to eat before I have to return.
After I quickly clean up, I stop by the pub and grab a cheeseburger since it’s on the way to the garage. After I scarf down my food in four big bites, I rush back. When I walk in, Gemma ignores my existence like I’m an annoying mosquito. Avoiding me is for the best, or at least that’s what I tell myself so we don’t get too friendly. It won’t give those old feelings the opportunity to return. Her future path is set, and I’ll be damned if I ruin that or give her fiancé any reason to be jealous, so staying away is for the best.
Going out to the shop, I find Jerry happily sipping on a milkshake. There’s an old malt shop on the corner of Main where all the older people like to visit. I totally forgot about that place until just now.
“Ready to get started?” he asks.
I nod. “Sure am.”
He takes me over to the lift where a car is already in the air. “This one needs an oil change and tire rotation.” He peeks his head out the door where the small side parking lot is full. “And so do those six. I’ll be workin’ on these Jeep engines for the rest of the week, so if you can take care of all the service items, that’d help me out a ton.”
“No problem. Sounds easy enough,” I answer confidently.
“Good, but if you have any issues or questions, just ask.”
“Will do.” Though it’s bitch work, I don’t mind. I’m happy to do it. As I grab the tools and filters I’ll need, Jerry calls my name.
“Yeah?” I spin around and face him.
“Good job with the windows. I can actually see my reflection in them now,” he tells me with a belly laugh.
“Thank you, sir.” I smile, then continue.
For the rest of the day, I spend my time carefully changing out oil filters and tightening and loosening bolts and lug nuts. When I finish each car and truck, I give Gemma the keys after I’ve parked them out front for pick up. Reid’s Garage is the only place in town that services vehicles and has been for twenty years. People refuse to drive over and support the chain stores. It’s another reason Everleigh’s boutique has done so well. The citizens shop local as much as possible.
By closing time, I’m exhausted. My arms are sore from moving heavy tires around, and my clothes are drenched with sweat and grease. While there’s a big box fan and all the doors were open, the humidity is still torturous.
I go inside after finishing the oil change on the last car for the day, walk past Gemma at the counter, and grab some water from the dispenser. Just as Gemma goes to lock the door, an older clean-cut man walks in carrying an oversized bouquet of pink and white roses.
Instantly, I know exactly who he is.
The way he carries himself tells me he thinks he’s hot shit. It’s almost comical how smug he looks, but I keep my opinions to myself. I would’ve never pictured Gemma with someone like him, and I’m curious what she actually sees in him.
I shouldn’t watch them, but I can’t help it. I notice the surprised look on Gemma’s face as he hands her the flowers, and she sheepishly grins with a quiet, “Thank you.” Mr. Egomaniac places his arm around her and pulls her in for a kiss. While she returns the affection, her shoulders squeeze together before she pulls away. It’s so obvious he’s trying to show off for whatever reason. Instead of witnessing their public display of affection, I turn my back to them and drink my water.
“What’s the special occasion?” Gemma asks.
“I’m taking you to a fancy lobster dinner at Cajun Seafood tonight.”
“Really?” Her voice goes up a notch.
“I’m meeting a client and would love to introduce him to my future wife,” he explains. And there it is...butter her up with flowers and the mention of a nice dinner just to look good in front of other uptight men.
When I turn to walk to the break room, I notice the grin on her face falters, but she puts it back on, forcing it. God, he’s a moron. And this act, fuck. It’s disgusting.
She’s smart enough to see it, but then again, maybe she’s not the same girl I fell in love with all those years ago. He’s using her to show how much of a fami
ly man he is while also putting her on display like she’s some kind of trophy. I finish my water, and Jerry comes in with a wide smile.
“You did well today and were an enormous help,” Jerry says. “I think we might get caught up before the end of next week. Thanks for workin’ so hard.”
“Well, thank you again for the opportunity. I appreciate it more than I can explain.”
After we exchange our goodbyes, I decide to leave. There’s no way I’m sticking around to watch the Gemma and fiancé shitshow. Before I can walk past the counter, her man stops me, sizing me up.
“Who’s this?” he asks Gemma, but he’s giving me a threatening glare.
“I’m Tyler,” I answer for her, reaching out to shake his hand. He gives me a million-dollar smile that’s fake as fuck and squeezes my hand as hard as he can. It’s a warning, and I give him the same pressure.
“He’s my dad’s new employee,” Gemma tells him. “So he doesn’t get behind over the summer.”
“I’m Robert, Gemma’s future husband.”
I swallow down a laugh at how obnoxious he is. “Congrats. Well, I gotta go. Nice meeting you,” I say dryly and get the fuck out of there.
My adrenaline spikes as I walk outside past the clean windows and notice he’s talking to Gemma with his arms raised. Intimidation isn’t a good look for him, especially since he seems like the type of guy who doesn’t take no for an answer.
Instead of going home, I stop by Everleigh’s boutique. The front door is locked, so I tap lightly, and when she sees me, she rushes to let me in.
“Hey!” She gives me a side hug before re-locking the door. “How was your first day?”
I laugh with a shrug. “It was work. Got filthy and hustled.”
Everleigh walks around and straightens up racks and refolds shirts that have been picked up and crumpled by customers. I admire what she’s been able to accomplish with her store. It’s cozy and hip, a place she would’ve killed someone to walk through when she was a teen. She offers a number of appealing items—T-shirts, jewelry, dresses, jeans, and even novelty items like coffee mugs and tumblers. All with witty sayings that reflect her personality.
“Was Gemma weird today?" she blurts out. “I mean, with you being there, did she seem like it bothered her?”
“Nah. Not until her future husband walked in,” I repeat it the same way Robert had.
Everleigh lets out a hearty laugh. “He tries too hard sometimes.”
“No shit.” I roll my eyes.
“He means well, but he’s very concerned about his reputation.”
“I noticed.” Compared to most townspeople, he sticks out like a sore thumb in his expensive suit and George Clooney haircut.
“He’s not Gemma’s type at all. I mean, he’s a good-looking guy, but he’s too old for her.”
That makes me snort because I thought the same thing. “How old is he anyway?”
“Like forty-five or something. Gemma told me he uses Touch of Gray hair dye.” She chuckles. “But you didn’t hear that from me.” She puts a finger over her lips.
“Seriously?” I’d laugh if I didn’t have so many questions, but I also don’t bother asking. Based on the little information Everleigh told me, the feeling I had when he first walked into the shop was valid.
I’m already convinced she’s not as in love with him as she claims. She’s settling.
But the real question is why?
Chapter Eight
GEMMA
I understand how important it is to Robert that I join him at his business dinner, but I hate that it’s not just the two of us. Though I smiled through our whole conversation, Tyler looked as if he could see straight through me. After working all day, the last thing I want to do is entertain strangers, but I go anyway.
When we walk in, I expect us to be meeting one or two people, but it’s an entire table filled with men in suits. This annoys me more than anything, but I keep the smile planted. Something I became really good at after my mom passed away. As long as I pretended I was happy, no one asked questions, not even Noah or my dad. While this is a different situation, it still oddly feels just as fake.
We have a nice lobster dinner and fluffy rolls with honey butter just as Robert promised. Several people ask how we met and about the wedding, and I feel like a giant spotlight is on me with every question. Considering I’m an introvert, this makes me anxious.
Once dinner is over, they shake hands over their done deals. We say our goodbyes, and I’m nearly gasping for air when I walk outside. Robert smiles proudly.
“Another done deal all because of you, baby,” he says with a pep in his step. I know this was a big one, an entire subdivision for development.
I shrug uncomfortably. “I can’t take the credit for it. That was all you.”
He pulls me close, and I smell the faint hint of his cologne.
“So, you gonna tell me about this Tyler guy?”
When his name leaves Robert’s mouth, my heart rate increases. There’s a hint of something else in his tone, almost as if he’s trying to appear casual but definitely isn’t. The threatening way he looked at Tyler earlier wasn’t lost on me, either.
We get in his truck, and he drives me back to the shop where my car is parked. “He’s Everleigh’s brother and just moved back to town.”
“Yeah? So you two know each other?” he asks, but I don’t want to discuss this.
“Yeah, he’s only four years older, plus it’s a small town.” I shrug, annoyed that he’s making me feel like I’m under his microscope.
“Ahh. That makes sense now. Did you two ever…?”
“Robert.” I stop the conversation before it even starts. Though I don’t want to be a liar about my past, the minute he finds out Tyler and I dated, he’ll lose his shit. It was a decade ago and shouldn’t matter, but Robert’s a little possessive when it comes to what’s his. There doesn’t need to be any more tension between us than there already is. “We’re not friends. My dad offered him a job because Tyler was just released from prison and needed something to get back on his feet. He’s on a trial run right now to see how it goes.”
Thankfully, he pulls up to my car and parks, and I desperately want to jump out of the SUV. I’m so damn annoyed, not necessarily by what he asked, but how he asked. I already know he thinks he’s better than Tyler because of his past, and I hate how judgmental Robert can be, so the less he knows about him, the better.
“Trust me, I was more than surprised when he walked into the shop and my dad hired him, but he’s a good worker, and it’s what my father needs.”
Robert turns to me. “I’m not trying to interrogate you, darling. I just want to be aware of who you’re spending your days with and make sure you’re safe. You’re the love of my life, and I’d never get over it if something happened to you.”
“I appreciate that, babe. But I’m working at the garage, not having a bachelorette party with strippers all day.”
He leans forward and gently kisses me, his lips tasting like wine. “I know that.”
“Maybe we can have a date night tomorrow? Just the two of us?” I suggest, hoping it’ll ease him about our relationship.
“Not sure. Tomorrow’s gonna be busy for me, but I’ll double-check my schedule and let you know as soon as I can.”
I give him a smile, though I’m nearly fuming inside. “Okay then.” Reaching for the door handle, I add, “Good night.”
“Love you,” he says before I step out.
“Love you too.”
He waits until I’m inside my car and it’s cranked before he pulls away.
I’m so damn annoyed while I drive home that by the time I walk into my door, I’m raging pissed. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this irritated with Robert. Sure, his constant parading of me in front of his clients has gotten old, but I’m used to that by now. However, asking me about Tyler as if there was something between us was uncalled for. He acted like Tyler getting hired was some ploy so we could ha
ng out all day.
I go straight to the bathroom and start the water, but before I can get undressed, I get a call from Everleigh.
“Hey, whatcha doing right now?” she asks as I turn off the faucet.
It’s barely eight, but I’m exhausted and have to be up early for work tomorrow. “I was getting ready to soak in the tub.”
“Okay, what are you doing after that?”
I can already tell she’s up to something.
“Going to bed.”
“Instead of taking a bath, you should come over. I asked Katie, but she just put Owen to bed. I need help choosing which pictures of you two to post because I’m second-guessing which ones will get the most attention. I really love them all, but I need another perspective. There are too many to email to you, so would you mind coming over and helping me pick? Pretty please?” she begs.
Groaning, I look at the bubble bath and wait for her to tell me she’s joking. “You’re serious?”
“As serious as a heatstroke. I need your expert opinion! I want to get some of them posted tomorrow and start moving this new inventory. Plus, you always choose the best ones.”
I chuckle at the way she always wears me down with her compliments. However, being around her would help clear my mind and distract me from my own thoughts. “Fine, but you better have a glass of wine waiting for me when I get there.”
“Yay!” she squeals. “Red or white?”
“Surprise me,” I say. I tell her I’ll be right over, and we say our goodbyes. I throw my hair into a high ponytail, change into yoga pants and a tank top, then drive over.
When I show up, Everleigh swings the door open, holding a glass of wine. I snort as she hands it to me before my feet even cross the entrance.
“You’re gonna make some guy super happy one day if this is the kind of treatment you provide,” I say, then take a sip. “Oh, wow. The good stuff. You’re really trying to butter me up.”
I follow her into the living room, and she furrows her brows when she looks at me. “You okay?”