Chapter 13
Nina
Iwas about to run from Austin and his overwhelming presence when Dirk came in and called me babe like we hadn’t broken up. Like he hadn’t dumped me.
But he had, and I was tired of being at his beck and call.
When Dirk dumped me this last time, it’d felt different, and I hadn’t expected him to come back. I’m lucky Austin was here. He saved me from having to deal with Dirk on my own.
No matter what I told myself, I probably would’ve given in and taken him back rather than risk upsetting him.
The way Austin handled Dirk—calm, cool, collected—was more than impressive.
That’s the kind of guy I need. Someone caring and protective, like his uncle and his cousins, not someone who breaks up with me whenever he wants to be single for a party or a long weekend.
At least he didn’t cheat on me. Some consolation prize. I only took him back because, unlike both sets of parents, he came back after leaving me.
Only he didn’t love me.
It shouldn’t have taken me so long to send him packing, but having a part-time boyfriend had worked for me and my schedule. We went on the occasional date and scratched the occasional itch.
Maybe I would’ve given in again, but seeing Dirk next to Austin was an eye opener.
Austin was one hundred percent alpha male. He didn’t show off or raise his voice. He didn’t demand attention or respect.
He didn’t have to. He commands it simply by existing.
Suddenly, all Dirk’s flaws glowed like neon signs I’d conveniently worn sunglasses to dull. I never thought he was a great catch or a forever guy, but I ignored the red flags staring me in the face.
Thankfully, Austin chased him off, so not only did I not have to find the courage to tell him I wasn’t interested, but I didn’t think I’d ever see him again.
“Are you okay?” Beth asked as I walked around the counter.
“Yeah, I think so.”
I was still shocked that Austin told Dirk we had a date tonight. We didn’t. Austin made that clear before I returned to work.
Did I sound disappointed? Maybe. But it wasn’t every day I had a silver fox hit on me.
In fact, it had never happened.
Technically, he didn’t hit on me; he just lied about it.
“When Mary comes in, you can ask her to ban Dirk,” Beth offered.
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it or make anyone mad at me.
When I looked at Beth, I noticed her watching Austin, who was waiting for Mary.
Austin rested against the back of the booth, staring at his phone.
Only his screen was blank.
Is he listening to us?
No way was our conversation worth eavesdropping on.
“Well, if you change your mind, let Mary know.”
I nodded, knowing I’d never ask Mary to do that. “I doubt he’ll come back.”
While we prepped for the afternoon, Beth entertained me with stories about Chase and his playground girlfriends.
To be eight again.
“I can’t even imagine what it’ll be like when he’s a teenager,” Beth sighed. “Thank God Doug will be there to help.”
Mary covered her surprise at seeing Austin quickly, but not quickly enough.
Beth and I shamelessly watched the interaction.
“Austin!” Mary hugged him. “To what do I owe this honor?”
“I felt bad for being an ass to Nina, so I came to apologize.”
“That’s nice. Did she accept?” Mary asked, looking at me.
I nodded as he said, “Thankfully, yes. Can I talk to you for a second outside?”
She agreed, which killed our ability to hear them.
Outside, Austin did most of the talking. Mary nodded a lot, and at one point turned to look at me. Or maybe Beth. But probably me because of what had happened between Austin and Dirk.
Austin lifted his hand in a half wave-half salute through the window after hugging Mary goodbye.
Mary didn’t mince words when she came back in.
“I’m banning Dirk. Any objections?”
Beth smiled.
I tugged on the dangling cherry earring in my left ear.