Chapter Six #2
“You gotta come inside and check the place out. It might shock you compared to the last time you saw it. It took Dad and me an entire summer to renovate and add a kitchen. One reason I’m not looking forward to leaving. Too many memories.”
I don’t know why I mentioned that last part.
He hands over my keys, and I unlock the door. Thankfully, I cleaned up a couple of days ago, so there are no bras or leggings thrown around.
Tyler walks in with a smile that nearly touches his eyes. He glances around with his arms crossed over his broad chest.
“Wow, you did an amazing job, Gemma. This is…perfect. Cozy. And so you.”
He studies my mother’s paintings on the walls, walks into my quaint kitchen, and runs his fingertip across the marble island that my dad built.
As I watch him take it all in, my sticky clothes start to irritate me. I remove my dress and let out a sigh of relief. Next, I pull my hair up into a high bun, then grab a bottle of water from the fridge.
The realization that he doesn’t have a car hits me.
“Wait, how’re you getting home?”
“Walking,” he says from behind me.
My eyes widen as I turn around. “In the dark? That’s way too far.”
A laugh escapes him, and it’s something I didn’t realize I missed until it echoes against the walls. “I lived in Vegas, Gemma. I’m not scared of walking at night here. Aside from the stray cats and crickets, the only terrifying thing in this town is how fast the gossip mills run.”
I snort at the truth in his words as I go to the living room and plop down on the sofa. “You could always stay.” I pat the throw pillow with an old Mustang on it. A gift my dad got me one Christmas.
“Where? The couch?” He arches a brow at how small it is, which causes me to laugh. His long legs would probably hang over the edge.
I’m transported back in time, remembering what it felt like to be wrapped up in his arms and how it made me feel so tiny.
“Yeah, why not? It’s pretty damn comfy.”
The room spins, and I blink hard until it stops.
When I look up, he’s staring down at the ring on my finger. The light makes it sparkle and brings unnecessary attention to it. A lump forms in my throat, and the urge to change the subject hits me hard.
“Damn. Where are my manners?” I stand and go back to the kitchen. “Want something to drink? I have bottled water, Diet Coke, sweet tea…”
He shakes his head, then looks me up and down. “Might want to put on some clothes?”
My body’s on fire with embarrassment when I realize I’m only in my bra and panties.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
“Shit. I’m sorry, hold on…” Blushing, I hurry to my bedroom.
I wasn’t thinking straight, and the alcohol flowing through my veins didn’t help.
When I return in shorts and a T-shirt, he’s standing against the island.
“Better?” I chuckle to ease the tension, then step in front of him. “Please don’t walk home.”
The thought of him being out this late has me concerned. I’m not worried about him getting mugged, but too many stupid people are driving around this time of night, and that scares me.
Tyler takes me by surprise when he gently places his hands on my shoulders. It’s the first time he’s touched me, causing an internal freak-out of emotions. His hands are warm against my skin, and the scent of his cologne is more prevalent this close to him.
“Gemma, don’t worry about me. I’ve dealt with plenty of shady people throughout the years. I promise I’ll be careful.”
I lick my lips and stare at his features—something I never thought I’d see again. “Earlier, you said I’d changed. But one thing that hasn’t is how much I worry about you.”
I meet his eyes and feel as if I’m floating as our gaze locks. The electricity streaming between us nearly has me losing my breath.
“Don’t,” he says, then grabs a piece of my hair and tucks it behind my ear. My entire body shivers as his finger brushes across my cheek. “But you should drink more water and sleep off your impending hangover.” He smirks and places his soft lips on my forehead, then backs away.
I notice the space he’s created between us, and I’m confused by the sudden loss.
What the hell am I doing?
“Okay,” I agree, though I really want him to stay and talk to me until the sun comes up like old times.
There’s so much about his life I don’t know, and instead of asking Everleigh, I want him to tell me everything I missed.
However, I doubt he ever will. He’s more private than I remember and has built a wall so high I’ll never be able to scale it.
At times, his movements are almost robotic, as if he’s forgotten how to let anyone in.
“Do you want me to tell you when I get home?” he asks, rubbing a hand over his trimmed jawline.
“Yes, please,” I blurt. “Do you need my number?”
One side of Tyler’s mouth tilts up as he grabs his phone from his back pocket. He hands it over to me, and I program my name before giving it back.
“I’ll text you when I’m safe and sound.”
He winks, and those stupid butterflies reappear.
“Good night, Gemma.”
The hoarse way he says my name nearly makes my panties combust.
He looks like there’s something more he wants to say, but he stays silent for a second before moving toward the door.
I follow him outside, and the glow of the porch light illuminates his face as he lifts his hand and waves.
“Be careful,” I say one last time before he’s out of sight.
I’m embarrassed for even asking him to stay the night. Instead of inviting him in, I should’ve thanked him at the door and gone to bed with my dignity intact.
Once I’m back inside the cottage, I go into the bathroom and wash off my makeup. I lie in bed and replay every look we exchanged with guilt streaming through me as I think about how unfair that was to Robert. But I had real concern for him walking this late.
I don’t know why his being back is affecting me so much after all this time, but I can’t stop wondering where we’d be if he’d stayed. Probably married with a few kids and those what-ifs are what caused so many of my sleepless nights. Finally, my phone dings with a text from Tyler.
Tyler
Made it in one piece
Then he attached a selfie of him and Sassy looking adorable, and my mind spins out of control all over again. But knowing he made it safely allows me to drift off without worry.