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 usual, but I keep the smile planted.
Something I got really good at after my mom passed away.
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. Every question feels like a giant spotlight on me. I’m an introvert, so it 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.
This was a big one. An entire subdivision for development.
“I can’t take the credit for it.” I shrug uncomfortably. “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 pulse races. 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.
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.”
“So, you two know each other?”
“Yeah, he’s my best friend’s brother and only four years older. Plus, it’s a small town. Everyone knows everyone.”
“Did you two ever—”
“Robert.” I stop the question before he can ask.
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 me.
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 he 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.
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 can already tell 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.”
“I’m not trying to interrogate you, darlin’. 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 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 smile, even 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 annoyed while I drive home, but by the time I walk through my front 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 hang 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’re you doing after that?”
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 love them all, but I need another perspective.
There are too many to email, so would you mind coming over and helping me pick? Pretty please?”
Groaning, I look at the bubble bath and wait for her to tell me she’s joking.
“You’re serious?”
“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 tell her I’ll be right over, then throw my hair into a high ponytail, change into yoga pants and a tank top, and drive over.
When I arrive, 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 take a sip. “Oh, wow. The good stuff. You’re really trying to butter me up.”
I follow her into the living room.
She looks at me curiously when she plops down on the couch. “You okay?”
Waving her off, I sit next to her. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Okay, you better.” Everleigh goes to the kitchen, then returns a couple minutes later with a huge bowl of fresh popcorn drizzled with butter.
Once we’re both settled and comfortable on the sofa, Everleigh scrolls through the photos.
“Oh my God, you took two thousand pictures?”
She stuffs her face and nods. “This is why I couldn’t decide!”
Shaking my head, I watch as she goes through them. “They’re all so good. If the boutique doesn’t work out, you should be a photographer.”
“Are you flirtin’ with me already?”
“You wish.” I laugh. “Oh, I love this one of Katie where she’s looking off in the distance.”
Everleigh scooches closer. “Yes, me too. She looks gorgeous. Every woman in a hundred-mile radius is gonna want this outfit. And you in that red skirt, you sexy little firecracker.”
“That’s a good one,” a deep voice says from behind us, and every hair on my neck stands up.
Everleigh jumps, and Tyler chuckles. She grabs a pillow and throws it at him but misses.
“I’m sad I wasn’t invited to the slumber party.” He smirks, walking toward the kitchen.
That’s when I notice he’s shirtless, his joggers hanging low on his hips.
I chug my wine, though the image of his ripped body and the way the muscles cascade down his back are now burned into my memory. Fuck.
“Well, you’re the one who didn’t want to look at two thousand pictures with me,” Everleigh counters. “You snooze, you lose.”
My mouth falls open. “So I was your third choice? I’m offended!”
She snorts. “Third time’s the charm, baby.”
Tyler returns to the living room, sipping a beer. I avoid looking at him because I don’t think I’ll be able to pick my jaw off the floor before he notices.
“Welp. I’ll leave you two to it.”
“Mm-hmm.” Everleigh continues to scroll through the pictures.
When I look up, he’s already staring at me, and I stop breathing.
Tyler blinks, breaking our contact.
I clear my throat. “Good night.”
“Night,” he says, then leaves the room, taking all the air with him. If Everleigh notices my reaction, she doesn’t say anything, and for that, I’m grateful.
“How about this one?” she asks, bringing me back to reality.
It’s one of Katie and me laughing our asses off at something Everleigh said without a doubt.
“Yes, I love that one! It’s perfect and looks so natural. The only thing it’s missing is you in there with us.”
“I have the satisfaction of knowing this picture was taken when I was talking about butt stuff.”
Cabernet nearly shoots out of my nose, but I manage to choke it back down. “Jesus, give a girl some warning.”
She giggles. “I can’t help that we’re like twelve-year-old boys when it comes to that.”
“Oh, for sure.” I point out a few more that she should definitely use. By the time we get through half of them, she has a notebook page full of image numbers. Hanging out with her was just what I needed tonight.
“So, you gonna tell me what had your panties bunched in a big old knot when you showed up or am I gonna have to beat it out of you?”
I roll my eyes and huff. I swear this glass of wine is never-ending because I need more alcohol in my system to discuss this. “Robert.”
She doesn’t react, but she listens as I explain my frustrations and insecurities. As I talk, Everleigh grabs an empty glass and the bottle, then returns to the couch. She refills mine and pours her some too.
“And I understand he wants me to be involved in his work, but you’re well aware of how I feel about a big crowd. Especially when they put me at the center of attention. I want to throw up.”
“You hate it. Always have.”
“Right! It makes me anxious, and I always have to answer the same questions over and over. It’s just, I dunno, it makes me feel weird—like I’m a prop in his business deals.”
“Like you’re playing a part.”
“Right, like an actress showing up to a movie set whose character is married to the rich and famous, living a glamorous lifestyle.”