Chapter Twelve
GEMMA
I wake up Saturday morning, relieved to be off work and not have to face Tyler—or rather, find ways to avoid him—but then I remember our “double date” is tonight, and I’m annoyed all over again.
I hated putting Katie on the spot, but surprisingly, she didn’t mind.
Plus, she expected it after she ran into my dad in town.
I told her about my conflicted feelings when he returned and explained there was no closure when things fell apart.
However, she asked me if it was okay to go on a date with Tyler or if it’d be too weird for me.
I played it off like it was no big deal—though I already know it’s going to be awkward as hell—so now the four of us will be meeting for drinks tonight.
Once I’m out of bed and showered, Daddy and I walk to Main Street for the farmers’ market.
It’s held every Saturday during the summer and is one of my favorite things to do on the weekends with my dad when I’m not staying with Robert.
All the shops open their doors and put extra tables outside for easy shopping.
Everleigh always does a sale, which is when I usually grab a couple of extra things.
“What a beautiful day,” Dad says as we cross the intersection. “I wish you and Robert were getting married this month. The weather is beautiful.”
“It’s humid and miserable.”
“Nah. It’s perfect.”
I smile at his eagerness. He can’t wait to walk me down the aisle, wear a tux, and give his father-of-the-bride speech.
Being his only daughter, I thought he’d be sad to give me away, but considering I’m thirty years old, he’s probably thinking it’s about damn time.
Dad’s mentioned more than once that he can’t wait for grandkids, and though I want to be a mom someday, I’m not ready yet. I don’t feel prepared for any of this.
“I’m gonna go say hi to Everleigh,” I tell him as he stops to buy a few vegetables.
“Oh, I’ll come with you.”
I wait until he’s done, and then we walk to the boutique together.
My breath hitches when I see Tyler inside talking to Katie, smiling wide.
Owen’s there too, totally intrigued by Tyler.
I stare at the three of them and suddenly see what my father noticed.
They could be a cute little family. Tyler seems great with kids, and Owen would love having a man in his life that he could eventually call dad.
“Gemma!” Everleigh squeals, rushing around the counter and pulling me in for a hug.
“Hey! Just stopped in to check on you. Looks like you already have company, though.”
“Yeah, Katie and Owen were saying hi when Tyler came in to bring me something I forgot at the house.” She waggles her brows and grins wide. She definitely planned this run-in.
“Oh, gotcha. Well, Dad and I were doing some shopping.”
“Tyler!” My dad steps over toward him and slaps him on the back. “You kids excited for tonight?”
He’s reminded me every day since Tuesday to plan the double date, so yesterday, I finally did it just to get him off my back. But seeing Tyler and Katie together is making me regret it. When the two of them smile at each other, my temperature rises, and I just want to disappear.
I love Katie and want her to be happy—she deserves it after the hell she’s been through—but Tyler and I have a history. If I told Katie it made me feel uneasy, she’d back away and understand, especially since she knows all about our past. But I don’t want to be that person.
I’ll never be the type of woman who can’t have a guy but doesn’t want anyone else to have him either. It’s not fair to either of them since I’m marrying Robert.
“Yeah, definitely! Owen’s gonna have a sleepover at my parents’ tonight, so I’ll have the whole evening,” Katie says happily.
I lock my arms behind my back and try to act normal. By the tone of her voice, she’s implying she’ll have time after the date to be with Tyler. My racing heart tells me I’m losing control of my emotions.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I cannot be jealous. I’m engaged, planning a wedding, and moving out. Robert and I are in love, and we’re going to have a happy life together. A blast from the past won’t change that.
It can’t. Or at least that’s what I’m trying to convince myself.
“Where are y’all goin’ tonight?” Daddy asks.
“The pub,” I tell him. “For some drinks and pool.”
“The pub?” My dad scrunches up his face. “For a date?”
“Daddy, it’s a relaxed get-to-know-you kinda thing. Nothing serious.”
“We’ll save the wining and dining for our first official date,” Tyler chimes in, flicking his eyes to mine with a devilish look.
He knows exactly what he’s doing, trying to get a reaction from me in front of everyone.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve noticed he enjoys making me squirm, and I don’t know if it’s because he enjoys the chase.
“Ah, that’s my boy.” My dad chuckles.
“Where’s Robert?” Tyler asks smugly.
I glare. “He’s working.”
“Must suck that he works so much.” The corner of his lips perks up. “You sure he’ll make it tonight?”
“Yes. He’ll be there.”
“Great. Looking forward to it.” Tyler smirks, then turns to Katie. “I have to run, but I’ll see you later.”
“Yep, can’t wait.” She beams.
Tyler waves to everyone as he walks toward the open door, and when I glance over my shoulder at him, he flashes me a wink, then chuckles.
Asshole.
“Hey.” Katie pulls me aside. “Everything okay?”
I tilt my head and furrow my brows. “Yeah, why?”
“You seem off. I just want to make sure this date won’t be too much or awkward with Robert and Tyler together.”
Too much is the understatement of the century.
“It’ll be totally fine. You two will be chatting mostly anyway, and Robert and I will shoot pool or play darts to give y’all some privacy.” I smile wide, hoping to convince her, though I genuinely want her to have a good time.
“Okay, because it’s not too late to cancel if you’ve changed your mind. I just thought with your history and everything—”
“Katie.” I suck in a breath. “I’m engaged to Robert. Tyler and I dated years ago for three months. It’s ancient history at this point.”
“Alright, as long as you’re not uncomfortable because I could see myself liking him after we get to know each other a little better.”
My jaw nearly snaps off as my heart pounds rapidly in my chest. “Really?”
“Well, based on what I’ve seen or know about him. I wouldn’t normally introduce a man to Owen so soon, but the moment Tyler started talking about football, Owen lit up.”
“Then I hope it works out, Katie. Honestly. Tyler’s a nice guy.”
The moment Robert and I walk into the pub, I immediately need a drink. Tyler and Katie are already in a booth with theirs. We’re only a few minutes late, but it looks like they’ve been here a while.
“Hey,” I greet when we walk up.
“Hey!” Katie stands and wraps her arms around me. “We were just talking about you.”
“Hopefully all good,” I tease, unable to look at Tyler.
“Of course. It’s always good,” Tyler says, and when I glance at him, I instantly regret it. His brown eyes are warm and inviting, and I hate that they send chills down my body.
“Pinot Noir, darlin’?” Robert grasps my shoulders and squeezes lightly.
Though Tyler isn’t watching us, I see him tighten his grip on the neck of his beer and grin at the wine Robert suggested. Wine won’t get me drunk enough to get through this night, getting sick tomorrow be damned.
“No, I’d like a Jack and Coke and four shots of vodka to get this night started!”
Robert tilts his head, and I smile. “It’s been a long week.”
“Of course, sweetheart. Be right back.” He presses a kiss to my cheek before walking off.
“Here, I’ll sit next to Tyler so you and Robert can sit together.”
Katie moves and scoots close to him. He rests his arm on the back of the booth, and she happily notices.
Those drinks need to get here stat.
Katie and Tyler continue chatting while I wait for Robert to return. They talk about high school and his time in the military. It’s not hard to eavesdrop, but as soon as Robert sits down next to me with our drinks, they stop.
“Shots!” I say, passing around the vodka.
The four of us take them, and I slam my glass on the table before grabbing my Jack and Coke.
“Whoa.” Katie chuckles. “Save room for the margaritas.”
“Oh, you know I will.” I wink.
After a while, Robert and I excuse ourselves to play a round of pool. When we first started dating, he taught me all the rules and always kicks my ass.
Tonight, I don’t care about winning. I just want to let loose.
“You’re actually getting better,” he teases.
“Or maybe you’re getting worse?”
“I highly doubt that.” He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into his chest.
“You could be a gentleman and let me win once in a while.” I smile, the alcohol coursing through my veins, and cup his face. Our lips crash together roughly, but before things get too heated, he puts space between us.
“Gemma, we’re in public in a bar,” he hisses and releases me, then walks around the pool table to call his shot.
He doesn’t like PDA because it’s not ‘professional,’ but why can’t he relax for just one night? I’m his fiancée, not some random chick.
Needing a refill, I head to the bar and order two strawberry margaritas, then bring one back to Katie, who’s laughing at something Tyler said. She thanks me, then I return to Robert and grab my pool stick.
Fuck it. I’m bored and don’t care about this game and purposely sink his ball into the pocket. “Whoopsies.” I shrug, then take down a quarter of my drink, wanting it to take hold quicker.
“Good thing you excel at other things,” Robert says, then takes his turn until he clears the table. His tone isn’t harsh but rather condescending.
Robert continues drinking Grey Goose and Perrier as I sip my margarita. Once our game is over, we go back to the booth and catch up with Katie and Tyler.
“We were just gonna play a round of darts,” Katie tells me as she stands. “Should we play teams?”
I bite down on my lower lip and hesitate before Robert answers. “I’m in. But darlin’, maybe you should sit this one out?”