Chapter Twenty-Nine
GEMMA
After last night’s shitstorm, I’m a ball of emotions.
I have to give Dad the news that Robert and I won’t be getting married.
Even though he’ll be disappointed, I hope he understands why.
We’ve always been close, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him, but I hate letting him down.
I don’t plan on going into detail about Robert’s pushiness or how he tried to mold me into a Stepford wife.
It will be short and to the point—we just weren’t meant to be together.
“Hey, Daddy,” I greet as soon as I walk into the kitchen. He’s drinking a cup of coffee and reading the paper at the table.
“There’s my girl.” He kisses my cheek when I lean down to hug him. “How ya doing, sweetheart?”
“I’ve been better, but I’m okay.” I move around him and go straight to the coffee maker.
“Gonna explain what’s goin’ on?” he asks with concern etched on his face. “Everything okay?”
“I’ll explain. Do you want me to make breakfast first?”
“Sure, just somethin’ light is fine, though,” he insists.
I drink my coffee while I cook western omelets, and he talks about the local news. Though I’m more occupied with how to start this conversation, so I’m barely listening.
“Gemma?”
“Hmm?”
“What’s burnin’?”
My mouth falls open as I smell smoke coming from the toaster. “Shit!” I quickly unplug it and remove the dark, crisp bread. “Whoops. I’ll make more, hold on.”
“You sure you don’t want any help?”
I turn off the stove and slide the pan from the burner before I burn that too. “No, I’ve got it. Just sit tight.”
Ten minutes later, I have our food plated and set on the table with coffee refills.
“Smells delicious, sweetie.” Dad beams as he dives into his omelet.
“Thanks. Sorry, I’m distracted.”
“I can see that. What’s goin’ on?”
Swallowing hard, I stare at my food and blow out a ragged breath. It’s now or never.
“I called off the wedding.”
Dad immediately lowers his fork and frowns. “Oh.”
I close my eyes to keep the tears from falling. I’m not crying over the loss of my relationship with Robert. It’s the disappointment on my dad’s face that makes me emotional. I tried to prepare myself for his reaction, but it didn’t do any good.
“Did you two break up last night?”
Nodding, I wipe my wet cheeks with my napkin. “I ended it earlier this week. Marrying a man I wasn’t in love with anymore didn’t feel right.” It’s the truth, just not the whole truth.
“I only want you to be happy, Gemma. I hope you know that.”
“I do, but I feel awful because you’ve been so excited to walk me down the aisle and have talked about it for months. I was scared you’d be upset with me.”
Dad reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “Of course, I like the idea of you getting married and starting a family, but it has to be with the right man. That’s all that matters to me. Maybe I got excited by the way Robert could take care of you, but I only want what’s best for you.”
“I can take care of myself, Daddy,” I assure him with a small smile.
“You sure can. C’mere.”
Pushing my chair back, I walk over to my dad and wrap my arms around him. When he hugs me tightly and kisses my forehead, relief floods through me.
“The whole town is gonna know in a matter of hours,” I whine. “I hate how they all gossip.”
“Don’t worry about them. They’ll talk about it for a couple of days, then move on to the next big thing.”
God, I hope so. I just want to put this all behind me and start over.
“I have to ask,” he mutters when I take my seat across from him. “Does your change of heart have anything to do with Tyler?”
“Dad!” I gasp, shocked he’d ask that. “I’ve already told you that we’re only friends.”
“I’ve noticed the way he looks at you, Gem. I may be old, but I’m not blind.”
That causes me to snort, and I shake my head. “My feelings for Tyler are…complicated, but regardless, marrying Robert hasn’t felt right for a long while. Way before Tyler returned.”
“If it helps, I like Tyler a lot. He’s a hard worker, and it’s obvious he wants to get his life back on track. But I didn’t appreciate the way he left you all those years ago. I could tell you were heartbroken.”
The memory of my dad trying to help me through that sad time of my life brings back bad memories. “I was, but we were only kids. He’s grown up since then. We both have. We’re friends who work together and talk. That’s it.”
I’m not sure if he buys my casual way of ending this conversation, but he doesn’t push it any further. We continue talking while we eat and finish our coffee. After we clean the kitchen and wash the dishes, Dad suggests we walk to the farmers’ market, and I agree.
We stop by the boutique that’s packed with teenagers and their moms. I notice her new inventory and fall decorations and feel so damn proud of what she’s accomplished.
“Hey!” Everleigh wraps me in her arms. “Sorry, we’re swamped.”
“I see that! No worries. It’s a good thing.”
“Hey, Jerry.” Everleigh gives him a side hug, and he kisses her cheek.
“Hey, sweetie. How’re things goin’?”
“Great!” Her eyes light up when she focuses her attention past me.
Over my shoulder, I catch a glimpse of Tyler walking in with Sassy.
My heart races as butterflies swarm my stomach.
After the protective way he got me out of the restaurant last night, my mind has been running wild.
He’s wearing dark jeans and a blue T-shirt that shows off his arms. The facial hair on his jawline is longer, and though he typically keeps it trimmed, I kinda like it this way too.
“Hi,” Tyler says to all of us when he gets closer. I sheepishly grin, embarrassed that my dad’s with me and watching our interaction. “Thought I’d take the dog for a walk and stop in to visit.”
“Yay! My girl.” Everleigh immediately drops to her knees and loves on Sassy. “Are you being good for your daddy?”
Tyler chokes and backs away, causing me to chuckle. “What? Don’t say that. It’s creepy.”
“No way! Whether you like it or not, you’re the only male figure in her life right now.”
I snort, shaking my head.
“This isn’t funny.”
Wrinkling my nose, I laugh harder. “It’s a little funny.”
He scowls, which is super adorable, considering Tyler’s all man and muscle.
“I’m your brother, so if anything, that’d make me her uncle,” he corrects Everleigh.
“Stop being dramatic. Don’t forget to give her treats when you get home,” she reminds him.
“Yeah, yeah. I know the drill.”
“Don’t fight it, son,” my dad says, patting Tyler’s shoulder. “Women bring home pets, and they become yours.”
“So I’m learning.” Tyler scoffs.
“Be thankful I never got a cat. Then again, it’s not too late,” Everleigh taunts.
“Please don’t. I need to save up more money before I can move out, so at least wait until then.”
Everleigh’s hands move to her hips, and she pouts. “Ha-ha. You’re staying with me forever.”
“I’m sure your future husband would approve of that, no problem.” Tyler rolls his eyes.
“Oh, he would. You’ll just be included in all the baggage I bring to the relationship. He already has to accept that my first loves are my job and Sassy. Next, is you—my brother who lives with me and cooks for me.”
“And there it is. The only reason you want me there.”
“I thought I was clear on that?” Everleigh teases.
As they bicker, Katie and Owen enter and make it a reunion. My dad greets them, then tells me he’ll meet me outside when I’m done.
“What’s going on?” Katie asks.
“Just siblings fighting like cats and dogs while literally arguing about cats and dogs.”
Katie bursts out laughing. “Damn, I missed all the fun.”
“Swear word!” Owen shouts, then opens his palm.
Katie groans as she digs into her purse. “He was a lot cuter before he could talk.”
Everleigh and I giggle as she hands Owen a dollar bill.
“My parents are watching him tonight. Wanna get Mexican food and drink margaritas?”
“I’d love to,” Tyler interrupts with a shit-eating smirk.
“Girls’ night, sorry,” Katie sing-songs sarcastically. “If you’re there, we won’t be able to talk about you.”
Blood rushes to my face, and my cheeks heat.
“And trust me, I hear there’s a lot to talk about,” Katie says pointedly.
I turn to Tyler, who’s shooting daggers at Everleigh, who must’ve shared what she knew. She’s so busted.
“What? Katie and I chatted this morning, and it kinda slipped out.” Everleigh gives me an apologetic look, then shrugs it off.
It grows awkward, so she busies herself by reorganizing a rack of clothes.
“Oh, Cara needs help at the register. Gotta go! But count me in for tonight! Bye!” She shoots me a wink.
I glare, knowing she’s full of shit because her new employee is handling it just fine.
“Alright, well I better go too. Don’t want all the fresh fruit to sell out.” Katie glances between Tyler and me with a smirk. She and Owen walk out, leaving us alone.
“Sorry, I told Everleigh.”
“It’s totally fine. They would’ve found out eventually. Guess I need to accept that it’s only a matter of time before everyone else does too.”
“I’d ask if you’re okay, but that feels like a dumb question.”
The roughness in his tone makes me smile. He’s nervous.
“Nah, it’s alright. I talked to my dad this morning and told him about the wedding.”
“Really?” His eyes light up. “How’d he take it?”
“Surprisingly well. A huge weight has lifted off my shoulders.”
“Good. I’m happy to hear that. I know how worried you were about having that conversation.” Seeing Tyler’s genuine concern makes my heart burst.
“He asked about you too.”
With an arched brow, he gives me a cocky grin. “Yeah?”
“I explained we were just friends and you had nothing to do with the breakup. Though I’m not sure he believed me.”
“What’s the real reason then?”
I lower my gaze, noticing Sassy’s getting restless. “It’s…complicated?”
Tyler chuckles with a nod. “Guess that works.”
Sassy whines and pulls on her leash. “You better go before she makes a mess in here,” I tell him. “Have a good weekend.”
“Yeah, you too.” Tyler turns toward the door, and I quickly stop him, then step closer.
“Thank you again for last night. I owe you one.”