“I hope for your sake he comes back and fixes his mistakes. I’ll tell you, though, life after prison isn’t easy. Especially with how long he’ll be in there.” Noah got twelve years, but Gemma told me it’s looking more like ten with his good behavior.
“I’m not welcoming him back with open arms, if that’s your suggestion.”
I chuckle at the way she scoffs. “Nope. Not at all. He’s got a lot of explaining to do and not only to you either.”
Katie smiles and finally releases a soft laugh. “Thanks, Tyler. I really appreciate you talking to me.”
“What are awkward first dates for?” I beam, and we finish off the rest of the fries.
“Good mornin’,” I greet Gemma Monday morning with a wide grin when I walk inside the lobby.
She looks up at me from the computer. “Morning. My dad’s looking for you.”
“Uh-oh. Am I in trouble?” I pretend to pout, then walk over to fill a cup with coffee.
“Doubtful. He adores you.”
Stepping toward her, I lean one arm against the counter. “And you?”
“What? No!” Her forehead creases. “I mean, wait…do I what?”
Before I can respond, Jerry enters the lobby in a chipper mood. “Tyler! Good to see ya, son.” He cheerfully pats my shoulder, then gets himself a cup of coffee, too. “Hope you’ve recovered from your hot date because we have a jam-packed day.”
“Yes, sir.” I chuckle, then flash Gemma a wink who then narrows her eyes. “A little sore, but nothing I can’t handle.”
I don’t mention it’s from working out all weekend and bruising my knuckles on the punching bag, but neither of them needs to know that. It’s clear Gemma has no idea that Katie and I decided to just be friends, or her nostrils wouldn’t be flaring with jealousy.
“Good, good.” Jerry walks past me with his coffee in hand. “If you and Katie get real hot and heavy, y’all might even beat Gemma and Robert to the altar with how long they’ve been waiting.”
I nearly choke on the hot liquid as Gemma’s cheeks burn red.
Jerry chuckles as he opens the shop door. “See ya out there.”
“Since we had a double date, maybe we should have a double wedding too? Whatcha think?” I rest an elbow on the counter.
“Why are you enjoying this so much?”
“Enjoying life? Could be the fact that I’m no longer behind bars. What’s not to enjoy, Gemma?”
She rolls her eyes with a huff. “I don’t have time for your childish games, so go do your job so I can do mine.”
I stand tall and salute her. “Yes, ma’am.”
Smirking at her displeased groan, I enter the shop and start my first assignment.
“You’re a fuckin’ asshole,” Gemma snaps the moment we’re alone in the break room. She marched inside as soon as I grabbed my lunch from the fridge.
“Excuse me?”
“I just spoke to Katie, who told me exactly how your date ended.”
“Did she now?” I muse. “Did she explain it thoroughly enough, or would you like a demonstration?”
She crosses her arms over her chest, glaring. “Cut the shit, Tyler. I know y’all decided to just be friends and shared a basket of fries.”
“Best damn fries in town.” I set down my food and take a seat.
Gemma slams her palm on the table. “Why do you insist on driving me crazy?”
“How am I driving you crazy exactly? I’m sitting here, trying to eat. So either join me or go back to your fiancé.”
“Is that what your damn problem is? You left, and years later, I finally moved on and found a man who loves me. Now you’re hell-bent on…what exactly?” She throws up her arms, flustered. “Making me jealous? What was I supposed to do, wait for you forever? You barrel back into town and—”
“And what?” I snap. Pushing to my feet, I walk until I’m standing directly in front of her. “I’m not trying to make you jealous. Katie and I decided to be only friends, but I never said otherwise because you didn’t ask. But if you’re second-guessing your loyalty to your fiancé, then that’s on you and was happening way before I came back. So, think about that instead of accusing me of being the problem.”
“I never said you were the problem…” she whispers.
“So there’s a problem?” I ask, and she lowers her eyes. “Does he always act like he did Saturday night?”
She swallows hard before licking her lips. “No. I mean, not really. He doesn’t have a bad temper, but he’d been drinking and was frustrated.”
I step back slightly and cross my arms to stop myself from reaching out and touching her. “Over what?”
Gemma shakes her head and attempts to walk away, but I grab her arm and gently pull her back. “Tell me.”
“He wants to move the wedding to November instead of March.”
I swallow hard as the vein in my throat threatens to burst. “How come?”