“Thank you. Not sure what I’d do without you two.”
“Probably marry that asshole,” Everleigh blurts, which makes me snort. She grabs Sassy’s leash and takes her outside.
I reread the message I typed to Winnie before hitting send.
Gemma: Hi, Winnie. I want to be respectful and let you know that Robert and I are no longer getting married, so I’d appreciate it if you’d canceled all the plans. I’m grateful for the work you’ve done planning this wedding, but your services are no longer needed.
Considering how quickly she responded to me this weekend, I expect an instant reply, but wonder if I’ll get one. Everleigh returns with Sassy who trots over to Tyler and jumps in his lap.
“Hey, girl.” He pets her head, and she starts licking his face. “Too much, too much.”
“Sassy!” Everleigh snaps. “Come get a treat.” Once the magic word is said, Sassy jumps down and rushes to the kitchen.
I start yawning and feel as if I could fall asleep sitting up. When I check my phone to see if Winnie’s replied yet, I realize it’s almost nine. The past few days I’ve slept like shit, and I think it’s finally caught up to me.
“I should probably get going,” I say, getting up from the couch. Tyler stands, and Everleigh gives me a hug before telling me good night. She looks just as exhausted as me right now, but she’s been working extra hours at the boutique.
“Let me walk you out,” Tyler suggests, and butterflies flutter in the pit of my stomach.
“Okay,” I mutter as Everleigh goes to her room, and I swear I hear her chuckling under her breath.
I grab my keys from the counter, and Tyler follows. I wish I could take him home with me because when he’s around, I feel like nothing bad could happen. Tyler would protect me no matter what, and he’s been doing so since he showed up a few months ago. I was just too stubborn to realize I was in danger. Though, I never could’ve predicted that Robert was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but looking back at the signs, I should have.
We go outside, and the mid-autumn breeze paints across my skin. This season has always reminded me of when Tyler left, the heartbreak that brought on was almost too much for me to handle. But now he’s here, and we have the opportunity to start over and rekindle our friendship that I cherished so damn much.
When we get to my car, I turn and meet his gaze, and my breath hitches. It’s almost as if I’m eighteen again, noticing the fire in his eyes for the first time. Tyler looks up and down the street, then his gaze meets mine again.
“I’m sorry for ever hurting you, Gemma. It’s one of the biggest regrets of my life,” he admits. I watch his tongue dart out and lick his lips, and the urge to taste him again nearly takes over.
“You don’t have to keep apologizing to me. You couldn’t stay, and I couldn’t leave. We shared an amazing summer together, which is something I’ve never forgotten. You mean a lot to me, Tyler. You’re one of the only people who really understands me on a deeper level. There are a lot of things I regret too, but I’ve realized that all we have is the present and the future. So I’m trying to cherish the good and not harp so much on the past. It’s time for us to start over and forget about all of the heartache, if you’re willing.”
He brushes loose strands of hair behind my ear, and I have to force myself not to lean into his touch. “I’m willing to try,” he tells me. “Not to be selfish, but I’m glad the wedding is off. As I’ve always said, you deserve the world, Gemma. And a man who’d fight to give that to you. I’m not giving up hope that someday you’ll get your happily ever after like in all those rom-coms you love so much.”
When the silence drags on, I realize I’m stalling. Doesn’t he know he was that person for me? That he was always the only man I ever wanted for years?
I don’t want the night to end yet, but it has to. It’s too dangerous for us to be together, to be close, and I think he understands that too.
“I want that too. Thanks again for everything,” I say, shifting off the car so I can get inside.
Tyler reaches around and opens the door for me. “Be careful driving home. Watch your back. Be safe. We’ll figure this out together, Gemma. I promise,” he reassures, and I have no doubt he means it.
“I will and thank you again. Good night,” I offer with a smile as I climb in.
“Night, see you tomorrow.” He stands in the driveway with his arms crossed over his chest and watches me leave. I wave, and he returns the gesture.