We wrap up the call a few minutes later, and after Sassy does her business, I walk her back. Once we’re inside, I refill her water and food, then text Eric. Less than ten minutes later, he responds.
Eric: I’ll set it up and get back with you on the date and time.
Tyler: Sounds good. Thanks.
I text Serena, then grab some clothes and go to the bathroom to rinse off the day’s sweat. As I stand with the stream beating against my back, I lower my head and suck in a deep breath. I can’t believe after five years, I’m being brought back into Victoria’s corrupt life. If she finds out I’m helping Eric and the prosecution’s case, she’ll come for me.
And if she does, she won’t just plant drugs and guns.
She’ll make sure to end me for good.
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,” I argue.
“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 see the potential 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 as she rushes around the counter, then pulls 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 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. The hard pounding of my heart tells me I’m losing control of my emotions.