Keeping You Away (Ex-Con Duet 1)

Tyler was so pissed and hurt. He had every right to be, considering I led him on, but it’s no secret I’m engaged. I’m so damn confused. Feeling his mouth pressed against mine and allowing the moment to consume me felt so right even though I knew it was wrong. I’m not sure how Robert would react or what he’d do if he found out. He already hates and judges Tyler, and after their awkward standoff in the lobby, I know it wouldn’t be good. I wish I could forget it happened, but that’s been impossible.

I’ve never felt a stream of electricity like that with anyone else, only Tyler. And I’d thought after all these years, it’d have dissipated, but it’s only gotten stronger.

Ever since the “incident,” we’ve avoided each other like an STD. The only conversations we’ve had have been related to work and to the point. He avoids eye contact, and if I walk into a room, he leaves. At first, I expected it, but now it’s driving me insane. All week I’ve thought about confronting him so we can finally clear the air, but I can’t do it at work. I don’t want my dad to get suspicious, and it’s better if it stays between the two of us.

Instead of pacing around my house all day, I grab my keys, determined to talk to him. I check the clock and see it’s just past noon. Showing up unannounced is rude, but since Everleigh’s working, it means Tyler will be alone.

My heart pounds rapidly as I drive there. I haven’t figured out what I’m going to say when I see him, but I’m hoping the words just fall out so we can get past the awkwardness. Above it all, I owe him an apology and hope he accepts it. I never should’ve crossed the line. If we were two different people, there’s no doubt the night would’ve ended in my bed. A part of me wishes it would have, but the other part is glad it didn’t. It’s nearly impossible to ignore the chemistry between us and pretend the constant tug of emotions isn’t there.

When I turn the corner and see Everleigh’s place, my courage begins to wane, but I have to do this. I pull into the driveway and see a car parked on the street in front of her condo that I don’t recognize. Ever since those two men followed me, I’ve been hyperaware of my surroundings. After I turn off the engine, I tighten my ponytail, then walk to the door.

I find my words and suck in a deep breath, hoping this ends well. We need to find common ground again and move on with our lives. After I press the doorbell, Sassy barks, but I don’t hear anything else.

Growing impatient, I ring it again just as the door swings open.

Tyler stands in front of me with only a towel wrapped low around his waist. Water drips down his chest using his muscles as a path to his happy trail. I bite down on my lower lip, not prepared to get a show before we talked.

“Gemma,” he snaps. “Everleigh isn’t here. She’s at the boutique.”

I tilt my head at him. “Right, but I actually came here to talk to you.”

He doesn’t budge and continues to stand while keeping the door cracked. “Okay, go ahead.”

“Don’t you want to get dressed first?”

I’m tempted to push past him and let myself inside since he didn’t offer.

“I’m kinda busy. Will this be a long conversation?”

With every passing second, I grow more frustrated. He’s not being his typical self and isn’t acting like the Tyler I know. He’s acting like I’m the biggest inconvenience of his life, and honestly, I don’t like this side of him.

“I want to talk about what happened between us the other night. So you want me to stand right here and have that conversation? Or do you want to invite me inside where we can have some privacy?”

He shrugs but doesn’t say anything.

Fine then.

“We need to get back to normal. My dad asked what’s going on because he noticed things have changed between us. I don’t want him to get suspicious, so can we act like we’re friends at least? For the sake of working together every day?” I hate how desperate my voice comes out but talking to him and being this close to him when he looks like that makes me anxious.

Tyler crosses his arms over his chest. “It was nothing more than a heated kiss and a mistake, Gemma. That’s it. You’re engaged, and like you said, it never should’ve happened, so let’s pretend it didn’t. It meant nothing to me anyway, so you can go back to planning the wedding of your dreams.”

Excuse me? My blood boils as my adrenaline spikes. “It meant nothing to you?”