Keeping You Away (Ex-Con Duet 1)

“That’s funny.”

Dad chuckles. “I guess my point is, if you’re nervous or stressed about this wedding stuff, I understand. It can drive a woman crazy. Your mother, who loved tradition, was ready to throw in the towel and book us a flight to Vegas.”

My heart aches that he thinks my bad mood is because of the wedding.

“Robert wants to move up the wedding to November,” I tell him for the first time. “That means we’d be getting married in two months.”

“Wow. That’s coming up. But what do you want?”

I shrug. “It feels too soon. I’m not sure if I’m ready for all those changes right now. I think I need more time,” I admit.

“Oh, Gemma.” He pats my hand. “Out of my two kids, you were always the critical thinker and people pleaser. But sweetheart, you have to follow your heart. It always knows the right thing to do before your head does. So if it’s telling you to wait, then wait, but if not, it wouldn’t hurt to move the date. I wished your mother and I had because we would’ve gotten more time to be married. But the invitations were already sent, and RSVPs were coming in. Robert’s the perfect guy for you, and he wants to make you happy, which I know he can for the rest of your lives. I’m positive he’ll do whatever you want.”

Dad twists the dagger that’s been lodged in my heart since that night with Tyler. Dad really likes Robert, but I’m no longer confident he’s the right man for me. Can he truly make me happy for the rest of my life when it feels like he wants to control it?

“Dad, I have a question for you.”

“Go on.”

“Did you still get butterflies from Mom after all those years of being together?”

HIs lips tilt up into a toothy grin. “Yes. I never once stopped feeling that spark when I was with her. Even when our arms would brush, I’d get goose bumps. I think that’s how you know it’s real, pumpkin. When you wake up in the morning or when you go to bed, that’s the person you think about. And it’s who you want to spend all your time with.”

I listen to his words and take them all in, realizing I’ve not felt that way about Robert in a long time. He proposed so quickly into our relationship, and I said yes but haven’t taken the time to really think any of this through until now.

When I woke up this morning, the only person on my mind was Tyler. I feel like such a piece of shit, and unfortunately, this conversation hasn’t helped. But I don’t give my insecurities away and keep sipping my wine, trying to enjoy this time with my father.

“Man, I miss your mom so much,” he admits, and I suck in a deep breath, the air feeling thin in my lungs.

“Me too,” I say, wishing she were here right now.

The mood turns somber, and I finish my drink. When Dad stands, I do too, and he pulls me into a hug.

“Marriage is supposed to be the happiest time of your life, sweetie. Don’t let all the small things ruin this moment.”

I squeeze him tight, wishing I could tell him everything but keep it buried deep inside. Maybe one day, he’ll know the truth, but that’s not going to be today.

“Love you, Dad.”

“Love you too,” he says before turning and walking inside the house.

I go into the cottage and grab my cell phone to see another text from Robert. Maybe this is all in my head, and I’m creating issues that aren’t there? Maybe I need to give him another chance to prove himself?

Unlocking my phone, I read his message.

Robert: I know I’m being pushy, baby. I just think about you all the time and miss you so much. Want to come over tonight?

I look up at the clock and realize how tipsy I actually am, but I could sober up in a few hours.

Gemma: Sorry, I was chatting with my dad. I’d like that a lot. What time?

The best thing I can do is get Tyler out of my mind and replace all those thoughts with Robert. He’s going to be my future husband, and I can’t allow what happened between Tyler and me to ruin my plans.

Robert suggests I come over around seven, and I tell him I’ll be there.

At least he’s trying. I should too. Relationships are full of ups and downs. Robert wants to marry me more than anything, so the least I can do is give it my all to see if that’s what I want too.

Tyler’s reaction today might be the closure I’ve so desperately needed, and since he felt nothing, maybe I’ll finally be able to move on without him.

Chapter Twenty

TYLER

It’s been a week since Gemma came over to talk about what happened between us. I was purposely rude and short because I need to keep her away, regardless of how much it fucking hurts. The disappointment on her face when I told her I felt nothing was something I won’t forget for the rest of my life. Though, I’m not sure what she wanted me to say. If I admitted that it meant more to me than I led on and that I think she should dump her douchebag fiancé, it would’ve caused more problems.