I had rejected her. And in turn, she was rejecting me right back.
It fucking sucked.
Meg brought out the tiramisu cake after we finished dinner. Skylar gave me a quick look and I smiled before she could turn away.
“Sky, it’s your favorite,” Meg gushed. “That’s so sweet of you, Robert.” She gave her friend a look that I couldn’t read, and Skylar gazed blandly back at her.
As Meg cut the cake and gave us all a slice, Tyler started getting fussy. Meg lifted him out of his booster seat. “It looks like mister is ready for bed. If you guys don’t mind, I’m going to go bathe him.”
Adam started to stand up. “Let me come with you.”
Meg waved him off. “No, you stay with our guests. I won’t be long.” Tyler started sucking on his fingers, tucking his head beneath his mom’s chin. “He’ll be passed out before I have him in PJs at this rate. I’ll be back down soon.”
Adam stood up and kissed his wife and then tenderly kissed his son’s head. The image of the happy family made something in my chest ache. I had never thought much about having a family of my own. Given my lifestyle, a wife and kids didn’t quite fit. I had the benefit of growing up in a loving household, so it made sense that should be something I would want for myself.
And maybe have one day. When I was more successful; when I had more money saved up. When I could be sure Mom and Sam were taken care of.
That was a lot of ‘when’s.’
I glanced at Skylar to see that she was watching her friends with a sadly wistful expression. I looked away before she realized I was watching her like a weirdo.
Once Meg and Tyler were gone, Adam cracked open three more beers and passed them around the table.
“I shouldn’t. Some of us have to drive home.” Skylar pushed the beer away.
“Robert can give you a ride,” Adam suggested—the king of obliviousness.
Skylar shook her head. “He’s been drinking too, smarty-pants.”
“I’m not remotely drunk, Sky. I can take you home if you need a lift,” I offered.
“That’s okay. I’ll be sober as a nun by the time I head out.” She got up to fill her glass with water and I felt the sting of disappointment.
“Whatever, suit yourself. It’s a waste of good ale,” Adam complained. “So, Sky, the boys and I were talking, and we need some more digital marketing done. Is that something you could handle for us?” Adam asked once Skylar sat back down.
I raised an eyebrow at my partner, and he shrugged slightly. We hadn’t talked about anything of the sort.
Skylar finished her beer and tossed the bottle in the trash. “Marketing isn’t really my thing, Adam. I can help you with some graphics, drive more traffic to your site, but that’s about the extent of my expertise.”
“Yes, graphics would be great! Maybe something we could use in online ads. Meg suggested we target social media to drive up business,” Adam went on excitedly.
“That’s a good idea. That’s where most advertising is successful these days.” Skylar nodded.
Adam turned to me. “Rob, can you talk to Skylar about some ideas for graphics? You came up with that great tagline for advertising. Remember?”
“Legal expertise with you in mind? That one?” I asked.
Adam pointed at me. “Yes! That’s it. It’s pretty good, right, Sky?”
“Not bad, “Skylar conceded. “It’s a hell of a lot better than the one Jeremy came up with when I was putting the website together.”
“What was it?” I asked her.
“Trust me, I’m a lawyer,” she deadpanned, and we all started laughing our asses off.
“I don’t know, I’m thinking that one might be a winner,” I replied blandly.
“You’re right. It’s perfect,” Skylar agreed.
“What? You guys are kidding, right? We can’t have that be our slogan. Please tell me you’re kidding.” Adam seemed slightly panicked.
Skylar shrugged. “Why would we kid about that?”
We shared a look then both started laughing again. Adam seemed relieved when he realized we were joking.
“So, you’ll help her?” Adam asked me.
“I don’t think Skylar needs my help, Adam,” I argued. Not because I didn’t want to help her—I’d sell a kidney if it meant spending time with her—but I figured she’d be insulted by the suggestion she needed my assistance at all.
Once again, I’d said the absolute worst thing.
Skylar tensed; her jaw tight. “I don’t need any help. I’ll be fine doing this on my own. It’s how I like it.”
“I didn’t mean I don’t want to help you—” I started to say but she wasn’t listening. She wouldn’t hear me.
“I’d better get home. I have some work to do this evening.” Skylar got to her feet. “Is it safe to go and say goodbye to Meg? I don’t want to interrupt her putting Tyler to bed.”