Just as we’re moving past the bar, a guy turns around with a beer in his hand. He’s not paying attention, and seconds later, he bumps into me. The liquid runs down my dress, and I yelp at the coldness.
“Are you serious?” My dress soaks it in, and he apologizes, but I groan and keep walking.
Everleigh leans in, looping my arm with hers. “Surprised Tyler didn’t kick that guy’s ass for doing that.”
“Shut up,” I say playfully as she nudges me. She’s aware of how I felt about Tyler and what happened between us by the end of it. While I don’t know what she’s shared with him about me over the years, I’m sure it’s enough to keep him informed.
Though it’s late, it’s still humid as hell, which doesn’t help how sticky I already feel from the beer I’m wearing. I walk beside Everleigh as she chats about posting our photos early next week. Tyler walks behind us, and I swear I can feel his eyes burning a hole in the back of my head.
“Good night, you two,” Everleigh sing-songs when the storefront comes into view. She waves her fingers with a teasing smirk. “I’ll text you tomorrow!”
I chuckle at her obnoxiousness. Her house isn’t too far so she’ll make it home fine. “Goodbye!”
Once I find my keys, I hand them to Tyler with a shaky hand. The nervous tension returns when Everleigh is out of sight, and it’s just the two of us. Guess there’s no amount of whiskey or tequila that can hide it.
“Here, let me help you before you break an ankle.” Tyler unlocks, then opens the door for me. It’s the first time we’ve been this close, and I can smell the faint hint of his cologne and soap. Memories flood in from years ago, but I push them away and climb inside. He cranks the car and grins when it rumbles to life.
“What?”
“I’ve always wanted to drive one of these.” When I graduated from college, my dad fully restored a 1967 Ford Mustang for me and painted it jet black.
I lean my head against the seat. “Just be careful, she wants to go ninety all the time.”
“Noted. So am I taking you to your fiancé’s house or…”
“No, you’re taking me home.”
“Tell me where that is.” His voice is velvety smooth like chocolate.
“It’s where it’s always been.” I chuckle. “The house behind my dad’s.”
The same place he took my virginity and where we spent endless nights having sex.
“The Snow White cottage?” he asks, pulling out onto the road.
“Yep. Remember when we used to hang out there after I graduated?”
I immediately clamp my mouth shut, but it’s too late. The alcohol makes me blurt out those words. Bringing up our past has been on the tip of my tongue all night. The summer I spent with Tyler often feels like a lifetime away, but also seems like it was yesterday.
“How could I forget? It was the best summer I’ve ever had here.” He finally glances over at me, and I’m thankful it’s dark so he can’t see the heat rising to my cheeks.
We stay silent, listening to the radio until Tyler pulls into the driveway. After getting out of the car, we walk around the house to the cottage. He follows me, and when I turn to look at him, I nearly trip and bust my ass.
The only thing that saves me is Tyler’s quick reflexes. For a second, the world momentarily shook on its axis, but he caught me before I embarrassed myself. I look up into his brown eyes and suck in a breath. For a moment, it feels like we’re suspended in time as we stare intently at each other. He swallows, and his mouth opens, and I notice his heartbeat pulsing in his neck.
“You okay?” he asks, sounding more confident than he looks.
I shake out of his trance. “Nearly twisted my ankle, but I’ll live. These damn shoes. This is why I hate wearing heels, but Everleigh insisted.” I bend over to take them off, then walk barefoot the rest of the way.
“You gotta come inside and check the place out. Might shock you compared to the last time you saw it. It took Dad and me an entire summer to renovate and add a kitchen. One reason I’m not looking forward to leaving. Too many memories.” I don’t know why I mentioned that last part.
He hands over my keys, and I unlock the door. Thankfully, I cleaned up a couple of days ago, so there are no bras or leggings thrown around.
Tyler walks in with a smile that nearly touches his eyes. It’s so genuine and contagious, I’m grinning wide as I watch his expression. He looks impressed as he glances around with his arms crossed over his broad chest.
“Wow, you did an amazing job, Gemma. This is…perfect. Cozy. And so you.”