Needing You Close (Ex-Con Duet 2)

“Tyler…” My name comes out as a strained whisper. “He knows about us.”

I blink hard, my heart racing in my chest. “Knows what?”

We haven’t been an us in twelve years, and other than the make-out session misstep, we’ve kept our distance.

“That we dated.”

“So?” I shrug. “That was long before you two got together. Why does it matter?”

Gemma cheeks flush as she chews on her bottom lip. “I didn’t tell him we had a history when he asked questions about you. Someone must’ve told him, or he paid to get the information, but it’s not as though we were a secret. When I brushed off that you were working at the garage, he hired a PI. He said he didn’t trust me and wanted to keep an eye on me. Robert’s convinced it was only a matter of time.”

“Until what?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Until we…” She clears her throat and stands straighter. “Until I was unfaithful to him. I don’t think he knows what happened recently, but he’s suspicious enough to have us followed.”

I roll my eyes at the audacity of this asshole.

“I told him I wanted out,” she softly declares almost as if she’s afraid to say the words aloud.

Thank God. Her confession has my entire body buzzing. I wish I could round the counter, pull her into my arms, and tell her she’s safe with me. But instead, I keep my hands and admissions to myself.

“Good. You deserve better, Gemma.”

“Yeah,” she whispers. “He was pissed. Robert won’t let me go without a fight.”

“Well, I hope you told him to fuck off because if he harasses you again, I won’t be as nice as I was at the bar.”

That causes a slight smile to form on her lips. “He doesn’t use his fists, Tyler. He throws money at his problems and pays people to do his dirty work.”

“Pussy,” I mutter, causing Gemma to chuckle. “Alright, well don’t eat before you come over. I’ll make dinner.”

“You don’t have to go to any trouble, Tyler,” she insists, but she’s crazy if she thinks I’m not gonna use this opportunity to cook for her again.

“Cooking for you is never trouble.” I flash her a wink.

The front door opens, and when I look over my shoulder, I see it’s a customer.

“We better get back to work,” she says, smiling at the woman behind me.

“’Kay. See ya later. Holler if you need anything, okay?”

“I will.”

A thousand thoughts fill my head as I walk into the shop.

She called off the wedding.

And not because I asked her to.

Robert’s a douche and sabotaged himself. I couldn’t be happier about it either.

Even if Gemma’s single right now, it doesn’t mean things will be any easier between us. It’s still really complicated. Though I can’t stop thinking about the way her body responded when I touched her. It brought back memories of the summer we spent together, memories that saved me in my darkest days. That same spark between us is sizzling just as hot as before, but we’re different people now. No matter what, Gemma needs time to heal her broken heart, and I just hope that I can help.

As much as I want to swoop her into my arms and claim her as mine, I won’t rush anything. I tried staying away, but I’m not wasting this second chance to be with her. When she’s ready, I’ll be here waiting.

“Mornin’,” Jerry says, handing me a sheet of paper. “Glad you’re back.”

“Me, too.” I study the list of everything that needs to be done today. “I’ll get right to work.”

“Thanks, son. Been hectic without ya here and it’s only gettin’ busier.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll catch up.” I flash him a smirk, and he smiles. I wonder if Gemma told him about her and Robert.

As I go through my to-do orders, I think about what to make this evening. I never asked her what she thought of my chili I made at her place. Tonight, I’d like to surprise her with something special. Even though we won’t be alone and it won’t be a date, she deserves it after the past few days she’s had.

“Jerry.” I walk up to him before my lunch break. “What’s Gemma’s favorite dish?”

His lips pinch together as he studies me.

Quickly, I add, “She and my sister are having a girls’ night, and I offered to cook. So I was wondering if you could help a guy out.”

That makes him chuckle, and his shoulders relax. “Shrimp and grits.”

Grinning, I nod. “Thanks. I’ll see what I can do.”

“You can’t go wrong with biscuits and gravy either,” he tells me.

“Is her favorite dessert still red velvet cake?”

“Sure is.”

Good to know.

“Thanks. Sounds like I’ll be putting my cooking skills to the test later,” I say with a laugh. It’s been a while since I’ve made seafood.

Jerry steps around me, but not without a strong pat on the back. “Just remember she’s an engaged woman.”