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.”
He studies my mother’s paintings on the walls, steps around my quaint kitchen, and runs his fingertip across the marble island that my dad built.
As I watch him take it all in, the sticky clothes start to irritate me and become uncomfortable. I remove my dress and let out a sigh of relief. Next, I pull my hair up into a high bun, then grab a bottle of water from the fridge.
“Wait, how are you getting home?” The realization that he doesn’t have a car hits me.
“Walking,” he says from behind me.
My eyes widen as I turn around. “In the dark? That’s way too far.”
A laugh escapes him, and it’s something I didn’t realize I missed until it echoes against the walls. “I lived in Vegas, Gemma. I’m not scared of walking at night here. Aside from the stray cats and crickets, the only terrifying thing in this town is how fast the gossip mills run.”
I snort at the truth in his words as I go to the living room and plop down on the sofa. “You could always stay.” I pat the throw pillow with an old Mustang on it. A gift my dad got me one Christmas.
“Where? The couch?” He arches a brow at how small it is, which causes me to laugh. His long legs would probably hang over the edge. Immediately, I’m brought back in time and remember what it felt like to be wrapped up in his arms and how it made me feel so tiny.
“Yeah, why not? It’s pretty damn comfy.” The room spins, and I blink hard until it stops.
When I look up at him, I notice he’s staring down at the ring on my finger. The light makes it sparkle and brings unnecessary attention to it. A lump forms in my throat, and the urge to change the subject hits me hard.
“Damn. Where are my manners?” I stand and go back to the kitchen. “Want something to drink? I have bottled water, Diet Coke, sweet tea...”
He chews his bottom lip as he shakes his head, then lowers his eyes down my body.
Tyler clears his throat. “Might want to put on some clothes?”
My body is on fire with embarrassment as I remember I’m only in my bra and panties.
Stupid, stupid, stupid. “Shit. I’m sorry, hold on…” Blushing, I turn and hurry to my bedroom.
I wasn’t thinking straight, and the wet dress and alcohol flowing through my veins didn’t help. I feel like the emperor when he realizes he’s walked around in his birthday suit and want to smack myself for being so dumb.
When I return in shorts and a T-shirt, he’s standing against the island. “Better?” I chuckle to ease the tension, then step in front of him. “Please don’t walk home.” The thought of him being out this late has me concerned. He might not