saying hi when Tyler came in to bring me something I forgot at the house.” She waggles her brows and grins wide. She definitely planned this run-in.
“Oh, gotcha. Well, Dad and I were doing some shopping.”
“Tyler!” My dad steps over toward him and slaps him on the back. “You kids excited for tonight?”
He’s reminded me every day since Tuesday to plan the double date, so yesterday, I finally did just to get him off my back. But seeing Tyler and Katie together is making me regret it. When the two of them smile at each other, my temperature rises, and I just want to disappear.
I love Katie and want her to be happy—she deserves it after the hell she’s been through—but Tyler and I have a history. If I told Katie it made me feel uneasy, she’d back away and understand, especially since she knows all about our past. But I don’t want to be that person.
I’ll never be the type of woman who can’t have a guy but doesn’t want anyone else to have him either. It’s not fair to either of them since I’m marrying Robert.
“Yeah, definitely! Owen’s gonna have a sleepover at my parents' tonight, so I’ll have the whole evening,” Katie says happily.
I lock my arms behind my back and try to act normal. By the tone of her voice, she’s implying she’ll have time after the date to be with Tyler. The hard pounding of my heart tells me I’m losing control of my emotions.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I cannot be jealous. I’m engaged, planning a wedding, and moving out. Robert and I are in love, and we’re going to have a happy life together. A blast from the past won’t change that.
It can’t. Or at least that’s what I’m trying to convince myself.
“Where are y’all goin’ tonight?” Daddy asks.
“The pub,” I tell him. “For some drinks and pool.”
“The pub?” My dad scrunches his face. “For a date?”
“Daddy, it’s a relaxed get-to-know-you kinda thing. Nothing serious.”
“We’ll save the wining and dining for our first official date,” Tyler chimes in, flicking his eyes to mine with a devilish look. He knows exactly what he’s doing, hoping to get a reaction from me in front of everyone. Over the past two weeks, I’ve noticed he enjoys doing that. Tyler tests me during every conversation we have, and I don’t know if it’s because he enjoys the chase or he loves to watch me squirm. Either way, it grates on my last nerve.
“Ah, that’s my boy.” My dad chuckles.
“Where’s Robert?” Tyler asks smugly.
“He’s working.” I glare at him.
“Must suck that he works so much.” The corner of his lips perks up. “You sure he’ll make it tonight?”
“Yes. He’ll be there.”
“Great. Looking forward to it.” Tyler smirks, then turns to Katie. “I have to run, but I’ll see you later.”
“Yep, can’t wait.” She beams.
Tyler waves to everyone as he walks toward the open door, and when I glance over my shoulder at him, he flashes me a wink, then chuckles.
Asshole.
“Hey.” Katie pulls me aside. “Everything okay?”
I tilt my head and furrow my brows. “Yeah, why?”
“You seem off. I just want to make sure this date won’t be too much or awkward with Robert and Tyler together.”
Too much is the understatement of the century.
“It’ll be totally fine. You two will be chatting mostly anyway, and Robert and I will shoot pool or play darts to give y’all some privacy.” I smile wide, hoping to convince her, though I genuinely want her to have a good time.
“Okay, because it’s not too late to cancel if you’ve changed your mind. I just thought with your history and everything—”
“Katie.” I suck in a breath. “I’m engaged to Robert. Tyler and I dated years ago for three months. It’s ancient history at this point.”
“Alright, as long as you’re not uncomfortable because I could see myself liking him after we get to know each other a little better.”
My jaw nearly snaps off as my heart pounds rapidly in my chest. “Really?”
“Well, based on what I’ve seen or know about him. I wouldn’t normally introduce a man to Owen so soon, but the moment Tyler started talking about football, Owen lit up.”
“Then I hope it works out, Katie. Honestly. Tyler’s a nice guy.”
The moment Robert and I walk into the pub, I immediately need a drink. Tyler and Katie are already in a booth with theirs. We’re only a few minutes late, but it looks like they’ve been here a while.
“Hey,” I greet when we walk up.
“Hey!” Katie