get there on time.”
“Okay,” she replied with another smile. “Maybe Monday you can work with me at the restaurant? I’m hoping something in there will jog your memory.”
“Sounds great. Although, I have to say it’s been nice lounging around the house.”
Summer laughed. “I’ll bet. But we need to get you back on a normal schedule, doctor’s orders.”
I followed her into the living room where Evan stood with my niece in his arms. I kissed her cheek and she smiled. “See ya later, princess.” Then I looked up at Evan. “Thanks for watching the race with me today.”
“You’re welcome. If I’m not traveling to a race, I always like to catch them on TV. Maybe one day next week we can watch him practice like we used to.”
Excitement bubbled in my veins. “That’ll be amazing. I’ll ask Luke tonight when he calls.”
Summer listened to our conversation with a look on her face I couldn’t decipher. She wasn’t happy, but she wasn’t upset either; it was almost as if she was sad. As much as I wanted her to approve my choices, I still had to think about myself, about my happiness.
Once they left, I had about an hour before I needed to leave for the tavern. I was afraid Luke wouldn’t call in time, but luckily, my phone rang. When I saw his name pop across my screen, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Hey,” I answered excitedly.
He chuckled. “Hey yourself. You sound awfully happy.”
“Of course I am. Congratulations on the win. You looked amazing out there.”
“You watched the race?” he asked in disbelief.
Pacing the living room floor, my cheeks hurt from smiling. “Evan and I did. He reminisced on some of the things we all used to do together.”
“Like what?”
“The times when we used to watch you practice at your house.”
He burst out laughing. “Did he also say you hurt your wrist after wrecking my little pit bike?”
I groaned. “Yes, and I’m kind of glad I don’t remember that. I bet I looked like an idiot.”
“Actually, you didn’t look that bad. I’m surprised you made it as far as you did. The ride home from the doctor’s office was the funniest part though. Once you got those pain meds in your system, I couldn’t get you to shut up.”
My cheeks burned and I was pretty sure my face was bright red. “What all did I say?”
“I’m thinking it was something about a unicorn man in purple chaps, and how you wanted to eat cotton candy with him. If I wasn’t driving, I would’ve videotaped you. It was the funniest shit I’d ever heard.”
I gasped. “Oh my God, I can’t believe I said that.”
“You were always joking around and saying hilarious things. That’s how everyone could tell you and your sister apart. She was always the serious one.”
“Tell me about it.” I couldn’t agree more.
There was a honking sound in the background and my ears perked up. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“Nothing, why?”
“It sounds like you’re driving.”
He snickered, the sound of it sexy and deep. “I might be.”
“I thought you were going to relax in your hotel? Is there some big party you’re going to?” I was happy for him winning the race, but I couldn’t ignore the spark of jealousy in my gut. I didn’t like the thought of him being around other women.
Luke chuckled again and I held my breath. What was he doing to me? “No party, cupcake. I’m on my way home.”
I gasped. “Aren’t you exhausted?”
“A little, but I’ll be fine. I’m just three hours away. I was hoping we’d be able to spend the day together tomorrow. Maybe go out on my boat and have a picnic?”
Heart pounding, I sucked in a breath and blew it out slowly. The thought of being with him excited me, especially since he was driving home early to be with me. “I would love to. I’ll pack the lunch.”
“It’s a date then.” Butterflies fluttered in my belly. I couldn’t wait to see him. “So what are you doing tonight?”
It was the question I’d hoped he wouldn’t ask, but I had to give him the truth. “I’m going to visit Grayson.”
The line went quiet and all I could do was stand there, hating the fact I was going to be putting both guys through the same torment every time I mentioned the other. “I see,” he said.
“He didn’t know I’d gotten a new phone, so he called Summer. I was going to just call him back, but she thinks I need to