I don’t fail to notice the way Rob’s eyes nearly pop out of his head as he spots her or the way he makes enough room for her to squeeze in tight next to him at the table. He wastes no time flirting up a storm while I can barely even look at her, let alone speak to her. Because when her gaze connects with mine, it’s like a lightning strike to my heart. I have to look away before I do something stupid, like launch myself across the table and ravish her in full view of everyone at the bar, not to mention her brothers.
By the time we leave the bar, or more accurately, by the time we’re asked to leave the bar well after official closing time, everyone is well oiled. I’m happy Rob’s had a good time, but not so happy he’s gotten on so well with Greer.
I’ve never been the jealous type before. Greer has changed all that. Tonight my blood was running pure green. Rob’s a good-looking, charming and charismatic guy. I wouldn’t blame Greer for being interested. And there’s not a damn thing I can—or should—do about it.
Most of the crew head home, except for Rob and me, who settle in at the bar in his hotel to finish off the night.
“Want to tell me what that was all about?” he asks as the server deposits a bottle of scotch and two glasses on the table.
“What was what all about?”
Rob laughs, handing me a nearly half-full tumbler.
“You know what. Those filthy looks you were shooting my way all night. And the way you avoided talking to Greer. In fact, you barely even looked at her. And she’s a fine sight. Spill.”
Looks like Rob’s neither as drunk nor as clueless as I supposed. And maybe that’s a good thing. Because right now, I really need a sympathetic ear and a solid moral compass.
I sigh. “I’m up shit creek, man. Not a paddle in sight.”
“Yeah, I spotted that much. So, let me guess. You’ve got the hots for Greer—and who could blame you, she’s smokin’. But she’s your best friend’s little sister. That about sum it up?”
“It scratches the surface, yeah. Thing is, she feels the same. And I haven’t quite been able to keep my hands to myself.”
“Oh. Right. Well, I definitely picked up on the vibe she was interested. And how much have you had your hands on her?”
“All the way. More than once. But it can’t happen, man.”
“Because of the brothers?”
“Yeah. But also because she’s a long-term kind of girl. And that’s not for me, you know?”
“I heard that loud and clear when you broke off with, what was her name? Rebecca? In London.” He tops off my glass, which is mysteriously empty, even though I don’t remember drinking it. “She was as close as I’ve ever known you to get to an actual girlfriend.”
“And look how well that ended.” I stare off out the window and think about my relationship—maybesituationshipis a more accurate descriptor—with Rebecca, which ended badly to say the least, a little over two years ago. Looking back, it was probably what started me thinking about leaving London and coming home.
We’d been seeing each other for a couple of months when she wanted to have the where-is-this-going talk. I’m ashamed to say I panicked. I never meant for things to get as far as they did. We kind of drifted into it. And for me, even though she was a great woman and far too good for me, we were going nowhere. I had no desire to pin myself down to an exclusive arrangement. She didn’t take it well.
As she gathered up the few things she had left lying around my flat, tears running down her face, I watched on. Feeling bad for her, yet not a skerrick of regret for the ending of the relationship. Before she slammed the door for the last time she turned.
“You know what? You have so much potential. But you’re emotionally constipated, she shouted, hitting me with a full-throttle glare. “You’re thirty years old and one day you’re going to have to grow up and have a proper adult life. I’m not wasting any more of my time on a man-child. I deserve better.” And then she was gone.
I hate knowing I hurt her. She did deserve better.
Rob swirls the scotch in his glass. “Yeah, it was a shitshow and no mistake.”
“Which proves my point. I’m not boyfriend material for anyone. Much less husband material. Especially not a woman like Greer. And if I broke her heart, my best friend in the world would never forgive me.”
He takes a moment to respond, sipping his scotch and watching me with serious eyes.
“You sure forever is not for you?”
“Absolutely. I lived through the way my father broke my mother. I can’t do that to another human being. And I’m too much like him to risk it. Forever is not in my DNA.”
“Man, I saw the way you looked at each other. I wish I could tell you differently. But you’ve given me two good reasons to keep your distance. Because if you don’t, everyone is going to get hurt. Including you.”
And that’s the bottom line.
This conversation has not made me feel any better. All it did was confirm what I already knew. There’s no way Greer and I can ever be … anything. And Greer? She deserves everything.
