Emma laughed. “You guys, thank you for getting me out of my own head for a second, but I seriously need a night in. Long shower. Lounging in my underwear. You know the drill.”
Lindsey sighed. “No, you need to get drilled. You’re thinking about this all backwards.”
Emma snorted. “Pretty sure that won’t solve my problem. If I wanted that, Tyler and I would’ve gotten along perfectly.”
They said their goodbyes to Vaughn, then drove through the still sleepy city. The streets were dotted with people strolling leisurely in the warm sun while others sat on patios with coffee and a book.
Calgary always put on a show like this in April, but Emma wasn’t fooled. In another week, they’d be up to their knees in spring snow. Emma rested her head against the window, watching the world drift by in a blur of colours and shapes.
The car slowed, and she lifted her head. “Thank you for forcing me out of my comfortable bed.”
Lindsey pulled her into a hug over the console. “If you change your mind . . .”
“I know. I’ll phone you, I promise. Love you, Linds.”
Emma grabbed the bouquet of flowers she’d purchased from the backseat, then stepped out of the car. She waved and turned toward the doors.
The morning sun glinted in her eyes as she walked up the path, and it wasn’t until she passed into the shadow of the building that she saw a familiar figure past the glass of the lobby doors.
Tyler.His hands were shoved in his pockets, his hair more tousled than usual.
Emma froze on the walkway as Tyler turned and stared directly at her.
ChapterTwenty-One
Emma’s heartfluttered against her ribs like a caged bird. She couldn’t run, could she? He’d already seen her, and he was probably faster anyway. She squared her shoulders, drew a shaky breath, and then forced herself to march forward and enter the building.
Tyler's hazel eyes locked onto hers as she pushed open the heavy glass doors. He was still in the clothes he’d worn the night before. Had he come straight here? Did he even have a vehicle?
A muscle in his jaw jumped as she approached. “Emma.” He whispered her name like a prayer, and something inside her cracked.She couldn’t do this.She dropped her eyes and tried to walk past him to the elevator, but he caught her elbow.
“I woke up, and you were gone—” His voice caught, and Emma couldn’t turn. Couldn’t look up. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but it still threatened to choke her. “I can pay for your ride if—”
Emma tugged her arm out of his grip. “I don’t need you to pay for my ride, Tyler.” Her insides twisted. “I need to get up to my apartment.” She reached out and pushed the elevator call button.
"Are you going to the team barbecue later?" Tyler asked.
Team barbecue? Was he serious?Emma whirled, her eyes flashing. “Doubtful.”
Tyler flinched. His tongue flicked over his lips. “I thought that might be the case, so I wanted you to know I’m not going.”
She shook her head and turned back to the elevator. “You couldn’t have texted that?” It felt like someone was pressing their thumbs against the backs of her eyes.
“I wanted—” He sighed heavily behind her. “You should go. The Snowballs were yours before they were mine.”
The light above the elevator blinked, and the bell dinged, echoing through the empty lobby. The doors couldn’t open fast enough. Emma stepped in and clutched her flowers as she hit the button for the third floor.
* * *
By four o’clock, Emma’s kitchen was spotless. She furiously scrubbed out the last refrigerator drawer, rinsed the plastic, then slid it back into place.
The barbecue started at five. Her parents had blown up their family text chain, talking about last-minute items they were picking up at the store and asking what else they should grab.Salt ‘n Vinegar or All Dressed? Molson or Stella? Clearly Canadian or the mineral water that smelled like a flavour but tasted like salt?
That last one had been from her dad. They wanted her to be there, but despite her rage cleaning, she was still barely functional. Would she really have to do much? Nobody would think anything of it if she sat in the corner and nursed whatever drink her parents decided on.
She entered her bedroom and stripped off her clothes. Finally time for that shower. She pulled up her hair and stared at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were still red-rimmed, the skin surrounding them a bit puffy.
Why would she let Tyler Bowen determine whether she went to the team barbecue? This was her family, and the Snowballs were in the playoffs—in the semifinals. She should be celebrating with them.
