Wily: You told her you’d have her back. If they’re shifting locations, you need to be there for her.
He’s right. Of course he’s right.
Standing up with a sigh, I check the coast is clear before paying for my meal and heading out the door.
I don’t spot Dani at first and wonder if I’m gonna have to call her for a check-in, but then I hear Paul’s loud laughter again and turn in time to see him pull Dani into a hug.
He lifts her off the ground, and I quickly duck back into the restaurant before he spots me.
Leaning against the wall, I watch them through the window, my insides coiling as I wait to see what this hug will become.
Nothing.
It becomes nothing.
Thank fuck for that.
Paul pats her on the back before letting her go, then grins down at her. Another pat on the arm and he’s waving goodbye.
What the hell? Why isn’t he driving her home?
Dani stays on the curb, smiling and waving while he drives off. As soon as it’s clear, I jump out of the restaurant and hurry toward her.
“What gives?” I stretch my arms wide. “Why isn’t he driving you home?”
She grins up at my indignation like it’s amusing.
“What?” I frown down at her.
“He’s off to visit one of his tutoring students at the hospital. He offered to let me come, but I declined.” Her eyebrows rise, wrinkling her forehead. “He then offered to drive me home first, but I didn’t want him having to ping-pong all over town for me, so I told him I’d grab an Uber—which he offered to arrange and pay for, by the way.”
Now my eyebrows are rising. Not bad.
Her smile grows a little wider. “He also paid for lunch and was the perfect gentleman. He felt bad about having to leave early, but his student isn’t well, and he promised to check on him today.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I think so. Just a really shocking stomach bug or something. He’s severely dehydrated and had to be admitted last night. Paul wants to check in. Be a friendly face, you know.”
“That’s really nice of him.”
“Well…” Dani steps up beside me, threading her arm around mine. “Heisa really nice guy.”
I nod, not understanding this weird pull in my chest. Like a resistance.
Am I really okay with her moving on from Atlas?
What the hell? Of course I am! She deserves happiness.
Dude, shut the fuck up and just listen to her.
“But I don’t think we’ll be doing the date thing again. I’ll happily catch up as a friend, but…” She shakes her head. “There was nothing romantic about that date. I don’t think he wasfeeling it either.” She looks up and cringes. “At least I hope he wasn’t.”
Relief pulses through me.
Why?
I have no idea, but I smile down at her as we stroll along the street toward my SUV.
