“Okay, so hypothetically, what’s it like dating an employee?”
Danger picks up his own dumbbell and joins me. “Well, it’s fun, especially on tour, ’cause you get to spend time with your partner rather than being on opposite sides of the world. But also hard ’cause if you fight, you’re right there with each other for everyone to see and to judge. Why?”
“No reason.”
Danger snorts. “If you want to start something with Tillie, you should. You know I was against it at first, but I’m all for it now.”
I stop curling and look at him with furrowed brows, then tilt my head. “What? Why?”
“I see the way you light up around her. I haven’t seen you like that with anyone but Kati…” He trails off, and we both pause, taking a breath.
I start curling again.
“Seriously, dude, she might push your buttons, but it’s all the right buttons. You need to go for it ifsheis up for it. ’Cause trust me, being in love is worth the agony of dealing with your past. Take it from someone who knows.”
“But if I start something with Tillie, isn’t that disrespecting Katie?”
Danger shakes his head. “What’s disrespecting Katie is younotmoving on and being happy.”
“I guess.”
“No guessing about it, Ry. She would want you to move on. Katie would not want you wallowing in self-pity and being alone for the rest of your sad existence.”
“I have Lunar. She keeps me company.”
Danger laughs. “No offense, dude, but having a woman who’s like your sister as the only woman in your life besides your mom… is just sad. Tillie’s great. Plus, that whole nerd chick thing she has going on is hot as hell.”
“Shereallyis hot, isn’t she?” I smirk.
“Smokin’, dude, but don’t tell Lunar I said that. That woman would strangulate my balls in an instant.”
“Yeah…” I laugh. “Yeah, she would.”
I continue my workout as I think about Tillie’s lips against mine, her fingers running through my hair, and her body pressed against me.
Would it be so bad to allow myself to like her?
Maybe Danger is right.
Maybe dealing with my past is stopping me from living in the present.
I have this amazing woman wanting me for me, and I’m holding her at arm’s length. I curl harder and faster with a fierce determination.
Tomorrow, I’m going to try harder.
Tomorrow, I’ll be better…
Forher.
Tomorrow’s a new day, and I’m going to make it up to her.
***
At the office, there’s no sign of Tillie anywhere. It unsettles me slightly as I go in search of Oliver. I find him in his office tidying his desk like the neat freak he is.
“Hey Oliver, where’s Tillie?”
He lifts his head to look at me and exhales, rolling his eyes. “Before you get too excited… no, she hasn’t left. She’s gone to Las Vegas to talk to Zaria Shafir.”
