Dr. Teeth.
Oh man, I can practically sense the nickname embedding into the folds of my brain. I hope to high heaven I’ll be able to pry it out later.
We place our orders, and Chef Conti walks away just as my phone begins to ring. I apologize profusely until I see Julia’s contact photo and arealbutterfly soars in my stomach. Did she already talk to Hannah about helping Amantha?
“Doc—I mean,Tanner, I’m so sorry, but I’ve got to take this for work. I’ll be back in a few?” I barely wait for Dr. Teeth to nod before I dodge servers on my way into the women’s bathroom.
“Oh my gosh! I amsofreaking happy you called!” I say.
“Are you, now?” A low voice vibrates through the speakers and into my soul, setting a million butterflies on fire. I hope they all burn to a crisp, the traitors.
I curse loudly, giving zero cares about who might be clutching their pearls in the bathroom stalls. “Why are you calling me, Brandon?”
“Ooh,Katie. Didn’t know you knew such filthy words. AndI’mnot. Julia’s the one who pressed call. The phone just happened to find its way into my hands.”
I can hear Julia’s muffled shouts in the background. “I’m so sorry, Kate! He gets all loopy when he’s on cold medicine. The stupid turd is a tank and I can’t—get my—phone—back.”
“Did you miss me?” he asks. “You must have been all lonely without me in our office yesterday. Don’t you fret,love. I’ll be over this cold soon, and we can finally get around to those boxing lessons.”
“Take all the time off you need,” I say. “Better yet, quit!”
He chuckles darkly. “We both know you’d miss me way too much.”
“Brandon, you’re ruining my date,” I snarl. “Let me talk to Julia.”
“A date? Ooh. Tell me more. Is Bernice there? Or is Gwendolyn the one getting married now?”
I freeze. What kind of cold medicine is heon? We never talk this blatantly about the past—ever.
I rally and say, “It’s none of your business. Let. Me. Talk. To. Julia.”
“Have you played truth or dare yet?” he asks.
“Kate!” I hear Julia’s muffled shout. “If you can hear me—tell Amantha I’m in! We can work out the details of the marketing strategy later—” A mumbled scuffle, and then, “Keep your nasty hand off my mouth, Brandon Roberts! I will call your mother this instant!”
I giggle at Brandon’s expense, but adrenaline courses through me.Julia’s in. Our plan is going to work. Amantha’s exhibition will be saved, and the museum will be too. The ecstatic moment is short-lived, however, thanks to my persistent ex.
“If the guy you’re with isn’t willing to get locked in a mini-jail inside a mattress store for you,” Brandon chuckles, “he doesn’t deserve you.”
I end the call lightning fast before he can say anything else. Cold sweat slicks my palms, and my chest rises and falls.
Brandon doesn’t know me. Not anymore, anyway.
Who is he to tell me who I deserve?WhatI deserve?
I love long-stemmed red roses and fancy dinners, alright?
But the sinking pit in my stomach knows there is no scenario dire enough to ever make Dr. Teeth bounce on a mattress for me. The phone in my palm grows heavier by the second.
Maybe Tanner doesn’t deserve me.
Or is it that I don't deserve a man like Tanner?
Either way, my smile is forced when I return to the table. Tanner’s brow slants as he takes me in.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” I exhale as I plop back into my seat. “Just work stuff.”
