She shrugged one shoulder. “Think whatever you want.”
“Well, thanks to you, the press is having a field day looking for dirt on Cary’s new girlfriend. I have Cheryl troubleshooting this mess. And don’t think you’re getting any special treatment around here because of”—he cleared his throat in a smoker’s cough—“your boyfriend.” He emphasized the wordboyfriendlike it was a joke or something.
Tyler stormed out of Sebastien’s office, marched down the hall, and slammed her door.
Rory jumped up in alarm and bolted under her desk.
“Sorry, buddy,” she said, spotting his tail tucked tight. “I forgot you were here.” She knelt down and held out a treat. “Who wants a cookie?”
He crept out slowly, tail wagging. She handed it over like a peace offering.
Her phone vibrated—Cary was calling on FaceTime.
“Hi!” she said, not expecting his call. She lowered her phone to show Rory the screen.
“Rory!” he said. “Is that a cookie I see?”
“Why are you calling?” she asked.
“Can’t I just call to say I love you?”
She laughed. “Okay, Stevie Wonder.”
“Funny.” He gave her a goofy smile. “I’ve got an idea.”
“Uh-oh,” she teased.
He rolled his eyes. “As you know, I’m singing the anthem at the Jets’ last game.”
“It’s the last game of the regular season. They made the playoffs.”
“Like you haven’t told me a thousand times.” He paused for a second. “What do you think about Nadie singing with me?”
She smiled. “Thanks for asking, but my sister wants her to finishschool first.”
“She’ll be done in June,” he said, making a good point. “That’s a few months away.”
“It’s Dylan’s rule, not mine.”
“If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” He shrugged and rubbed his chin. “The worst she can say is no.”
“What about Sebastien?” she asked. “He’s already given me shit about this weekend.”
“I won’t tell if you don’t.”
“Okay, I’ll ask.”
After Tyler ended the call she FaceTimed her sister. Dylan was in high spirits since she’d been healthy throughout her first trimester.
“What’s up?” Dylan asked with a needle and thread between her fingers.
“What are you doing?”
“Making overalls, gender-neutral, but I still think it’s a boy. Oh, and by the way, Cary’s speech was sweet. Dad almost cried.”
“Yeah, but I’m in deep shit with Sebastien.”
“Fuck that guy.”
