Madison: You're glowing. That's the Daddy effect.
Lily: Ethan asks about you two all the time. He thinks Tyler is good for you.
Holly: When do we get to meet him properly? Like a group dinner thing?
Chloe: Soon. I’m nervous about him meeting all of you at once.
Emily: Tell him we don't bite. Much.
Chloe: That's not helping
It's Friday afternoon, and the shop is slammed. We got a last-minute corporate order for thirty drinks, someone spilled an entire gallon of milk, and the espresso machine decided to throw a tantrum right in the middle of the lunch rush.
By two p.m., I'm exhausted and irritable and behind on everything.
My phone buzzes.
Tyler: How's your day?
Chloe: Chaotic. I'll text you later.
Tyler: Did you eat lunch?
I look at the less than half-eaten protein bar I grabbed three hours ago. That wouldn’t be acceptable to him and I know it. But, I go ahead and type out a response that will appease him.
Chloe: Yes
Tyler: What did you eat?
Shit.
Chloe: I ate a protein bar.
Tyler: That's a snack, not a meal. Chloe, we talked about this.
Chloe: I'm busy. I'll eat later.
Tyler: How much later?
Chloe: In an hour.
I silence my phone and throw myself back into work.
By the time I close at six, I'm running on fumes. My head is pounding. My stomach is growling. And all I want is to go home and crash. And I never called Tyler back.
I'm locking the door when Tyler's truck pulls up.
He gets out, and one look at his face tells me I'm in trouble.
"Hey," I say weakly.
"Get in the truck." His voice is calm but firm.
"Tyler—"
"Now, Chloe."
I climb in, and he drives in silence to his apartment.
