“I don’t think I could be prouder. You truly are running the marathon on this and you just had your first energy gel.”
“Huh?” I ask.
“You know, the energy gels runners use when they’re running.”
“No idea what you’re talking about.”
“Perhaps you should do something other than weightlift.”
“I do plyometrics.”
Rupert nods. “Burpees?”
“Clearly.”
We stop in front of Rudder’s and I turn toward Rupert and say, “Thank you for walking me to the shop.”
“It’s not like it was a date, man.”
“If it was, you could have at least put out.”
He scoffs. “You would have to at least buy me a drink for that.”
“You’re too easy.” I chuckle. “Make sure dinner is on the table by six, I’ll be famished.”
His brow creases. “Seriously, mate, not your butler.”
I tap his cheek. “I’m paying for the holiday house. The least you can do is have dinner ready when I get home.”
With that, I tug on the door handle, only for the door to stay closed.
Rupert snorts, so I offer him a look that saysdon’t fuck with meand I knock.
And knock.
And knock again.
“Are you sure she’s in there?”
“Yes, I’m sure, she told me she’d be here at this time.” I glance at the clock on my phone. “Yeah, she should be here.” I knock some more and start saying her name. “Renley. Renley, I’m here. Gossy, open up. Open…up!”
The door flings open and she’s standing on the other side, looking extremely angry.
“Uh, hey.” I twiddle my fingers at her.
“I told you to come around to the back.”
“When?”
“I texted you.”
My jaw falls from shock. “You actually texted me?”
“I did.”
“Then I send my apologies. Didn’t realize you would attempt to contact me after you went zero contact with me.”
“If you’re going to be dramatic, then you can go back to your house.” She starts to shut the door, but I stop her.
