SAWYER: Sweet as candy, angel. Sweet as candy.
TORI: You’re ridiculous. Tomorrow?
Well, that sucks. I was completely prepared to go over there right now. My excitement deflates a little.
SAWYER: Sure… You’re busy today?
TORI: Yeah, deadlines from my editor and then I have to get Cooper early from school for a dentist appointment.
Right. She has commitments and responsibilities, and I’m just a hookup buddy. I’ve got no right to her time, except whatever she chooses to give me. Damn. No lie, the reality of that leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
SAWYER: Gotcha. Okay tomorrow.
TORI: Talk later, Sawyer. And congrats again!
I stare at the phone screen for a few more minutes. Why do I feel so let down by the fact she’s rightfully prioritizing her work and her kid over me? That’s what sheshoulddo, so why does it feel so damn shitty?
Standing up, I stuff my phone in my pocket, slide on some shoes, and grab my keys. Shaking off as much of my disappointment as I can over not getting to celebrate with Tori, I decide to make Beckett take me for lunch instead. I head out on foot toward the center of town, and when I reach Beckett’s office, I take the stairs two at a time up to the floor where he works.
I push open the glass doors to the accounting firm and flash a broad smile at the administrative assistant, Colleen. She’s well used to me showing up, so doesn’t pause in her phone call, just waves me on back. I take that to mean Beck isn’t in a meeting and make my way to his office.
“Beckster, we’re going to lunch, you’re paying,” I announce, sweeping through his door.
He frowns up at me from his computer. “Today? I can’t, we just got a contract for that new cidery and I’ve got to prepare my analysis report by the end of the week.”
I perch on the corner of his desk. “Too bad, twinski, I just got promoted to beta team captain and I need to celebrate.”
Beck relaxes back in his chair. “Dude, that’s awesome. Congratulations.” Straightening back up, he pushes his glasses up his nose. “But I still can’t go out to lunch. Sorry, man.”
I pout, but he just shakes his head.
“Really? You’re gonna leave me hanging like that?”
“Yes, I am. Somehow, I think you’ll survive,” he replies wryly.
I stand up, giving him my very best unhappy sigh. “Fine. I’ll find someone else to celebrate with.”
“Probably Tori,” he mutters half under his breath.
“What did you say?”
My twin has the decency to look chagrined. “Nothing. I gotta get back to work. See you later.”
His fingers start to fly over his keyboard, and I frown at his dismissal of me. But it’s obvious he’s not going to join me, so I walk out, leaving him to his damn spreadsheets.
Colleen is off her call when I reach the front. “Don’t suppose you want to join me for lunch?” I say, half-teasing. She just gives me her typical eye roll that I get every time I try to charm the older woman.
“Not today, Sawyer Donnelly.”
Shaking my head and flashing her a wink, I leave and head home to grab my truck. I make my way to my parents’ house, only to find their driveway empty and no one home when I unlock the front door.
“Well, shit, is everyone determined to avoid me or something?” I grumble as I climb back into my truck. This fucking sucks, being alone with no one to celebrate my promotion.
Max’s words from the gym the other week choose my moment of weakness to come back to me.
“Having someone there at the end of the day is not a bad thing…”
Damn it if he isn’t right. Instead of going home to an empty apartment, I want to be going home to someone who’s waiting for me. Someone to share the good news and bad. Someone to just be happy with.
