It’s such a strange feeling sitting in his house, eating his food, hearing about his day, and now watching him clean up. If I let myself, I could think this is what might have been. Instead of going to California—losing everything I worked so hard to become—I could’ve been here. With Tobias.
Except I couldn’t. I wasn’t enough for him back then, and that means I definitely wouldn’t be enough for him now.
Because I honestly don’t know how much of me there is left.
“I should probably get back to Bruno.” I stand from my seat. “He’s probably ready to go outside again.”
Tobias shuts off the water, lips pulling into a lopsided grin. “Is that what you named him? Bruno?” He dries his hands and rounds the island. “I’m starting to get the feeling you’re a little unoriginal in the naming department.”
I scoff, eyes widening. “Bruno is a great name.”
“Bruno means brown, Brooklyn Marie.” He points at where the poodle I gave him is snoring in a fuzzy bed on the floor. “Copper is pretty self-explanatory.” He turnsme in a different direction from the one I entered. “Remind me to tell Mariah not to ask you for baby name ideas.” One hand comes to rest on the small of my back, urging me toward a door at the end of a short hallway. “She’ll end up naming them Peach and Apricot.”
I snort, because the thought is actually kind of amusing. “And you would be so much better at it?”
“Absolutely I would be better at it.” He doesn’t even hesitate.
I know his cocky confidence is a façade. Tobias isn’t really full of himself. He just knows people think it’s funny, and he is a performer.
“And what would your suggestions be for Titus and Mariah’s twins?” I’m so distracted by the conversation, I don’t even pay attention to where he’s leading me.
“That’s easy.” He urges me down a few stairs. “Tobias if it’s a boy, and Tobiaress if it’s a girl.”
I laugh—really laugh—for the first time in… I don’t even know how long. “You are ridiculous.”
“You aren’t even the fourth person to say that to me today.” Tobias stops, stretching one arm out. “Pick your poison.”
We’re in what from the outside looks like a normal three-car garage. But what I assumed was simply a few spots side-by-side, is actually an entrance to a stupidly huge area that runs front to back instead of side to side. Line up on one side is a collection of vehicles slotted into neatly ordered parking spots. There’s a large truck, an SUV, a high-end luxury sedan, and a few classics with glittering paint jobs and shiny tires.
“I think you might have a problem.” I tip my head as I take it all in. “Do they offer some sort of inpatient program for issues likethis?”
“Nope. My mother checked.” He moves me toward the SUV and sedan. “I’m going to recommend you take one of these. They’re the easiest to maneuver, and have the best safety features.” He leans in, like he’s telling me a secret. “They also provide the best ride.”
My face is hot. Why is my face hot?
Because I’m thinking about riding. And not in a car.
I need to get out of here. Away from Tobias and whatever it is he’s doing that’s affecting me like this.
In an effort to expedite the process of escape, I quickly point at the SUV. “That one’s fine.”
I shouldn’t be accepting his offer of a vehicle loan, but if I stay and argue, I’m going to continue thinking about riding. I’m going to keep staring at his hands and forearms and thinking about how he made me dinner and asked how I wanted my steak cooked.
And then I’m going to start hoping he kisses me again.
My throat feels raspy—like it’s closing up—and I start to cough, trying to clear the sensation. It doesn’t help, but it does bring Tobias closer, concern pinching his brow.
“Are you okay? Do you need something to drink?”
I shake my head aggressively. “I’m fine.” I move toward the SUV. “Just tired.” Opening the door, I scramble up into the seat, shutting myself in and Tobias out. It’s a brand-new model, so all I have to do is push in on the break and press a button and the engine fires to life.
I put it into drive and?—
Don’t go anywhere, because Tobias is standing directly in my path, a fob dangling from his hand. “You’re gonna need this.”
Not trusting myself to act right if I don’t have something between us, I lower the window, sticking my hand out.
He drops the fob in, but before I can get away, Tobias leans into the opening, invading my space with his presence. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Brooklyn Marie.”
