“How’s your sister?”I press.
“She’s good.She, uh, she was asking about you,” he adds.
Something in my chest pinches, and my anxiety turns down just a notch.“Oh?”
“Yeah.Asked when you’re going to help with her cavities.”
I smile.“She knows where to find me, Monday through Friday.”
“Guess so.”The warmth in his chocolate brown eyes is nothing but inviting, and it only heaps on the guilt.
Why?Why would he put his job in jeopardy for a guy like Titas?And how in the world do I convince him to tell me the truth while promising not to get him fired in the process?And is that my problem?Or is it a natural consequence of teaming up with the devil for money?
Resolution coats my stomach as I press my arms together, giving him a solid glimpse of my boobs.“Speaking of my work, did you ever get the”—I clear my throat and steal a sip of my drink—“the, uh, the billing question figured out?”
Smooth June.Real smooth.
“Uh, yeah.It’s no longer an issue,” he announces when the waitress approaches.After ordering his drink, he turns back to me.“So, you and Ford, huh?”
I lift a shoulder, then reach for my glass.I know Ford said I could play this however I need to, but the idea of saying we aren’t together anymore?It feels wrong.Like, really wrong.But if I want to play this the way I probably should, it means I need to make Bryan think he has a chance with me.
Don’t I?
Honestly, I don’t even know why I’m here at this point.
Because your boyfriend needs you, that’s why.
“No answer, huh?”Bryan muses.
“It’s complicated,” I admit.Peeking up at him through my lashes, I take another sip of my drink, wrapping my lips around the straw.“He has a lot on his plate, you know?”
When he realizes he’s staring at my mouth, he clears his throat and shifts his gaze to mine.“I can imagine.”
“He’s still trying to wrap his head around the whole house fire thing,” I add.
“Yeah, I can imagine,” he repeats, though his voice seems more strained than before.
“I’m so glad you were there,” I continue.I reach forward and grab his wrist.“I mean, what are the odds, you know?You being on call, me showing up and having someone to talk to at the house.”I give him a shy smile.“Still wonder if I should’ve taken you up on the ride offer.”
He relaxes ever so slightly.“Nah, it’s all good.Just glad you called.”
The waitress sets a beer in front of him then disappears, leaving us alone.
“You’re a good guy, Bryan,” I decide.“You have so much on your shoulders, you know?You take care of your mom and your little sister.It's really commendable.”
His chin falls to his chest.“Nah, it’s nothing.”
“Not nothing.”I drag my thumb along the inside of his wrist.“I can imagine how difficult it would be.To live with that kind of pressure.And the obligations?”I let out a long breath.“You’re a good guy.”
“I, uh, I don’t know about that.”
“I do,” I murmur.“It’s why I was so confused.”
His eyes flick from where I’m touching him to my face.“What?”
“I just never expected you to…” I lick my lips.“You know.”
He tilts his head.“You never expected me to what?”
