I hurry because it’s obvious he needs to talk.
I pour his cup and then grab my phone to see a text from Zane.
It’s a screenshot of our friend, but more importantly, Tobias’s best friend, Natalie’s last Instagram post.
It’s a picture of her left hand with a square diamond on her ring finger. The caption doesn’t have any words. It’s just a diamond ring emoji.
I sigh. Now I know why Tobias is here. The thing is though, he’s been in such denial about his feelings for his best friend for years that I can’t help but wonder if he knows why he’s here.
As I head back to the front, I pause at the bottom of the steps to listen for Grey. Silence. That kid would sleep till lunch if I let him.
I rejoin Tobias, sitting across from him.
“So, what’s up?”
He nods. “Just hanging out. How’s your weekend?”
“So far, so good.”
“How is the nanny working out?”
“Good,” I say just as I see her round the corner, jogging toward me.
How long has she been out here? I assumed she hadn’t left yet. I’ve been out here for more than an hour.
Shit.
My eyes follow her every stride. All she’s doing is running, and I’m mesmerized by her. By the way her ponytail swings, the sweat shining off her face, the crop top that shows her stomach, the?—
“Really good, I see,” Tobias cuts into my thoughts with a low chuckle. “Clearly, you’re into her.”
“Yeah,” I say without even trying to deny it.
“Are you going to tell her or just stare at her?”
“Probably the latter.” I drink my coffee. “There are too many factors why we don’t make sense.”
“Sure. Hey, Greer!” he calls out, and she stops right in front of us, jogging in place on the sidewalk.
She should just stop moving. Stop bouncing, to be more specific.
Has it really been so long since I’ve been with a woman that I can’t just see her as any other woman trying to get a workout in?
She pulls her headphones out of her ears and then taps her watch before smiling at us.
Of course I can’t. This isn’t just any woman. This is Greer. The first woman I’ve been interested in more than just one night with since Grey’s mom.
I’m not so sure how to feel about that.
“Good morning, Tobias. You’re here early.”
He holds up his mug. “Coffee with a friend. Care to join us?”
Her gaze flashes to me, as if she’s waiting for me to give her permission.
“I’ll get you a cup,” I say.
“Okay, let me go grab my shake real quick, and I’ll be back.”
