Page 47 of Dump and Chase

“Jim knows it tall,” Ryan said.

This was bad. Maybe it was better for both of us that we moved on, but the last person I wanted Tangi to move on with was Brandon Warde. The man was an asshole. And what if they hooked up and fell in love? Got married? He’d be raising my kid.

“She just started working with him a few days ago. I’m sure there’s nothing to it,” I said at last.

Ryan looked down his nose at me. “Warde has a way of attracting all the ladies. But you know what, you relax for a bit and see how that goes. Bonehead,” he muttered.

I hated my friends.

Even though I had the next day off too, dinner and two beers weren’t sitting well, so I called it an early night and slowly walked home. So many thoughts were crammed in my head, and I didn’t know what to think. Should I do something? Or was it best to sit back for a while, let life calm down before making any decisions?

When I got to the condo, I found Tangi sitting in front of the TV, although I doubted she was watching it. She seemed more absorbed with her phone.

“Oh, hey,” she said.

“How was work?” I couldn’t just launch into questions about Warde. That would look desperate, and I wasn’t desperate. Not yet, anyway.

“Good,” she said, setting her phone down.

I sat next to her. She smelled nice, a mixture of lavender and lilac? Or was it something else? I always got it mixed up. And before I even knew what I was doing, words came tumbling out of my mouth. “I was thinking, since looking for a place is going to be a pain in the ass right now, and I don’t want to deal with moving while the season ramps up, how about I stay here for now?”

“Oh,” she said, and I could see the surprise all over her face. “I guess so. But eventually I’m going to need to convert the spare room into a nursery.”

“I’ll make sure I’m out by then,” I said, her words like a gut-punch. Clearly, she didn’t want me around in the long term, but at least I knew she’d be sticking around Vancouver.

“It’s your place, and I don’t want to kick you out,” she said. “Maybe I should look for another place?”

That wasn’t how I wanted this conversation to go. “No, no, I offered this place, and I’m not taking it back. But if I can stay here for a few weeks, just to ground myself before the start of the season, that would help.”

“It’s not a problem.”

“And we’ll both be busy, so we won’t see each other all the time. We’ll both have our freedom.”

Her forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Sure, I guess.”

“I mean, if you want to date again.”

She laughed, and every part of me ached to kiss her. She was so beautiful when she laughed and smiled. She lit up a room. No, she lit up a street block. I’d never been that happy with Brandi. Not even a little.

“I’m pregnant. The last thing I’m thinking about is going on a date.” Then she narrowed her eyes. “Is this about you? If you want to date, go ahead. But maybe give yourself a minute to be alone. You did just get out of an engagement.”

“Right. Sure. I’m taking myself off the market for a bit.”

“Probably best.”

She glanced down at her watch. “I’m going to head off to bed. Good talk,” she said, she and patted my shoulder as she walked past.

I hadn’t asked about Warde, but it sounded like nothing was going on. But knowing him like I did, it wouldn’t take him long to move on Tangi, and I had to decide if I was okay with that.

ChapterTwenty-Three

Tangi

After nearly two weeks of being the new Ravens PT, it was time to catch up with my friends. So much had happened, and while we’d texted each other constantly, it was time to sit down for a video call. It was Saturday morning, and Ethan had left for the gym, giving me privacy on my day off.

Jill was first to come online, and she waved when she saw me. Seconds later, Wolseley joined us.

“Any baby bump?” Jill asked.

---