Page 71 of Until You

She might have abandoned her sons, but Tyler had abandoned Eric.

The waiter came to check on them, and when he left, Tyler steered the conversation to the latest movies they’d seen. Before he knew it, Eric was telling him about marching band camp and a new video game he’d borrowed from a friend.

Watching him, Tyler smiled, trying to remember being seventeen and having his whole life ahead of him. He’d been more cynical and jaded, mad at the whole fucking world, and while he’d turned out okay in the end, he didn’t want that for Eric.

Tyler glanced at his phone to check the time. The barbecue was in an hour and a half, which meant he had another hour or so before he needed to take Eric home. Just as he was about to return his phone to his pocket, it rang.

He almost let it go to voice mail, but was surprised to see Lanie’s number. They’d exchanged numbers that morning, but he hadn’t expected to talk to her until Britt and Randy’s get-together. Maybe she wanted him to take her home after the party. He hoped she wanted him to take her home after the party.

He tried to disguise his excitement when he answered.

“Lanie.” He glanced at his kid brother and decided he didn’t give a shit what he heard. He liked Lanie, and while he planned to keep it from everyone else—at Lanie’s request—Eric didn’t know any of his friends to tell. “Did you get all your work done?”

“Yeah.” She sounded hesitant. “But I’m calling about something else, and I hope I’m not out of bounds.”

He tried to quell his anticipation. It was obvious she was still trying to keep this as light and easy as possible, and common sense suggested that seeing each other three nights in a row was too much, too soon, yet damned if he didn’t want to see her anyway. “I told you I wanted you to tell me anything you feel comfortable sharing. No rules, Lanie. We’re just going to enjoy this before you go.”

She hesitated. “Tyler, I think Britt’s on to us.”

“What makes you say that?”

“She called me after you dropped me off this morning. She says Celesta cornered her last night and told her I was lusting after you.”

Tyler nearly choked on his water. “She said that?”

“I heard it secondhand, but basically that’s the story, and the word lust was definitely used. But Britt wanted to know if I liked you and is suggesting pairing us up at their shindig.”

“Oh.” Why didn’t that idea sound as bad it should have? “So what do you suggest?”

“I think one of us should skip Britt and Randy’s barbecue.”

He blinked, sure he’d heard her wrong. “What?”

“There’s too much chemistry between us to deny it. We might be able to get away with hiding it at the next photo shoot this week, but at a party? There’s no way I’ll be able to pretend I’m not interested in you if I’m with you for a couple of hours.”

He suspected she was right.

“It will be easier for me to come up with an excuse than you, so I’m going to text her and tell her I can’t get away from work. Which isn’t actually a lie.” She laughed, but there was no humor in her voice.

He was surprised by the wave of disappointment that he wouldn’t see her. He rubbed his forehead, bumping his stitches. He flinched. “Shit.”

“You’re pissed.”

“What? No. That had nothing to do with you.” He rubbed his head again. “Lanie, I think you’re right, but let me ask you this—if you weren’t worried about her discovering us, would you still put work on the back burner and go to the barbecue?”

“Yeah, but that’s beside the point.”

“No. It’s not.” He pushed out a breath. “I’ll bow out. You go. Britt misses you, and you’re leaving in less than a month. She’ll be upset if you don’t show. I can see them anytime.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.” He glanced over at his brother. “Believe it or not, I wasn’t planning to go anyway. I’m spending the day with my brother Eric.”

“Thanks,” she said, her tone husky. “I know you’re lying about not going, and I think it’s sweet. I promise to make it up to you. I’m already thinking of several ways to show you my appreciation.”

His groin tightened, and he shifted in his seat. “I’m looking forward to it,” he said, but kept his tone conversational.

She laughed. “Your brother’s with you now, isn’t he?”

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