Page 51 of An Engagement for Erica

“I know,” he said. “But he had control over it with work. I think behind the scenes he kept things as calm as he could. Obviously my grandfather didn’t know everything going on, but he tried.”

“He is entitled to his retirement.”

“I know,” he said. “And now I’m picking up the pieces.”

“You can do it,” she said. “But it’s not what you wanted to be doing right now, is it?”

“No,” he said quietly. “I was just getting to where I wanted at my other job. They weren’t real happy I left.”

She knew that.

During her stint consulting with her previous employers, Tucker was talked about highly. They’d even told her he would be getting a promotion soon, but she’d never said a word.

Not that she could have, but she was happy for him.

To find out he left was a shock. The way, not so much.

She was learning that Tucker would do anything for those he loved and cared for.

“I’m sure they weren’t,” she said. “They liked you a lot. They spoke very highly of you.”

“They understood, but they had a lot invested in me. I didn’t give a lot of notice. I couldn’t.”

“You did the right thing for you.”

He ran his finger over her ring. “Am I doing the right thing?”

She shrugged. “Is it hurting anyone right now? I guess you need to ask yourself that.”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said. “Or what we might have. I’m starting to think it might.”

“Don’t worry about it,” she said. “We’ll call it a fun date, in a way.”

“Thanks for that,” he said.

They ate their scones and finished their drinks. About twenty minutes had passed since they’d left TC’s room.

“We can go back up if you want,” she said.

“Might as well,” he said. “I know he’ll tire out. We won’t stay here too long. I promise. I was told they were going to try physical therapy this afternoon, after lunch. Then he’ll be tired out and want to sleep. I’ll be back to get him in the morning, but Michael will be here this afternoon.”

“I’m sure your grandfather is going to tell Michael about us,” she said. She wasn’t sure why that just occurred to her.

“He already did,” he said. “I talked to Michael.”

“So he knows this whole thing?” she asked.

“The fake engagement, yes. But I alluded to us being in a relationship. I hope that was okay. It’s not really a lie. We have at least a working one. I was hoping for more and we’ve talked about it.”

“Relax,” she said. She wasn’t used to seeing him unsure of things and didn’t like it now. “It’s all good. I just want to be informed of things so I’m not looking like an idiot.”

Like she was ten minutes later when she met TC and the first words out of his mouth were if she was moving in with Tucker.

When the name of the street was given, she had to bite her tongue not to react.

He was buying a house six down from her!

18

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