Page 39 of It's a Date (Again)

“Oh, hey, Robbie,” I say casually, but it doesn’t come off that way. It comes off as someone that was just caught doing something wrong. But it’s not wrong, and I don’t know why I feel that way or why I’m responding the way I am.

“Don’t tell me there’s a fourth guy,” Tyler says with a laugh.

Robbie jogs down the steps and approaches the table. “Nope, just a good friend. I’m Robbie,” he says, extending his hand.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Tyler.”

Robbie firmly shakes his. “I didn’t realize you had a date today, Peyton.” His blue eyes swing to me.

“Me neither.”

“I just dropped by. Debbie had me fix her sink, and then she made us some sandwiches,” Tyler explains.

Robbie spots the last two bites I left behind on my plate. “All done?” he asks.

I nod and push it toward him. He pops it in his mouth and makes a slight moaning sound while he chews. “Debbie’s sandwiches are divine.”

“They really are. I feel like I got the better end of our deal. Ha ha,” Tyler says.

“You definitely did.” I give him a small smile.

Robbie finishes chewing and turns his attention to Tyler. “So, I hear you work construction.”

“That’s right.”

“I built a desk one time.” Robbie lifts his chin.

“The one in my home office?” I ask.

He nods.

“That’s from IKEA,” I say with a laugh.

Robbie looks to me. “Still counts.”

Tyler leans farther back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. “I build much bigger things, like buildings and houses.”

It’s like they’re having a pissing contest, and I’m not sure why.

A loud alarm startles us. Tyler pulls his phone from his pocket and silences it. “Whelp. Lunch break is over,” he says, standing from his chair and stretching his arms over his head. His shirt lifts just enough to reveal the deepVline. I can’t help but stare. I glance at Robbie. He raises a judgy brow and squints. I roll my eyes and shrug.

“It was good meeting you,” Tyler says to Robbie.

He nods in return. “Likewise.”

“I’ll walk you out,” I offer as I get up from my chair.

Tyler throws me a smile and says, “I’d like that.”

I lead him through the house and out onto the porch. Debbie isn’t inside, so I assume she’s upstairs with Maya. Tyler lingers, turning toward me.

“I had a great lunch with you.”

“Me too.”

“Thanks for letting me drop by unexpectedly,” he says. “Don’t worry. It won’t happen again.”

I bite at my lower lip. “That’d be a shame.”

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