Page 8 of Rewind It Back

“Glad to hear it. His bachelor pad needs an upgrade. When do you start?”

“Soon, I hope. I’ll get the project overview during our staff meeting on Monday.”

She gestures to the bag on my bed. “Can I help you with anything?”

“I’ll be okay. I still need to grab the last of my boxes from the apartment when I’m downtown tonight.”

“Oh, are you working at the bar?”

“No, unfortunately. I tried to pick up a shift, but my manager denied the request. Said I’d have too many overtime hours if I worked tonight. But I do have a date and we’re meeting at the office downtown, so I’ll grab the last of the things from the apartment afterward.”

Wren perks up, leaning off the doorway. “A date? Hallie Hart, way to bury the lead.”

“Don’t get all excited.”

“Who is he?”

“A new client of Tyler’s. He recently bought a condo that Tyler is designing for him, and we crossed paths at the office a couple of weeks ago.”

“Well, don’t you sound overjoyed that a wealthy guy with great taste is taking you out on a date.”

I chuckle. “I don’t know. I’m flattered, but I’ve been out of the dating game for quite a while and frankly, I’d rather catch up on sleep. But Tyler asked me to go and I’m trying to kiss his ass so he hires me full-time when my internship is over next spring.”

“Seems like sound reasoning to me. Worst-case scenario, you meet someone new and get a free dinner out of the whole thing. Where are you guys going?”

“I’m not sure where he made reservations, but he told me to dress warm.”

“Weird.” She pushes off the doorway again, this time to leave. “Well, let me know if that shitty car of yours breaks down and you need a ride home. I’m happy to come pick you up.”

“Hey, don’t hate on my car. She’s doing just fine, thank you very much, and I don’t need her to hear you talking shit about her.”

“Hallie, I can practically smell the oil leak from here. Promise me when you get that full-time position, the first thing you’ll do is buy yourself a new car.”

I parked my “shitty” car in the farthest spot in the employee parking garage, hoping no one will notice it. Wren wasn’t entirely wrong. It’s run-down and definitely has an oil leak.

It has aneverythingleak, if I’m being honest.

I told Brian I’d meet him at the restaurant, but he was adamant about this being a one-car parking situation. He offered to pick me up at home, but this is a first date, and I don’t know the man, so there’s not a chance in hell I was going to give him my address.

The design firm is common ground.

He seems normal. He’s a handsome guy, a bit shy and nervous, but that’s okay, I think.

Truthfully, I don’t really know what my type is or if I even have one. It’s been so long since I’ve even been interested in someone that it almost seems like I’m starting from scratch and figuring out what I like. I’ve been a bit too preoccupied the last few years to think about dating.

But if I want to get all honest with myself, the idea of trying to get to know someone again sounds terrifying, and maybe that’s partly why I’ve busied myself so much over the years—as an excuse to avoid it.

So, this shy and nervous thing Brian has going for him seems safe to me.

“Are you moving here to Chicago?” I finally break the silence while he drives. “Tyler said you bought a condo here.”

“I won’t be living here full-time, no. I’ve got a place in South Florida and a house in Arizona, but I’m planning to be here every few months.”

“That’s a lot of properties to manage.”

He chuckles to himself, some of his nerves dissipating. “I have someone who takes care of them when I’m away.”

I pause. “And who is that someone?”

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