Page 16 of Revamped Rucking Reaper

“Is that why you sent me a bottle of wine?”

“It’s a thank you for everything you did yesterday.”

“No need to thank me.”

“I want to. Besides, what you choose to do and who you do it with is none of my business.” I’m so glad he can’t see me wringing my hands.

“How’d you know where to send the bottle of wine?”

“I’m not stalking you, I swear. I called the limousine company for your address. They wouldn’t give it to me, but I did get them to agree to deliver the wine to you once I got the bottle to them.”

Another extended silence.

“I hope you can forgive me,” I feel compelled to add because what he isn’t saying is fraying my already shaky nerves.

“I’ll forgive you, as long as you help me drink it.”

“I bought it for you.”

“And I want to share it. I’ll pick you up in half an hour. We can call it a negotiated truce.”

I SWIRL MY FEET INthe cool water and bring the glass of wine to my lips. I know I should stop. I’ve already had two glasses, and they’ve gone straight to my head. So much so, I’m actually enjoying my alone time with Tate. I allow myself to indulge in a few more sips of this decadent treat.

“Why didn’t you accept the offer?” I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Tate shrugs and keeps his eyes glued to the water. “That’s not the life I want.” He sighs, his disappointment seeping into the night air. “Not anymore. You know,” he gives me a sly look. “We’re sitting with our feet in my pool, drinking wine together. Maybe it’s time you told me your name?”

Wow! Just when I start to think he’s not so bad, he proves he’s the same jerk that he was at his nephew’s game. “I can’t believe you forgot!”

He shakes his head. “I didn’t forget; you never told me.”

“Yes I did, when you introduced yourself.”

“Oh,” he smiles, and I thinkImight have actually forgotten my name. “You mean while you were ripping into me for being rude and accusing me of being a predator. Is that when you think you stopped to tell me your name?”

Way to make me feel like shit for something I’ve already apologized for. Just like Brandon.

“Seriously, if you told me, I would’ve made it a point to remember.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted you to like me. For Teddy’s sake,” he’s quick to add. Of course, he doesn't want to give me the wrong idea.

“Oh my god,” I cover my mouth, mentally replaying our first meeting. “I really was awful, wasn’t I?”

He moves his head from side to side as if he’s weighing my words. “Awful is a little harsh. Difficult is more like it.”

I stare at the blue water in the lighted pool. He’s right. In the moment, I thought I was being protective, but I know I’m difficult. Brandon said that all the time.

“Why’d you get so quiet?”

He brushes my hair off my shoulder with his fingertips. Fingertips I wish would brush against my cheek. Something’s changing between us. Something I can’t put my finger on. It almost feels like we’re becoming friends.

As friends, I shouldn’t enjoy his attention so much. Especially when I know he’s interested in much younger women. Women closer to my daughter’s age than mine.

“In my defense, I don’t try to be difficult.” I really don’t. I want to use the fact that I didn’t say anything more to him today about the waitress as proof, but he might find a way to use that against me to prove his point. “I was hit with a lot of news just before we met. It was a lot to process, and when I told her about it, Gemma got mad at me and said I was crazy.”

“I don’t think you’re crazy.”

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